Pigeon flock could be given contraceptives after taking over city’s market
Pigeons could soon be fed contraceptives at Norwich Market after concerns grew over the size of flocks.
Norwich City Council is reportedly considering the measure as traders and shoppers describe pigeons as a nuisance and a health risk. But the issue divided residents, and some pigeons encouraged them to stay by feeding them.
According to the BBC, contraceptives will be stocked at bird feeders and mixed with grain to temporarily render sterile the growing flock, providing a humane and non-lethal method of population control to limit the growing flock.
Birth control trials in pigeons have been successfully implemented throughout Europe. The City of Brussels reduced its pigeon population by 66 percent between 2019 and 2023. Meanwhile, a two-year trial in Malta using contraceptive-laced feed reduced the feral pigeon population by nearly 30 percent, according to a recently published pest control report.
The birth control issue came up as part of discussion at a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday and faced opposition from dozens of dove supporters, including one person wearing a dove mask.
The council decided to ask cabinet to introduce fixed penalty notices for people who repeatedly and deliberately feed pigeons with seeds or similar food after prior warning, in order to discourage regular feeding that contributes to contamination and damage, according to meeting agenda notes.
They also said they would investigate how changes to the provisioning market could control the use of gardens and pigeon numbers, and will continue to investigate the application of humane, non-lethal methods to manage pigeon populations as recommended by respected animal welfare organisations.
Concerns have been raised that birth control pills could be eaten by other birds, especially endangered species, or predators could consume them through their prey, and the hormones could be released into the environment through bird feces, according to the BBC.
Previously the council had tried to scare pigeons using a falcon called Hazel, which was bred and trained to deter rather than hunt pigeons. The four-week pilot project was supported by councilor Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects.
He said: “We are proud of our magical medieval market and want to help our traders make it the best market in Britain and Europe.
“Some traders and residents told us pigeons were pests, so we brought Hazel here as a pilot to see if we could stop these pigeons from disturbing shoppers in a humane and safe way.”
Jenny Coupland, an activist from Peck Savers, said: “Norwich City Council, although undoubtedly well-intentioned, appears to have generally not done any research into these matters.”
He questioned the legality and effectiveness of the idea of birth control. He cited research by Flo Blackbourn, part of non-lethal pest control service Humane Wildlife Solutions, which criticized the use of birth control on birds as a means of population management, pointing out that it was “not currently a licensed option in the UK”.
“We have formally and comprehensively briefed the council on this, so if they go ahead and invest any resources into this idea, they will do so knowing it will not work,” he said.
A council spokesman said: “We are exploring a range of legal and humane ways to deter pigeons from our market as part of our wider plans to make it the best market not only in the UK but also in Europe.”
