What do wildlife rehabilitators do with pigeons?

Wildlife rehabilitators do just what their name implies: they rehab sick, injured, or otherwise impaired wildlife. If you take a pigeon to a wildlife rehabilitator, the professional will assess the bird and treat it based on its current needs. When the pigeon is ready, the rehabilitator will release it back into nature. If you're a homeowner dealing with problem pigeons, this poses a problem for you. Pigeons have a homing ability, and even if your wildlife rehabilitator is several counties away, the pigeons you take to him or her will most likely find their way back to you. Remember, it is not the wildlife rehabilitator's responsibility to prevent problem pigeons from returning to their roost. A rehabilitator simply wants to ensure the birds are healthy and happy enough to be released. If you don't want your pigeons to return to you, you should think of control methods other than trapping. Ultimately, exclusion methods work best for these birds. If they don't roost at your home, then it won't be your home they fly back to if they go to a rehabilitator.



Go back to the Westchester Bird Control home page.