Pigeons Nesting Season [2021] -

Moving a nest is illegal in many regions (thanks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which oddly protects pigeons in some areas but not others—check local laws). Even if it’s legal, moving the nest 10 feet will cause the parents to abandon it.

While most birds have a frantic three-week window to reproduce, pigeons operate on a different schedule. Understanding this unique cycle is the key to coexisting with our most misunderstood feathered neighbors. Unlike the seasonal breeders we learned about in grade school, pigeons are opportunistic breeders . If there is food, water, and shelter, they are ready to nest. In a warm city with plenty of dropped french fries and heated subway vents, pigeons can successfully raise up to six broods a year. pigeons nesting season

When you think of nesting season, you probably picture robins pulling worms from a dewy lawn in May, or sparrows chirping noisily under the eaves in June. You likely don’t picture a plump, iridescent pigeon balancing a twig on a 12th-story air conditioning unit in the middle of February. Moving a nest is illegal in many regions

So next time you see a disheveled pile of twigs on a CVS awning, remember: that’s someone’s home. Nesting season is here, whether the calendar agrees or not. Have you spotted a nest on your fire escape? Let us know in the comments—and please, don’t poke the twigs. Understanding this unique cycle is the key to