"Don't Feed Feral Pigeons" Education Activities
"Don’t Feed Feral Pigeons" Information
IntroductionFeeding wild animals and feral pigeons can cause serious environmental hygiene and animal nuisance problems. In light of the adverse impacts of feeding, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has launched a series of public education programmes, including roving exhibitions, education booths, and talks to promote the message of "Don't Feed Feral Pigeons".
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| Large congregation of feral pigeons |
Feral pigeons (Columba livia) are widely distributed worldwide and have developed from Rock Pigeons that naturally inhabit sea-cliffs and mountains. Rock, domestic and feral pigeons are all the same species and will readily interbreed. Feral pigeons are classified as domestic animals and are thus not wild animals as defined under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170).
Normally, pigeons are socially monogamous (mate for life) and they can breed at the age of 6 months. The females usually lay two eggs each time that are incubated by both parents for 17-19 days. Squabs are fed on "crop milk" by both parents and the fledging period is approximately 30 days.
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| Rock Pigeon | Domestic Pigeon | Feral Pigeon |
Most of the feral pigeons are bluish-gray in colour, with iridescent purple, blue, green, yellow and red on the neck and throat, a black sub-terminal tail band, and two black bands running transversely across the folded wing. However, due to the long history of cross-breeding programs, feral pigeons can exhibit variable plumages, such as reddish brown, black and white. In addition to plumage, you can easily identify a feral pigeon by observing the following features:
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Habitats and Habits
Sea cliffs and mountains are a good habitat for pigeons to avoid their predators, such as hawks and falcons, and increase their survival rate. A lot of feral pigeons are attracted to urban areas due to human feeding activities. They find ledges, air-conditioners, or exhaust ducts of buildings as a substitute for sea cliffs.
Feral pigeons are non-picky eaters. Different types of seeds and grains (e.g. corn, peanuts, rice), fruits and vegetables are their food in the wild. Feral pigeons are not herbivores, where they may occasionally eat worms, insects and snails.
However, due to the non-picky eating habits, feral pigeons are often attracted to food provided by humans. They consume almost any kind of food offered by humans, such as rice, bread, sushi or even fast food. As a result, a large population of feral pigeons can be found in urban areas.
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| Feral pigeons roost around air-conditioners as a substitute for sea cliffs | People feed feral pigeons with sushi and food waste | Feral pigeons are attracted and aggregated in urban areas due to feeding activities |
Problems of Feeding
Different aspects of adverse consequences of feeding feral pigeons:
- Animal Welfare
- Overweight or nutritional deficiency of the feral pigeons
- May lose the foraging instinct
- Feral pigeons in danger (e.g. on the road)
- Poor living conditions of the feral pigeons and overcrowding will increase the risk of disease and parasite transmission among the population
- Environmental Hygiene
- Fouling or damage of buildings due to pigeon droppings
- Food residue may attract pests (e.g. rats, cockroaches )
- Possible increase in the risk of disease transmission
- Nature
- Feral pigeons are exotic species to Hong Kong. Overpopulation may have negative effects on the native species of Hong Kong and affect the balance of the ecosystem.
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| Feeding by human | Feral pigeons staying on the road | Poor living conditions of the feral pigeons |
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| Large congregation of feral pigeons | Fouling of buildings |
Avian Influenza (AI) Surveillance
Upon receipt of a complaint about nuisance caused by feral pigeons, officers of AFCD will conduct a site inspection and take swab samples of bird droppings for AI testing. We also provide advice to those concerned on how to minimise the feral pigeon nuisance.
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| Sample collection of bird droppings for AI virus testing |
Education Activities
"Mission P." Educational Booths |
Feral pigeon nuisance is a common problem in many cities around the world. The congregation and overcrowding of feral pigeons not only cause environmental hygiene and nuisance problems but also often lead to human-pigeon conflicts. In Hong Kong, one of the major reasons for the congregation of feral pigeons is the public feeding activities.
To educate the public not to feed feral pigeons and raise the awareness of animal welfare, the AFCD has been setting up “Mission P.” educational booths at different venues since 2021.
To enhance public understanding of the habits of feral pigeons, the AFCD has designed an interactive mini-game.
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Let's play and learn more from the mini-game!
Details of the upcoming educational booths:
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| 20 April 2024 (Sat) - 21 April 2024 (Sun) | Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Near Nullah Road Sitting-Out Area), Prince Edward |
| 27 April 2024 (Sat) - 28 April 2024 (Sun) | Chung Sing Path near Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long (Near Yu Wing Path) |
Details of the completed educational booths:
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| Year 2023 | |
| 1 January 2023 (Sun) | Cheung Sha Wan Station Exit A1 |
| 6 January 2023 (Fri) - 8 January 2023 (Sun) | Wah Fu Estate, Pok Fu Lam |
| 14 January 2023 (Sat) - 15 January 2023 (Sun) | Fo Tan Station Exit D (Near Royal Ascot) |
| 20 January 2023 (Fri) - 21 January 2023 (Sat) | Lau Sin Street Temporary Sitting-out Area, Tin Hau |
| 28 January 2023 (Sat) - 29 January 2023 (Sun) | Nga Tau Kok Road, Nga Tau Kok (Near Ngau Tau Kok Municipal Services Building) |
| 4 February 2023 (Sat) - 5 February 2023 (Sun) | Fu Heng Estate, Tai Po |
| 11 February 2023 (Sat) - 12 February 2023 (Sun) | Chengtu Road, Aberdeen (Near Aberdeen Centre) |
| 18 February 2023 (Sat) - 19 February 2023 (Sun) | Cherry Street outside Cherry Park, Mong Kok (Near Olympian City Two) |
| 25 February 2023 (Sat) - 26 February 2023 (Sun) | Jockey Club Road, Sheung Shui (Near Tin Ping Estate) |
| 4 March 2023 (Sat) - 5 March 2023 (Sun) | Tsui Ping (North) Estate, Kwun Tong |
| 11 March 2023 (Sat) - 12 March 2023 (Sun) | Douglas Street, Central (Near Connaught Road Central) |
| 18 March 2023 (Sat) - 19 March 2023 (Sun) | Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai (Near Bowrington Road Market) |
| 25 March 2023 (Sat) - 26 March 2023 (Sun) | Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre |
| 1 April 2023 (Sat) - 2 April 2023 (Sun) | Kowloon Park |
| 8 April 2023 (Sat) - 9 April 2023 (Sun) | Ngau Tau Kok Bus Terminus (Near Amoy Gardens) |
| 15 April 2023 (Sat) - 16 April 2023 (Sun) | Wan Chai Station Exit A3 |
| 22 April 2023 (Sat) - 23 April 2023 (Sun) | Wai Wan Lane, Hung Hom (Near Hung Hom Estate) |
| 29 April 2023 (Sat) - 30 April 2023 (Sun) | Footbridge connecting Kwai Fong Plaza and Ho Chuck Centre, Kwai Tsing (Near Kwai Fong Estate) |
| 6 May 2023 (Sat) - 7 May 2023 (Sun) | Fung Tak Estate, Wong Tai Sin |
| 9 May 2023 (Tue) - 10 May 2023 (Wed) | Queen's Road Central, Central (Near Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building) |
| 13 May 2023 (Sat) - 14 May 2023 (Sun) | Tsuen King Circuit, Tsuen Wan (Near Tsuen Wan Centre) |
| 16 May 2023 (Tue) - 17 May 2023 (Wed) | Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun (Near Glorious Garden) |
| 20 May 2023 (Sat) - 21 May 2023 (Sun) | Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier |
| 23 May 2023 (Tue) - 24 May 2023 (Wed) | Po On Road, Sham Shui Po (Near Lei Cheng Uk Estate) |
| 30 May 2023 (Tue) - 31 May 2023 (Wed) | Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai (Near Oi Kwan Road Baptist Church) |
| 3 June 2023 (Sat) - 4 June 2023 (Sun) | Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan (Near Belvedere Garden Phase 1) |
| 10 June 2023 (Sat) - 11 June 2023 (Sun) | Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung (Near Fu Tung Estate) |
| 13 June 2023 (Tue) - 14 June 2023 (Wed) | Cochrane Street, Central (Near Lyndhurst Terrace) |
| 17 June 2023 (Sat) - 18 June 2023 (Sun) | Hang Hau Station Exit B |
| 24 June 2023 (Sat) - 25 June 2023 (Sun) | Victoria Park, Causeway Bay |
| 1 July 2023 (Sat) - 2 July 2023 (Sun) | Yau San Street, Yuen Long (Near Yuen Long Jockey Club Town Square) |
| 8 July 2023 (Sat) - 9 July 2023 (Sun) | Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung (Near Fui Yiu Lane) |
| 15 July 2023 (Sat) - 16 July 2023 (Sun) | Central Market, Central |
| 22 July 2023 (Sat) | Ap Lei Chau Municipal Services Building Side Entrance, Ap Lei Chau |
| 23 July 2023 (Sun) | Lei Tung Station Exit A1 (Near Marina Habitat) |
| 29 July 2023 (Sat) - 30 July 2023 (Sun) | The Urban Council Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East |
| 1 August 2023 (Tue) - 2 August 2023 (Wed) | Chun Wah Road, Nga Tau Kok (near Lok Wah Estate Community Centre) |
| 5 August 2023 (Sat) - 6 August 2023 (Sun) | Tin Tsz Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Wai |
| 10 August 2023 (Thur) - 11 August 2023 (Fri) | Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po |
| 19 August 2023 (Sat) - 20 August 2023 (Sun) | Oi Tung Estate, Shau Kei Wan |
| 26 August 2023 (Sat) - 27 August 2023 (Sun) | Spring Garden Lane Sitting-out Area, Wan Chai |
| 5 September 2023 (Tue) - 6 September 2023 (Wed) | Shun Lee Estate, Kwun Tong |
| 9 September 2023 (Sat) | Wo Muk Street, Fanling (Near Union Plaza) |
| 10 September 2023 (Sun) | Fanling Station Exit A3 |
| 16 September 2023 (Sat) - 17 September 2023 (Sun) | Sai Ying Pun Station Exit C |
| 23 September 2023 (Sat) - 24 September 2023 (Sun) | Mau Yip Road, Tseung Kwan O (Near Metro City) |
| 30 September 2023 (Sat) - 1 October 2023 (Sun) | Lok Fu Station Exit A (Near Fu Mei Street East) |
| 3 October 2023 (Tue) - 4 October 2023 (Wed) | Yuen Long Station Exit E |
| 7 October 2023 (Sat) | Sha Tin Wai Station Exit A (Near Sha Kok Estate) |
| 8 October 2023 (Sun) (Postponed due to adverse weather condition) | Sha Tin Wai Station Exit C (Near Sha Kok Estate) |
| 14 October 2023 (Sat) - 15 October 2023 (Sun) | Yau Ma Tei Station Exit C (Near Portland Street/Man Ming Lane Sitting-out Area) |
| 21 October 2023 (Sat) | Lai Chi Kok Station Exit D1 |
| 22 October 2023 (Sun) | Lai Chi Kok Road, Sham Shui Po (Near Liberte) |
| 28 October 2023 (Sat) - 29 October 2023 (Sun) | To Kwa Wan Road, Kowloon City (Near Wyler Gardens) |
| 4 November 2023 (Sat) - 5 November 2023 (Sun) | Fu Mei Street (underneath the footbridge of Wang Fu House), Lok Fu (Near Fu Keung Court, Ka Keung Court) |
| 11 November 2023 (Sat) - 12 November 2023 (Sun) | Telford Gardens |
| 18 November 2023 (Sat) - 19 November 2023 (Sun) | Heung Che Street, Tsuen Wan (Near the Footbridge to Discovery Park) |
| 25 November 2023 (Sat) - 26 November 2023 (Sun) | Tsing Luk Street Garden, Tsing Yi |
| 2 December 2023 (Sat) - 3 December 2023 (Sun) | Castle Peak Road - San Hui, Tuen Mun (Near Prime View Garden) |
| 16 December 2023 (Sat) - 17 December 2023 (Sun) | Chi Ka Lane, Fanling (Near Ka Fuk Estate) |
| 23 December 2023 (Sat) - 24 December 2023 (Sun) | Tai Ming Lane Square, Tai Po |
| 30 December 2023 (Sat) - 31 December 2023 (Sun) | Olympian City (Near Cherry Street Park) |
| Year 2024 | |
| 6 January 2024 (Sat) - 7 January 2024 (Sun) | Wah Kwai Estate, Pok Fu Lam |
| 9 January 2024 (Tue) - 10 January 2024 (Wed) | Footbridge over Che Kung Miu Road and Hung Mui Kuk Road, Tai Wai (Near Tin Sam Village and Sun Chui Estate) |
| 13 January 2024 (Sat) - 14 January 2024 (Sun) | Siu Hong Station Exit F (Near Tuen Fu Road) |
| 16 January 2024 (Tue) - 17 January 2024 (Wed) | Cheung Fat Estate, Tsing Yi |
| 23 January 2024 (Tue) - 24 January 2024 (Wed) | Sheung Shui Station Exit B1 (Near Choi Yuen Estate and Tai Ping Estate) |
| 27 January 2024 (Sat) - 28 January 2024 (Sun) | Hutchison Park, Hung Hom |
| 3 February 2024 (Sat) - 4 February 2024 (Sun) | Sai Sha Road (Near Ma On Shan Plaza) |
| 6 February 2024 (Tue) - 7 February 2024 (Wed) | Siu Hong Station Exit C (Near Siu Hong Court) |
| 17 February 2024 (Sat) - 18 February 2024 (Sun) | Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre |
| 19 February 2024 (Mon) - 20 February 2024 (Tue) | Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Tsing |
| 24 February 2024 (Sat) | Sheung Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O (Near TKO Gateway, Hau Tak Estate) |
| 25 February 2024 (Sun) | Hang Hau Station Exit B |
| 2 March 2024 (Sat) - 3 March 2024 (Sun) | Fung Yau Street North Sitting-out Area, Yuen Long |
| 5 March 2024 (Tue) - 6 March 2024 (Wed) | Fung Tak Shopping Centre, Fung Tak Estate |
| 9 March 2024 (Sat) - 10 March 2024 (Sun) | Sha Tin Wai Station Exit C (Near Sha Kok Estate) |
| 6 April 2024 (Sat) - 7 April 2024 (Sun) | Tong Shui Road, North Point (Near Fulham Court) |
