Welfare of collared doves and feral pigeons in UK urban and suburban environments.
Key Facts
Collared doves colonised the UK from Europe in the 1950s and are now widespread
Feral pigeons are descendants of domesticated rock doves and have adapted to urban life
Both species can produce multiple broods per year in urban environments
Feral pigeon population control raises significant welfare concerns
Supplementary feeding supports both species in urban areas
Welfare Considerations
Urban collared doves and feral pigeons face welfare risks from population control measures, disease, and food insecurity, requiring humane management approaches.
What You Can Do
Advocate for humane pigeon management approaches in your local area
Support wildlife organisations advising on humane urban bird management
Record collared dove population changes to assist distribution monitoring