FOI - Pigeon control [Mar 2025]

Request

Could you provide me with information on how pigeon nuisance is addressed in London?

A few guiding questions:

- How do you tackle pigeon nuisance in your city?

- Is contraception used for pigeons?

- What are the results of the approaches used (statistical data)?

- What are the budgets allocated for addressing pigeon nuisance?

- ... Any additional information is welcome.

Response:

I can confirm that the GLA does hold this information within scope of your request as below:

The Greater London Authority is responsible for City Hall, Parliament Square Gardens and Trafalgar Square. The following information relates to Trafalgar Square only.

How do you tackle pigeon nuisance in your city?

• There had been historic issues with pigeon nuisance at Trafalgar Square, this was tackled through the following means:
• Byelaws were introduced in 2003 to prohibit the feeding of birds on the GLA managed area of the Square.
• A Harris hawk is flown each morning, this predator acts as a deterrent to pigeons gathering or nesting in the vicinity.
• Although this is not a measure for tackling pigeon nuisance, our regular professional waste and cleansing service picks up litter daily, reducing other food sources

Is contraception used for pigeons?

• This method of control is not used on GLA managed areas.

What are the results of the approaches used (statistical data)?

• We do not have statistical data prior to the introduction of the byelaws. However, the daily checks are made by the pest control team consistently show low numbers of pigeons gathering on the GLA managed area.

What are the budgets allocated for addressing pigeon nuisance?

• We don’t have a budget for pigeon nuisance. Pest control, including the daily flying of the hawk forms part of a wider budget for pest control at Trafalgar Square.

Any additional information is welcome.

• If you would like any further discussion on pigeon control at Trafalgar Square, please email [email protected]