Pigeons are often considered a nuisance in urban environments, leading to the attempted control or eradication of their populations. This study explored the perceptions of 246 staff members employed on the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk campus to ascertain the extent and nature of the perceived pigeon problem, suggested control methodologies and their anticipated results. The study found that the majority of staff do not consider the pigeons to pose a problem on the campus and that, should control be imposed, humane, non-lethal measures were preferred over eradication. The isolated pigeon-related complaints revealed that the management’s negative perceptions of the pigeons were not representative of staff members in general. The study concludes that a comprehensive public participation process is a necessary and integral part of the development and implementation of a sustainable and efficient pigeon control plan.
University campuses can be regarded as ‘small cities’ as a result of their large human populations and the various complex activities taking place on them, which have both direct and indirect impacts on the environment (Alshuwaikhat & Abubakar
Separated only by genetic variation, feral pigeons are descendants of domesticated breeds of wild speckled pigeons (Johnston & Janiga
Their demographic success and ability to adapt are also the reason why humans consider pigeons to be pests that have a negative impact on peoples’ social, economic and cultural lifestyles. These pest-like attributes are fundamentally grounded in their ‘natural’ characteristics, such as group foraging, association and habituation towards people, high reproductive rate, diet variation and alimentary storage canal (Johnston & Janiga
Fitzwater (
Bacterial, fungal and ectoparasitic health hazards relating directly to the pigeons and indirectly to their droppings (Giunchi et al.
Nevertheless, as Angier (
Nonetheless, due to pigeon biology and behaviour, they often come in conflict with peoples’ interests, consequently sparking a demand for population control and spatial placement in human environments.
Through the provision of resources, humans fundamentally contribute to, if not create, potential problem pigeon populations in urban environments. Consequentially, negative views and perceptions of these birds and their associated impacts are often heard first, resulting in the pigeons being considered as a pest about which action should be taken (Jerolmack
Regardless of the perception relating to pigeons, people are not formally consulted during the design or implementation of pest control and management plans, which not only creates a sense of isolation from the problem but also creates misconceptions relating to the impact of pigeon population on people and the affected space. It can be considered that meaningful, comprehensive and effective public participation and engagement processes can provide remedial and long-term action towards reducing and managing urban pigeon populations as well as being an important source of ideas, leading to new avenues for theoretical and empirical investigations (Shea, Thrall & Burdon
This study will investigate if these concerns do in fact reflect the opinions of staff members on the university’s campus relating to the pigeon population and the potential management thereof, which were not addressed in the paper by Harris, de Crom and Wilson (
Furthermore, this article will explore the need for formal integrated social platforms to achieve sustainable pigeon management, through the inclusion of engagement processes which can provide a comprehensive impression of public perception relating to the birds and the control thereof. In the light of the above, the perceptions and opinions of the staff members of the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Muckleneuk campus relating to the pigeon population on the Muckleneuk campus and the management thereof were investigated by addressing the following objectives:
to investigate the range of staff members’ perceptions with regard to pigeons posing a problem on campus to ascertain if staff members have formally complained about pigeons on campus to determine staff members’ choice of their preferred type of broad pigeon control, namely management, eradication or to be left alone, and the necessity thereof to determine staff members’ preference with regard to different pigeon control strategies.
Qualitative research focused on the social aspect of the research through questionnaires and interviews relating to pigeons, broad pigeon control, desired necessity of such control and potential pigeon control options as perceived by staff members based on the Muckleneuk campus.
This qualitative study made use of cross-sectional data gathering consisting of two parts.
An online questionnaire, which was electronically accessible to all staff members, irrespective of position held and demographics, between September 2013 and September 2014, was developed on SurveyMonkey, an online survey development cloud-based company. Information about the online survey encouraging participation was communicated to all Muckleneuk campus staff members throughout the year in the form of ‘e-notices’ on the official UNISA online notification system.
Data were gathered from consenting staff members with access to email notification (irrespective of positions held) on the UNISA Muckleneuk campus. Primary data were collected from the direct input of participants into the online survey. Participants provided their personal opinions and perceptions relating to pigeons and their activities, the potential impact the pigeons have on the staff members, various pigeon control options and the perceived problem on the UNISA Muckleneuk campus. Content analysis (Braun & Clarke
In addition to the online survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting participants through convenience sampling methods to corroborate, clarify and qualitatively supplement the questionnaire data. The interviews were specifically conducted to add depth and richness to data gathered through the questionnaire; thus, participant recruitment was determined by conceptual saturation. Data were recorded and transcribed and thematic content analysis (Braun & Clarke
Institutional ethical permission was received for the research (Ethics reference number: 2013/CAES/017). Ethical issues were considered in order to ensure that the rights of participants were observed, namely anonymity, respect for the dignity of persons, nonmaleficence and confidentiality (Terre Blanche, Durrheim & Painter
A total of 246 participants contributed to this study, of which 226 were online surveys (
The results are discussed as per the following main themes obtained from the questionnaires and interviews:
pigeons posing a problem pigeon-related complaints pigeon population control pigeon control measures.
As urban environments are conducive to pigeon populations, the UNISA Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria is host to a number of pigeons, both indigenous and feral. They have been reported to cause aesthetic degradation of the campus buildings as a result of faeces build up, and they are perceived as a health risk to the staff who are employed on site (L. Ntshoe [University of South Africa], pers. comm., 23 January 2013). Cleaning and nest removal has thus far been reactive and
Complaints relating to pigeons and their associated activities are often the catalyst for action to be taken against the birds irrespective of whether these complaints may be representative of the affected human population as a whole or not. The study found this to be true as the majority of participants (68%) did not consider the pigeons to pose a problem on campus regardless of management’s opinion. The participants noted that ‘they are not bothering me’ (Participant 12, male, 47 years old) and ‘they are a part of nature; they improve peoples’ understanding of animals. It [forms] a part of learning about animals’ (Participant 14, male, 25 years old), negating the existence of any pest-like qualities in pigeons and accepting them as a natural part of the working environment. Conversely, 32% of the participants supported management’s opinion and considered the pigeons and their related activities to pose a problem on campus. This, they felt, was because the birds were a nuisance, a source of lice infestations in the offices and posed health risks to staff.
While 60% of the participants who identified the birds as a problem did not provide potential solutions, those who did considered the humane discouragement of pigeons from buildings (13%), non-lethal control (12%), removal of pigeons and nests without squabs from buildings (7%), leaving the pigeons alone (4%) and lethal methods of control (4%) as viable and desired options to the perceived problem on campus.
Awareness and concern regarding the presence of pigeons in an urban environment are often brought about by people who complain about the birds and their related activities to various authorities. These complaints often initiate the desire to control pigeon populations.
Twelve per cent of the participants had complained about the pigeons and their related activities on campus over a six-year period (2009–2014) (L. Ntshoe [University of South Africa], pers. comm., 23 January 2013). These were reported to University Estates and mostly referred to the request for the removal of droppings and the fumigation of offices owing to lice infestations assumed to arise from nearby pigeons, as stated by a participant: ‘I reported about lice, Buildhelp came and fumigated (my office)’ (Participant 10, male, 43 years old), indicating that the perceived problem may be related to isolated incidents rather than regular incidents throughout the campus.
Furthermore, the request for action to be taken against the birds from the staff on campus may be related to who complains rather than being based on the actual number of complaints received by University Estates. Of the complaints and concerns raised by staff, many were in top management positions whose complaints held substantial weight and elicited a serious response. As they were in positions of authority with the influence to make decisions against the birds, the request to control the pigeon population was therefore escalated within management.
The pigeon population on campus was deemed to be problematic by management based on the concerns and complaints of staff, an opinion which is neither representative of nor justified by the majority of participants. The current reactive system wherein complaints are heard louder than praise for the pigeons has created an unrepresentative view on the issue. In order to achieve a more comprehensive impression of public perception, management should consider all interested and affected parties prior to pest-related conclusions and population control decisions.
Pigeon population management, eradication or reduction can be used to achieve control. Dobeic et al. (
Pigeon control ranges from non-existent to aggressive. Public and private authorities choose the course of action, if any, against the birds in an effort to remedy the perceived problem. Non-lethal management, lethal eradication or simply leaving the birds alone are broad control options, each achieving a different outcome. Participants view pigeon population control on the Muckleneuk campus as follows:
In an effort to ease potential conflict between people and pigeons (Krimowa
Staff perceptions of broad pigeon control options proposed to be applied to the pigeon population on the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk campus.
In response to the proposed action, 76% of participants felt that the pigeon population should rather be managed as an alternative to eradication and as a means to learn from and monitor the current population on campus as they did not feel that the birds required control. Pigeon management would provide an opportunity to monitor the population fluctuation and be informed of potential pigeon behaviour and activities that could potentially affect staff on campus. Pigeon control and monitoring are directly related, as estimates of pigeon abundance are not only essential for the assessment of population size in order to justify control but also for the choice of appropriate control methods, with a plausible estimate of their costs and effectiveness (Giunchi et al.
As the majority of participants did not feel that the pigeon population posed a problem on campus, nor required control, alternatives to conventional control measures were instead suggested, namely a designated pigeon area and discouragement from buildings.
Twenty eight per cent of participants ( ‘We should make their own area that I can go and see them. If people have a problem with the pigeons they won’t be around them.’ (Participant 5, female, 27 years old)
And:
‘There should be a place or a (piece of) land where all the pigeons can gather so we can learn about what they desire and to learn about them.’ (Participant 14, male, 25 years old)
Furthermore, participants felt that discouraging pigeons from utilising the buildings for roosting and breeding activities would force them to make use of the natural habitat on campus. This too would favour both the birds and the people. If control of the pigeons were to be imposed, participants indicated that the measures and strategies should be non-lethal and humane. This is indicative of the fact that had effective public forums requesting the input from all staff members been considered prior to intended population control, management would have been provided with these possible solutions to mitigate conflict. Nevertheless, participants also stated that should the pigeons be proven to pose a problem on campus, population management would be a suitable option; however, if the contrary were to be true, the pigeons should rather be left alone. This viewpoint was supported by 15% of the participants (
Interestingly, the majority of the interviewed participants who stated that the pigeon population should be managed were male, while those who believed the birds should be left alone were female. This finding is supported by Bremner and Park (
Less than 10% of all participants stated that the pigeon population on campus should be eradicated for health-related concerns and the nuisance they pose in the workplace (
Pigeon management should be a specific control programme which meets the identified requirements of the particular management unit while considering pigeon biological behaviour, abundance and presence; environmental factors; financial constraints; and the human association. It will ultimately provide a more integrated pigeon control strategy which may be positively received by interested and affected parties if peoples’ opinions and the consideration of animal welfare are taken into account (Krimowa
Staff perceptions of the desired necessity of pigeon control proposed to be applied to the pigeon population on the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk campus.
From
Similarly, 35% of participants indicated that pigeon management would be a solution as an alternative to eradication and as a precautionary measure to prevent the current population from potentially becoming a pest (
A relatively low number (13%) of all participants considered management of the pigeon population to be a waste of time and resources (
Less than 10% of all participants (
Gilsdorf (
Pigeon control strategies are aimed at increasing mortality, decreasing natality, resource management or a combination thereof (Haag-Wackernagel
The pest management industry has a variety of lethal and non-lethal control options available to the public to control pigeon populations perceived to be problematic in urban environments. Haag-Wackernagel (
The perceived viability and sustainable impact of a number of pigeon control strategies by participants were investigated and are shown in
Staff perceptions on the viability and sustainable impact of pigeon control strategies on the pigeon population on the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk campus.
A majority of participants indicated that pigeon control was not necessary; however, if management were to impose pigeon control on the campus, bird spikes and scare devices were indicated to be the preferred options (
Other physical structures which aid in the control of pigeons are scare devices. Hutton and Rostron (
A humane and environmentally friendly option which reduces the prevalence of pigeons in urban environments is the presence of falcons. Trained falcons disperse pigeons, and their frequent flights ensure that pigeons associate the site with danger (Ryzhov & Mursejev
Resource management, which refers to the reduction or elimination of resources, such as space which is required by pigeons for roosting and breeding activities, is another strategy for control. Clearing away of nests, when chicks are not present (for ethical and humane reasons), can deter pigeons from making use of particular areas for breeding purposes as it conveys a sense of instability. This is regarded to be a viable and sustainable option by 21% of participants (
Alternative pigeon control methods and strategies were provided by 24% of all participants (
Natality of pigeon populations can be further controlled through hormones and sterilants. The birth rate is limited through the application of chemosterilants to baited food (Dobeic et al.
The least viable and sustainable pigeon control option considered by participants was the increase of pigeon mortality through killing by shooting, poisoning and trapping. In this regard, 16% of participants indicated that trapping and removal of pigeons would have a sustainable impact on the pigeon population on campus. Killing by poisoned baits and shooting was considered to be sustainably effective by only 7% of the participants. Conversely, killing was considered to be unsustainable, as well as unacceptable, by the remaining 93% of participants (
Conflict therefore does not exclusively exist between staff members and the perceived problematic pigeon population but also between people and potential pigeon control measures. This is an aspect which should be considered during public engagement programmes prior to pigeon control implementation by University Estates management.
The perception that pigeons are a problem on the Muckleneuk campus is neither representative of the whole staff community nor justified in the number of complaints received. Instead, the idea of pigeons being pests and the subsequent request for pigeon control has originated from a vocal, influential minority which has created a distorted impression of the current situation. Regardless of the potential negative implications of having pigeon populations in close proximity to the work space, the majority of participants continued to perceive the presence of the birds as positive and did not consider the birds to be problematic in the work environment regardless of University Estates’ negative perception.
In a study conducted by Krimowa (
Pigeon population management would act as a precautionary measure, therefore implying that the pigeon population does not currently pose a problem to the university staff or infrastructure. In an effort to benefit both the birds and the staff who enjoy their presence on campus, alternative, less invasive pigeon managerial measures were suggested to minimise the birds’ potential to become a pest while simultaneously reducing the pigeon population to a healthy manageable size.
Literature and the pest-control industry mention a variety of lethal and non-lethal pigeon control measures aimed at deterring or removing the birds from identified areas. Participants in this study identified the use of scare devices and falcons as the preferred humane control strategies that would have a sustainable impact on the pigeon population on campus, relative to the other suggested control options. The erection of pigeon houses or dovecotes away from the buildings on campus was also suggested as a sustainable solution. They would serve a dual purpose by providing a welcoming environment for the pigeons to continue living on campus without negatively impacting staff or infrastructure, as well as the means to limit the hatching rate of eggs to create a small and healthy pigeon population.
Staff complaints about the presence and activities of pigeons were relatively minimal over a six-year period, implying that the pigeons were presently neither negatively impacting on the majority of staff members on campus nor displaying pest-like qualities on a large scale. The results of this study determined that stakeholders who were previously quiet prior to the proposed control of the pigeons were now the complainants against the implementation of control and management measures, as well as the lack of comprehensive engagement that allowed for multiple voices to be heard on a formal public platform. By providing staff members with the opportunity to influence and participate in the proposed pigeon control on campus, the likelihood of the plan’s effectiveness and sustainability will improve.
Staff perceptions will be incorporated into an interdisciplinary management plan for the future humane and non-lethal pigeon control of the Muckleneuk campus of UNISA.
There is limited reference to the involvement of a variety of public opinions and attitudes in the development and implementation of proposed control programmes directed at wildlife in urban environments. Research has indicated that the concerns of the public over pigeons need to be addressed as people’s associations with wildlife may have important consequences for their willingness to participate in wildlife management and conservation (Dunn et al.
Acknowledgement and thanks to the Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU), University of South Africa’s University Estates Department and the National Research Foundation (NRF) for funding.
The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
E.H. is the primary researcher. She developed the project, and collected and interpreted the data. She is responsible for drafting the article. E.P.D. is the co-supervisor of the primary researcher. She reviewed the article and approved the finalised version. A.W. is the supervisor of the primary researcher. She reviewed the article and approved the finalised version.