New York City is home to a diverse range of bird species. And while it is lovely to experience these birds in local parks or perched on power lines along the road, they are a lot less fun inside your home. 3 of the most common birds you’ll find in NYC are invasive. Pigeons are a mainstay of NYC, but they were brought here by European settlers long ago. Below, we will discuss 3 invasive birds that can be harmful to your home.
How Can Birds Be a Problem for Homeowners?
Wild birds can cause several issues for homeowners. First, bird fecal matter poses a variety of health and safety issues. Fecal material can carry diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans and our pets. Bird droppings are also corrosive and acidic. Buildup of waste material can eat away at building facades and other structures. Furthermore, nesting habits from birds can wreak havoc on your home. HVAC systems, ventilation exhausts, and chimneys are common spaces for birds to build nests. By blocking these structures with nesting materials, they can affect the air quality of your home and even spread disease to you and your family.
Why Invasive Birds are a Problem
Invasive species increase competition for local animals and can make it difficult for local species to thrive. Invasive critters will also have less natural predators to combat them. Over time, they overload the habitat and can change the local ecosystem. In NYC, all three of the below species have been around for well over 100 years, leading to many generations of growth within their populations.
Feral Pigeons
The pigeons of NYC are an invasive species, and descendants of rock doves that were once domesticated. These birds were among the first waves of domesticated animals brought over from Europe, along with livestock, cats, and dogs. They are extremely resilient and very comfortable around humans. They will also eat pretty much anything available. As a result, they are very uniquely suited to the urban environs of the city.
European Starlings
The European Starling is another bird that was introduced to NYC by humans, and has become a huge problem since. They are a medium-sized bird that has dark feathers with white or light-colored specks. In the late 1800s, about 100 starlings were introduced to Central Park to diversify the bird population. However, these birds were incredibly well-suited to adapting to America. As a result, they are found in every American state except Hawaii, most of Canada, and some areas of Mexico and the Caribbean. Many experts believe that all these descend from those initial 100 birds. Starling populations are comfortable in pretty much every environment in America, from forests to urban sprawl. They eat a wide assortment of seeds and insects.
House Sparrows
Sparrows are much smaller than pigeons or starlings. House Sparrows are often identified by brown or black feathers, with white bellies. These tiny birds can eat a wide assortment of seeds, bugs, and food scraps. They can also be territorial toward other birds. Sparrows are also a non-native species, introduced to America in the 1850s from Europe.
Humane Removal of Wild Animals on Your Property
If you have birds or other wild animals living on your property, contact a licensed, humane wildlife removal specialist to remove the critters safely. Humane wildlife removal focuses on rehabitation and safe handling. Once the animals are excluded, we help repair damage caused by the animals and sanitize affected areas to remove harmful waste.