Love them or shoo them, Toronto’s pigeons are doing just fine. With so many condo towers in the city, we’ve basically built them a skyline full of cliffs. Here are 3 facts about our most famous feathered residents.
WHY DO THEY LOVE OUR BALCONIES?
In the wild, rock pigeons nest on rocky cliff ledges. According to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, balconies and ledges on apartment buildings look a lot like home, so it’s no surprise they move right in. A sheltered corner behind patio furniture or storage bins is especially tempting, and nests often appear when nobody’s been using the balcony for a while.
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
The pigeons we see around town are descendants of wild European rock pigeons and domesticated carrier pigeons, says the Museum of Toronto. They aren’t closely related to the long gone passenger pigeon. The City of Toronto notes that our feral flocks are made up of abandoned domestic pigeons that adapted to urban life, where food scraps and shelter are easy to find.
HOW FAST DO THEY MULTIPLY?
Pretty fast. The City says pigeons breed as monogamous pairs, and each pair can produce about 12 new pigeons a year. They also tend to live in flocks of more than 20 birds. Chicks grow up quickly too: the Toronto Wildlife Centre says the time from hatching to leaving the nest is usually less than 4 weeks.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
If you’ve already got a nest with chicks, the kindest move is to wait. Moving a nest even a few metres can cause the parents to abandon it. After that, keep your balcony tidy, sweep away nesting material, and spend time out there. The City suggests removing food and water sources and hanging shiny strips or spinning wheels that move in the wind. Thinking about netting or spikes? Check with your condo board first, since balconies are usually common elements, and the Toronto Wildlife Centre says netting must be professionally installed so it doesn’t trap birds.
WHAT TO EXPLORE
- Read the Museum of Toronto’s Toronto Gone Wild feature on pigeons.
- Browse the City of Toronto’s pigeon facts and prevention tips.
- Save the Toronto Wildlife Centre’s advice on balcony nests.
- Next time you’re out on a city walk, look up and count the ledges our pigeons call home.
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