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A cantonal initiative calls for dovecotes in Basel. The experiences in other cities are mixed. While Winterthur has had good experiences with pigeon lofts, there are doubts in Zurich.
No bird polarizes like the pigeon. While some feed them lovingly despite prohibitions, others associate them with disease, excrement and poverty. “We use dovecotes to get the animals off the streets,” says initiator Renée Winkler. “All the dirt that is now stuck to the house facades will then be in the dovecote.”
We use dovecotes to get the animals off the streets.
Winkler has launched a cantonal initiative that demands that Basel set up pigeon lofts again. And she believes there is a good chance that the demand will be well received by the population. “Those who like pigeons and those who don’t like them will sign,” is her prediction.
How many pigeons there are in Basel is unknown. Nobody counts them. But many people fend them off: with nets and sharp objects on house facades. These defensive measures are aimed primarily at the dirt that pigeons often leave behind. The intention is understandable, says Winkler. But: Some pigeons would get tangled in the nets: “These animals then die a painful death.”
Legend:
Feeding pigeons is forbidden in many cities. However, the population often does not adhere to the ban.
Keystone/Urs Flueeler
The responsible Basel health department is skeptical about the matter. Basel closed its old dovecotes years ago because they were hardly of any use, says media spokeswoman Anne Tschudin. “We were only able to look after about ten percent of the pigeon population.” The benefits were small, but the costs were high.
City pigeons leave a lot of dirt behind
In 2016, Basel closed the last dovecote. Feeding pigeons is prohibited. There is a risk of a fine of 100 francs for those who do it anyway. However, this ban is often ignored.
Mixed experiences in other cities
However, other city authorities, including in Zurich, also doubt whether dovecotes are a good solution. Zurich is trying to regulate the number of pigeons with three dovecotes.
“Moderate success in Zurich”
However, this was done with “moderate success,” as can be read on the city of Zurich’s website: “This is mainly because private individuals provide large amounts of food for the feral domestic pigeons.” However, pigeons that are fed in urban areas could not be tied to a dovecote. And this despite the fact that feeding the animals is also forbidden in Zurich.
Legend:
Stopping feeding pigeons is considered an effective way to control the population. Nevertheless, many do not adhere to the bans.
IMAGO / Wolfgang Maria Weber
Winterthur has better experiences. The two dovecotes are checked and cleaned daily, according to the city of Winterthur. In addition, the nests are cleaned after breeding so that no parasites can settle. “Thanks to all of these measures, the city of Winterthur has a healthy population of street pigeons.”
Good experiences in Bern and Lucerne
The city of Bern has outsourced “pigeon management”. The zoo has been taking care of it since 2010. And there people are convinced of pigeon cots. In any case, the park is looking for locations for new dovecotes throughout the city.
However, the most important thing when dealing with city pigeons is to limit feeding as much as possible.
Lucerne has also reported success with the beatings: the animals are less sick and the number of animals has been reduced. However, the Lucerne environmental consultancy writes: “The most important thing when dealing with city pigeons is still to limit feeding as much as possible.”