Everything you need to know about Bird Pests

Types of Bird

These birds affect homes and businesses throughout the UK most significantly. The more prevalent species should be easily identifiable for most people, but smaller birds like starlings and sparrows are commonly confused.

Common UK Bird Pests

Pigeons

Predominantly grey with blue and purple highlights, and one of the most common pests in UK cities. Scavengers by nature, they congregate in large groups where there is heavy footfall and a likely opportunity to feed on discarded food and scraps.

Seagulls

Large and white with yellow beaks. Well-known throughout seaside towns for their increasing boldness and sometimes aggression. They have been known to fly inland to cities with reliable sources of food.

Starlings

Black with short tails and yellow beaks. Small and not traditionally considered avian pests, but they nest anywhere they want, are noisy and aggressive to other birds, and feed on crops. Flocks can be hazardous to aircraft at airports.

House Sparrows

Generally pale brown and grey, with males having brighter markings in brown, black and white. They nest in roof spaces, dislodging tiles and causing significant damage with their comings and goings.

Parakeet

The most colourful bird pests. Numbers have increased significantly across London and the South-East. They nest in houses and eat food grown in gardens. Protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act - must be dealt with non-fatally.

What Do They Do?

While some birds have been known to physically attack humans, this is a very rare occurrence made more likely by the presence of food in the area. However, they can damage property with their nesting and roosting habits, and spread diseases such as E. coli and salmonella.

If they target certain gardens they can eat fruit and vegetables. Commercial properties also come under siege - pigeons and seagulls in particular are notorious for nesting in large groups, causing hygiene and disruption problems and giving building managers more headaches than usual.

What Time of Year?

Birds nest throughout the year, but the species most likely to set up home in your property are starlings and house sparrows. Starlings build a nest and lay eggs in it around mid-April. The breeding and nesting season for house sparrows runs from April to August.

Bird control work is highly seasonal because once birds are nesting, the law restricts what can be done - active nests of most species cannot be disturbed. The best time to install proofing and deterrents is before nesting begins, typically late winter through early spring. Hawking and flight programmes can be effective year-round.

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