The Dove and Peace

"Why do they say the dove brings peace" (Matty Caspi – Morris and the Doves)

Even in Matti Caspi's mythological sketch, the problem of pigeons is mentioned. The pigeon, which holds an olive branch in its beak and symbolizes the coming of peace, is no less known as a real nuisance to humans, since it produces considerable amounts of waste and waste, and will not be spared even when it comes to places near human habitation, and sometimes even vice versa. This is not only an unhygienic nuisance, but it may constitute a real health hazard. Here in Haifa, too, we often encounter pigeon nesting centers.

Many people feed the pigeons crumbs, a kind of romantic custom. Children especially enjoy the commotion that occurs during feeding. They are found almost everywhere, especially when there are quite a few broken-in or abandoned houses throughout the city, which the pigeons adopt without hesitation as their nesting houses.

Pigeon nesting houses in Haifa

Who doesn't know, who hasn't seen? Abandoned houses, cracked roofs, neglected historic buildings: any such structure could become a pigeon nest - a kind of giant "roost," if you will.

For example, the Technion building on Allenby Street, from which the windows were removed about a year ago, apparently due to the intention to demolish the entire building. In the meantime, it has become a nesting house for countless pigeons – a real nuisance. So too is the old Egged building in Kiryat Eliezer, a building open on all sides and on all floors, which long ago became a shelter for pigeons.

Meyerhof Square, also in Kiryat Eliezer, is very reminiscent of London's Trafalgar Square. Well, at least when it comes to the sheer number of pigeons it houses. The square has a food market, which, based on the amount of droppings decorating its floor, can be deduced to what extent it is infested with pigeons.

And these are just a few examples. I have no doubt that every resident of the city knows countless other examples from their surroundings (you are most welcome to share in the comments at the bottom of the article which nesting places you have encountered around the city).

For the tripe – guano

In Marsha, Beit Guvrin, there is a cave called the Columbarium Cave, from the ancient world, which, unlike in ancient Roman times, was not used for burying ashes from cremation or for worship, but rather for keeping pigeons, whose meat they used to eat and whose droppings were also used as fertilizer.

The term "Guano" refers to the excrement of seabirds, bats, and marine mammals, which was once considered a valuable material for its use in agriculture and industry. Throughout history, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, guano has been used as a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, critical components for improving soil fertility.

Guano was considered an important economic resource in the 19th century, with countries such as Peru, Chile, and Bolivia becoming economic powerhouses thanks to the guano deposits discovered on islands off their coasts. The material was collected in large quantities and shipped to Europe and the United States, where it was used to fertilize agricultural crops and produce gunpowder.

The widespread demand led to a phenomenon known as the "Guano Rush," which led to struggles between countries for control of islands containing guano-rich resources. The United States even enacted the Guano Islands Act in 1856, which gave it the right to take control of uninhabited islands where guano deposits were found, in order to support the American economy. In the early 20th century, with the development of synthetic fertilizers and the production of artificial nitrogen, guano gradually diminished in importance. However, it remains a high-quality organic fertilizer and is still used in agriculture, albeit on a limited basis, to this day.

I wish that even today, someone would be found who would renew the production of this fertilizer and divert the many pigeons that fill the cities to an area designated for this purpose.

Source of a variety of diseases

Pigeons have long been a real health hazard, both due to the pungent odor emitted from their habitat and the fact that their droppings are an ideal breeding ground for a variety of disease-carrying parasites. In addition, their droppings cause damage to galvanized metals that come into contact with them, such as cars or shutters.

Among the diseases transmitted through the droppings of pigeons bitten by ticks, lice, and fleas are salmonella, encephalitis, ornithosis, West Nile fever, toxoplasmosis, and a variety of other diseases that may endanger human health. In light of this, there is unanimous agreement regarding the advisability of keeping pigeons away, and it is clear that this is necessary and even inevitable.

The health and ecological hazards

1. Leakage damage to buildings and infrastructure

• Damage to historic buildings and infrastructure – Ion-based dross contains uric acid, a highly acidic substance that causes erosion and disintegration of concrete, metals, limestone, and paint coatings. Over time, continued exposure to dross can cause irreversible damage, especially to historic buildings and public sculptures.
• Clogging gutters and damaging roofs – When sludge accumulates on roofs, gutters, and drainage systems, it creates blockages that can cause flooding and damage to structures, especially during the rainy season.
• Damage to electrical installations – Power plants, air conditioning systems and high-voltage lines are often damaged by ion discharge, which can cause electrical shorts and premature wear of critical components.

2. Health hazards – diseases transmitted from pigeon droppings

• Habitat for bacteria and fungi – Pigeon droppings are a breeding ground for the development of dangerous bacteria and fungi that can cause respiratory infections.

Common diseases associated with pigeon diarrhea:

• Salmonella – A bacterium that is transmitted through dry feces and is airborne can cause food poisoning and serious infections.
• West Nile fever – A dangerous viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on infected pigeons.
• Cryptococcus and meningitis – A fungus that develops in dry diarrhea and can cause serious infections in the central nervous system.
• Ornithosis (parrot fever) – A disease caused by a bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, which can be transmitted from animals to humans and cause flu-like symptoms and even pneumonia.

3. Health hazards – additional harmful substances in diarrhea

• Attracting insects and parasites – Pigeon droppings serve as a breeding ground for ticks, fleas, and mites, which not only bother humans but also transmit diseases.
• Risk to food stations and medical centers – Due to the high health risk, the presence of feces in places where food and medicines are prepared or stored may lead to dangerous infections and the closure of businesses due to sanitary violations. 

What do we do? And a little satire too

The Haifa Municipality does not handle birds. Citizens are required to protect themselves from this sanitary hazard.

There's a cabaret song by Georg Kreisler from the 1990s: Poisoning pigeons in the park  - Honey, let's go poison pigeons in the park."
"Let's go to the park, my dear."
Let's do something really fun,
We will sit on the grass – and poison pigeons

They are so beautiful when they swing,
Turn blue and die suddenly
We scattered bread crumbs,
Only this time with a little strychnine.
Life can be so beautiful.
When the pigeons are suffocating in the park!"

The song presents a satirical critique of humans, the way they treat animals, and perhaps even society in general. But after we had some fun – laughter aside – It is forbidden to poison pigeons.

An offense punishable by:

Poisoning pigeons (or any other animal) is prohibited in Israel for a number of legal, environmental, and ethical reasons:

Animal Cruelty Law (1994)
A law prohibiting the abuse and killing of animals in cruel ways, – poisoning pigeons is considered an act that causes great suffering to the birds before their death. The penalty for violating the law can be a significant fine and even a prison sentence of up to 3 years.

2. Animal Diseases Ordinance (1985)
Poisonings can cause toxins to spread in the environment and harm not only pigeons but also other animals, including wildlife, pets, and even humans. This law prohibits the unsupervised use of poisons, and the penalties for doing so include fines and prison sentences depending on the severity of the offense.

3. Damage to the ecological balance

Pigeons are part of the ecosystem, and their local extinction could cause unexpected consequences, such as increasing populations of harmful insects that pigeons help regulate.

4. Public health hazard

Uncontrolled poisoning may lead to other animals eating the poisoned carcasses, which could cause chain poisoning among pets and even the arrival of dangerous substances to humans.

The punishment for poisoning pigeons in Israel

according to Animal cruelty law, a prison sentence of up to 3 years or a significant financial fine.

according to Hazardous Materials LawPossession and distribution of toxins without a permit may lead to additional penalties.

If the poisoning caused environmental damage or harmed protected species, additional penalties may be added according to Environmental Protection Law.

Solutions

Instead of poisoning, legal means such as nets, spikes, ultrasonic devices, repellent gels, and natural means that are not harmful to birds can be used.

How can the problem of diarrhea be dealt with?

• Nesting Prevention – The Most Effective Way – Installing nets, spikes, and ultrasonic devices will prevent pigeons from settling on buildings and will save the need for frequent cleaning of droppings.
• Proper and controlled cleaning – It is recommended to use masks, gloves, and dedicated disinfectants when cleaning for diarrhea, to prevent inhalation of dangerous bacteria and fungi.
• Use of special coatings on buildings – There are anti-scratch materials that can be applied to sensitive surfaces to prevent dirt accumulation and abrasion.

Citizen solutions

Nets, spikes, ultrasonic devices, repellent gels.

While the Haifa Municipality does not provide treatment for the birds, residents are required to deal with the problem themselves. There are various solutions for keeping pigeons away, some based on physical methods and others on advanced technological means.

One common method is the installation of pigeon nets, which are used to block birds from entering potential nesting areas such as roofs, laundry rooms, and balconies. In addition, electrified spring coils installed on roofs and railings are used to prevent pigeons from landing, thus significantly reducing their presence near humans. These are legal and natural measures that are not harmful to birds.

Special spikes and nets prevent pigeons from landing on window sills and railings, as do ultrasonic sound devices that emit sounds that disturb pigeons but are inaudible to the human ear. Another method is the use of pigeon repellents, such as sticky gels that create a feeling of discomfort for the birds and cause them to avoid staying in the treated areas.

However, one method alone is not always enough. In some cases, in order to achieve an effective and long-term result, a combination of several solutions is required. For example, installing nets along with using ultrasonic devices can prevent nesting and cause pigeons to stay away from residential areas altogether.

I personally installed nets and spikes. The net was not hermetically sealed and one pigeon managed to get into the area, but once we discovered the hole and closed it, the net prevents pigeons from entering my balcony. In another place, above an outdoor air conditioner, where the pigeons liked to stand, I placed a heavy stone with foil under it. Pigeons do not like the rustling of foil.

My neighbor hung nylon cables flying in the wind, which rustle and give the pigeons no rest.

Proposed solutions for the municipality

According to the Pest Control and Extermination website, the municipality deals only with pests such as mosquitoes, snakes, and fire ants. It would be good if the municipality also considered treating this pest. For example, you could:

1. Installing distancing measures near food and health centers: For example, Rambam Hospital installed metal mesh on the entire facade of the main building.
2. Enforcement against pigeon feeders: For years, Trafalgar Square was identified with the many pigeons that lived there, and feeding them was an integral part of a visit. At the end of 2003, a law prohibiting the feeding of pigeons came into force, in order to combat their unchallenged control over the square and the damage they caused to Nelson's Column and the square itself. Today, feeding pigeons is an offense punishable by a fine of 50 pounds.

In conclusion

Dealing with pigeons in Haifa is an ecological and health challenge that requires effective and integrated solutions. The fact that the Haifa Municipality does not take an active approach to solving the problem leaves residents to deal with it themselves, while investing in private means to prevent the hazard. Alongside local solutions, a municipal policy is needed that will deal with the phenomenon thoroughly and allow the city's residents to live in a cleaner and safer environment. Pigeon droppings are much more than an aesthetic nuisance – they may cause serious damage to infrastructure, harm public health and attract dangerous pests. Therefore, alongside effective removal solutions, there is great importance for ongoing maintenance and maintaining hygiene in places prone to droppings.

And perhaps, I hope, there will be those who will create regulated pigeon farms, whether for the purpose of producing guano: a natural fertilizer or to create pigeon meat for eating, because as horrible as it sounds, in the past they used to eat their meat and it was considered a delicacy. (Forgive me, all vegetarians/vegans).

מWhat I didn't mention in the article is the fact that there are spectacular pigeons, there are carrier pigeons and rare pigeons that are bred for beauty and trade. All of these are acceptable to me. Here I raised the issue of pigeons that nest wildly in human residential areas and in areas of markets and food. Such pigeons are a nuisance and a health hazard.