|
Bird Facts
Canada
geese - did you know?
- A single goose produces 3 pounds of droppings per day. 9
- Geese are responsible for the closing of many beaches and
parks throughout the US because of dangerously high bacteria
(ecoli) levels due to their droppings. 9
- Canada geese include 17 varieties, ranging in size from
the 2-3 lb. Crackling to the 10-20 lb. Giant that was considered
extinct in the mid-1950’s and is now the most common
type of goose east of the Mississippi River. 4
- Resident geese mate earlier (late March), have a higher
survival rate and can live 20+ years. 6
- The number of resident geese in NJ has more than doubled
in the past
10 years. 5
- Roughly 85,000 geese live in Ohio and over one million
in the Mississippi
River basin. 7
- At sexual maturity, about three years of age, geese will
return to the same lake where they first learned to fly, mate
and establish a nesting territory. 4
- It is believed geese mate for life, but if one dies, the
other will quickly find
another mate. 4
- A nest is approximately 3 feet in diameter and the average
number of
eggs is 5, although geese can lay up to 12 eggs and nests
have been
found with over 32 eggs. 8
- Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
If you harm a
goose, or attempt to, in Ohio it can cost you $250.00 and
30 days in jail. 5
Mallard ducks – did you know?
Flu viruses can live in ducks up to four weeks during which
time they can easily be transmitted to livestock and humans.
The ducks will never become ill because they have a gene that
produces virus-killing antibodies. 2
- Ducks are believed to have been responsible for the Spanish
Flu in 1918
that killed 25 million people, and for the Hong Kong Flu in
1968 that
killed over a million people. 2
- Birds and their droppings can spread over 60 different
diseases – many
can be deadly. 3
- The Mallard duck population has increased over 37% since
1967, and
25% since 1996. 1
- The 1990 duck population was estimated at 25.1 million,
the current
1997 population is estimated to be well over 42.6 million. 1
Ref: Rid-A-Bird, Inc. 1217 W. Third
St. Wilton, IA 52778
General Pigeon Facts
Pigeons are very common birds found all over the world. A pigeon's home range is normally within
one square mile but they will travel distances of 10 miles or more in search for food. When they lift
their bodies off the ground to fly, a clicking sound can be heard which is the touching of their wing tips.
Pigeon wings can beat approximately 10 times per second. Pigeons were originally domesticated birds,
but have since become feral, and are now the most common bird pest known to humans 10.
A pair of adult pigeons can breed up to six times a year and will usually lay two eggs each time
If food is readily available, the pigeons will continue to breed at this rate and numbers of birds in the flock will rise
dramatically. If however, the food supply is reduced, the flock size will reduce.
Pigeons control their own numbers very effectively and a reduction in the food supply does not mean the birds
will die of starvation, it just means that they will breed less often.
Fedal pigeons are descended from Rock Doves and interbred with racing pigeons and pigeons from domestic
pigeon lofts.
Colors may vary considerably from blue-gray through blues, reds, mottled paterns and charcoal to almost pure white
Pigeons roost and nest on horizontal surfaces on buildings and other structures that provide a small amount of shelter.
Balconies, flat roofs, ledges, loft spaces and empty buildings are often used if the birds have access.
Nests are constructed of manure but can also contain rubbish such as pieces of plastic, they may even be built
on or near the dead bodies of other pigeons.
Their natural food is grain and green vegetable matter but they will scavenge foodstuff available such as dropped takeout
food
Peak breeding season is between March and september but fedal pigeons can breed all year round in the southern states.
Normally two eggs are laid with two-four broods each year. The eggs are incubated for 18-19 days and the hatched chicks are
fledged and leave the nest after 30-37 days.
20% of people spell pigeon and pigeons the wong way, incorrectly adding the letter 'd'. Thus making whe word
pidgeon and pidgeons
Pigeon Problems
Contact with pigeon droppings may pose a health risk.
Nesting materials can cause blockage to gutters and rainwater pipes, which could result in penetrating
dampness and structure damage.
Pigeon droppings make buildings look unsightly and can cause corrosion.
Droppings can foul footpaths, fire escapes and sidewalks, which then become slippery and hazardous. 11 The
pollution is then carried and transferred into buildings.
Pigeons are carriers of a number of diseases
Pigeons are carriers of a number of diseases, some of which are transmitted to humans. They also harbour fleas,
mites and other insects in their nests. They are often referred to as flying rats for these reasons.
Pigeons carry pigeon ornithosis psittacosis) encephalitis, Newcastle disease, toxoplasmosis, salmonella food
poisoning and other diseases. Pigeon ectoparasites such as mites, fleas, ticks and bugs may readily bit people.
HISTOPLASMOSIS is a fungus disease contracted through airbourne spores in pigeon droppings. If the bird have
been on your roof for a while, these spores can even infect the soil in your garden down below. Its symptoms may be anything
from a mild influenza to blood abnormalities and fever.
CRYPTOCOCCOSIS, one of the commonly carried pigeon diseases, infects the lungs of humans. It is transmitted by
inhaling the yeast-like cells of the organism. Cryptococcosis can also cause acne-like ulcers on the skin.
TOXOPLSMOSIS is an infection that invades human tissue and can severly damage the central nervous system, especially
in babies. Pregnant women are in extreme danger id infected with toxoplasmosis.
ORNITHOSIS causes fever, chills, fatigue, a rash and lung problems such as shortness of breath and a cough. It can
also lead to rales, which are small clicking, bubbling or rattling sounds coming from the lungs. 10
What You Need to Know About Bird Flu
Bird Flu (Avian Influenza A H5N1) occurs naturally in the bird
population. It is carried in the intestinal tract of wild birds
and generally does not cause them to become ill. However, it
is very contagious and can make some domesticated bird species
such as chickens, ducks and turkey, very sick, and often kills
them.
The virus can spread rapidly through flocks, causing widespread
death. When a flock is infected, all the birds must be destroyed
to prevent the spread of the virus. So why are humans concerned?
Perhaps you’ve heard of the bird flu virus called H5N1.
This is a type of virus that has not infected humans, historically.
We’ve built up almost no resistance to it, so the virus
could spread rapidly through humans if it took hold. And that
has public health officials worried, for four reasons:
- The virus has already been found in humans. So far, only
a few hundred people in Asia, but that proves the virus can
infect us.
- It is highly lethal, killing more than half of the people
who were infected. The typical influenza is lethal in far
less than 1 percent of those infected.
- At this time there is no vaccine to prevent spread of the
virus and to protect people against infection.
- Drug treatment is limited and inadequate. Two antiviral
drugs may be effective, but they are in limited supply and
of uncertain value.
No one knows if or when a bird flu global epidemic will occur.
For now, humans should maintain their health, and keep as
much distance from birds as possible!
1 K.&G. Harrison, “Shotting
for a Record,” Sports Afield, p. 95-98, September, 1997.
2 Craig S. Smith, “Virus Spreading By Ducks Spurs Immunologists,”
Wall Street Journal, p. B1, October 20, 1995.
3 M. Trunko, “Banishing Birds From Your Hangars”,
Airport Services Management, p.29, June 1985.
4 ”Waterfowl Conflict Guidelines,” Ohio Dept. Of
Natural Resources, Columbus, Ohio, p.1.
5 Tom Avril, “A Gander At Geese,” The Star-Ledger,
September 15, 1995.
6 William Quarles, “Manageing Urban Canada Geese or The
Geese That Wouldn’t Leave,” Common Sense Pest Control,
Vol. 11, No. 3, p. 6&7.
7 James Hannah, “Complaints about Canada Geese,”
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, p. B4, September 2, 1999.
8 William Quarles, “Managing Urban Canada Geese or The
Geese That Wouldn’t Leave,” Common Sense Pest Control,
Vol. 11, No. 3, P.6.
9 “States Can Become Greater Geese Police”, Golf
Course Superintendents News, p.22, September, 1999.
10 http://www.unitedwildlife.com/animalspigeons.html, 2006
11 http://www.croydon.gov.uk, 2006
|
