Feral pigeons are ubiquitous urban birds that are often managed through methods causing significant welfare harm. Humane alternatives support both bird welfare and effective population management.
Feral pigeons suffer from poorly regulated control methods including rodenticide poisoning (which causes internal bleeding and prolonged death) and poorly maintained spike and netting installations that trap and injure birds. Lethal control rarely achieves lasting population reduction. Pigeon contraception programs using nicarbazin bait have successfully stabilized urban populations in multiple cities without causing direct harm. Coexistence strategies recognize pigeons as sentient animals deserving humane treatment.