Urban pigeon populations generate conflict in cities. Welfare-respecting management approaches use fertility control and habitat modification rather than lethal control to manage populations.
Urban pigeon management illustrates how welfare-respecting approaches can be more effective than lethal ones. Culling temporarily reduces numbers but populations recover rapidly. Fertility control addresses the root cause of population growth and achieves lasting results without the welfare costs of killing. Educating the public about the role of intentional and unintentional feeding in sustaining pigeon populations is also essential for long-term management.