Beware of Poisoned corn! Any protection for pigeons out there?

Today during my husband's lunch hour he rang me to say he found a pigeon in the road that appeared ill. She was regurgitating corn as well as having convulsions. I came and picked up the bird and brought her to the wildlife rehabilitation center (where I work). Our wonderful vets dropped everything because they immediately recognized (from her seizures) that she had been poisoned. She was in bad shape, but they were working hard to try to get the poison out of her system and make her comfortable. The prognosis is poor, but at least she has a chance.

I phoned him to let him know that the bird had been poisoned, so he went to clean up the corn from the pavement outside. (If you see 'corn' scattered in a city I suggest clearing it away.)

Has anyone here investigated what the laws are about putting out poison for pigeons? If there are any groups working towards banning this sick, selfish and cruel practice - I would love to know about it and get involved. The city in which I live has a small population of protected falcons that are being monitored. And although I value a pigeon as much as every other bird personally, I have to wonder if more people would be against putting poisoned corn out for pigeons when it might harm other creatures that have the law on their side?

missmadison wrote:

Today during my husband's lunch hour he rang me to say he found a pigeon in the road that appeared ill. She was regurgitating corn as well as having convulsions. I came and picked up the bird and brought her to the wildlife rehabilitation center (where I work). Our wonderful vets dropped everything because they immediately recognized (from her seizures) that she had been poisoned. She was in bad shape, but they were working hard to try to get the poison out of her system and make her comfortable. The prognosis is poor, but at least she has a chance.

I phoned him to let him know that the bird had been poisoned, so he went to clean up the corn from the pavement outside. (If you see 'corn' scattered in a city I suggest clearing it away.)

Has anyone here investigated what the laws are about putting out poison for pigeons? If there are any groups working towards banning this sick, selfish and cruel practice - I would love to know about it and get involved. The city in which I live has a small population of protected falcons that are being monitored. And although I value a pigeon as much as every other bird personally, I have to wonder if more people would be against putting poisoned corn out for pigeons when it might harm other creatures that have the law on their side?

I think that's the key as Pigeons are not protected and thought of as an invasive species. They are targeted as well as House Sparrows and Starlings.
In this instance, yur hands are tied because you have no idea where the Pigeon found the poisioned corn. If there's one poisioned Pigeon though, there will be others
Thank goodness your husband came along and I hope the bird pulls though.
In Oregon, some poisions are regulated and can only be put out by a licensed exterminator. Any way of identifying the poison and working backwards? Wouldn't be a bad idea to look around the area for more sick/dead birds.

Yes, we had the same thought and he has already been looking around for more poisoned birds and any corn left around in the area where he came across the bird (though I suspect the poison is being placed on building ledges, etc. probably out of plain sight). I am all too familiar with species that are not protected, since I work with many of these birds every day but I am going to look into the regulations (if any) about putting poison out in my city - after all, The Raptor Center is monitoring a few peregrine falcon pairs and the reason they have had to work so hard to get the numbers up over the past decade or so is due to birds getting poisoned! The raptor center has a lot of support. :) Though if anyone knows of any active groups working against putting poisons out - certainly let me know!

Tell eveyone you know about what happened. Wouldn't be a bad idea to do some door knocking in the area the Pigeon was found and express concern for all species.

Do let us know how the rescued Pigeon is doing. I know we are all hoping for the best.

I'm so sorry this happened. It so sad, and pointless. I don't think these people even think about the fact that other animals could get the poison, or even the raptors who catch and eat these pigeons. Or maybe they just don't care. If you can care soooo little for one kind of bird, then you probably don't really care about the other birds or animals that may come into contact with the poisons that they leave out. Hard to believe that people can do things like this without feeling anything for the suffering of the innocent birds. This kind of thing makes me feel sick. Thank you for caring as you do, and I truly hope that the poor little pigeon pulls through. Thank you for posting this.

This is a situation that always terrifies me. The fact that any corn in a city must be suspect is also very depressing, even here where it is illegal (I think) I have been challenged when feeding pigeons corn because people thought I might be local authority. However, I was grateful for the challenge and I would suggest that you also challenge someone who is feeding the pigeons corn to gauge their reaction.

If you think that a pigeon has eaten poisoned corn then it is important to act quickly because with something like Avitrol once the poison enters the system it causes severe spasms which make it almost impossible to open the mouth and administer activated charcoal. So if you see a pigeon that you suspect has been poisoned, try to empty its crop (turn it upside down (slowly) and squeeze the crop contents out as if the crop was a plastic bag) and administer activated charcoal. This probably works quicker if administered as a slurry, but a tablet will dissolve quickly in the crop.

A vet can administer Valium (Diazepam) either im or iv. the dose for a pigeon according to my formulary is 0.2 - 1 mg per kg bodyweight.

I, as well, am so very sorry to hear of this horrific incident.

First and foremost, many to your husband for acting so quickly and to all involved in doing whatever is possible to save this poor pij.

Secondly, as your husband did, pick up the remaining contents. Not only to avoid another animal, child, etc., from becoming a victim, but to have the contents analyzed.

In answer to your question: Has anyone here investigated what the laws are about putting out poison for pigeons?

Here in the states, Avatrol seems to be the poison of choice.
Sadly, it is legal in more areas than not as long as it's used by a licensed pest control company. I would suggest researching the legality of using Avatrol in your area.

A law needs to be passed banning this horrific product entirely, everywhere.
While I was looking for some 'Avatrol' info for a previous thread I came across a video. The beginning gave a warning that the contents was very graphic. I could not bear to watch any more of it as I knew exactly what was to come. However . .
I think every lawmaker should be forced to watch such a video. I'm sure they are not all heartless.

I hope for the best for your little rescue. Please do keep us posted.

Well, I am sorry to have to say that the pigeon did not survive the poisoning. The vets did everything that they could.

I decided to contact the DNR about what happened and they were VERY interested in hearing the details of where the bird was found, what sort of poison it was, how much corn was on the pavement, etc. Given the fact that the poisoning wasn't done responsibly (the poisoned corn ending up in a public place) makes it illegal. The Raptor Center is being alerted to the fact that pigeon's are being poisoned in the city and will keep this in mind if they find any unwell raptors. They asked that I please call them if we see any more poisoned birds/corn, and although they were pretty clear that there is not a lot that we can do just based on the one episode (especially as pigeons are unprotected) repeat episodes might warrant investigation (as a pet or seriously protected raptor might be in danger.)

Sorry, I've only just seen this thread.
I was going to say what you wrote in your last post, that corn scattered about on the street is being used irresponsibly, therefore almost certainly used by someone who isn't licenced to do it. Which means that action is illegal.
In Portugal ANY poisoning is illegal, and there is an organisation called Programa Antidoto who is overseeing all cases reported. I found out, however, that it is the police who are in charge of such investigations, and the organisation only seems to be collating information -- too much façade, too little action...

You've done well to alert the Raptor Centre, as raptors (unlike pigeons, unfortunately) are protected and those who protect them will try to pursue this matter.
There are other considerations that you can use as levers, especially if the poison can be identified:
The danger it represents to children and pets: kids could touch it accidentally, pets may lick it or walk over it and then lick their paws. Alerting local surgeries/veterinary clinics/putting up posters to warn people not to let kids touch the ground there, not to walk there with their dogs -- you could, in theory, stir up a public opinion storm!
The half-life of the poison and potential consequences of it polluting the soil or water: The Environmental Health Department can join the hunt at that point.

I hope some of the above helps. I'm so sorry the pigeon didn't survive! I really understand how you feel, because an entire flock in my town has been poisoned recently (that's why I'd been swotting on this), and the only consolation I had was finding that a member of that flock that I had rehabbed did, in fact, survive.

The corn on the street was actually what the bird regurgitated - which means it was probably scattered on a window ledge or roof top most likely...either way, the corn ended up on the street and posed a threat to any pet or child that might have found it. Very good point about the environmental repercussions also! My husband also contacted a reporter from one of the local popular newspapers to see if they might write something up on it. (They previously had written an article that had a pigeon-friendly slant to it.) We actually talked about putting up some sort of flyer around the city tonight. We just need to decide on the most effective approach.

I'm glad to hear that you were able to save at least one bird from the flock that got poisoned. Rehabilitation can be heart-wrenching at times because there will always be losses, but it is completely worthwhile when a bird makes it!

Good luck with your efforts!
It might be an idea to ask around if any other birds were found poisoned. (It seems unlikely anyone would target just one bird.) That may give you a lead as to where and, hopefully, who.
Noel's surviving the poisoning wasn't down to me. I had treated him for a broken leg and a Salmonella lesion on the wing, then released him in February, as soon as he could walk and fly again. The poison incident was two weeks ago, so either it was sheer luck that he was foraging elsewhere at the time, or he didn't trust the offerings.

PS. I just found the link to the 'Antidoto' site:

http://translate.google.pt/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.antidoto-portugal.org/&ei=NLLKSsKABZGQjAef3u3dCA&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dprojecto%2Bantidoto%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26num%3D100%26newwindow%3D1

And this refers to European Community Law on the use of poisons:

The use of poison is prohibited in the Community (Directive 79/409/EEC, art. 8 conservation of wild birds, Directive 92/43/EEC, art. 15 for the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora) .
In Portugal, under the transposition of the directives mentioned above (Decree Law No. 140/99 of 24 April), as amended by Decree Law 49/2005, of 24 February, the implementation of the Berne Convention (Decree Law No. 316/89, 22 September), and the General Law for Hunting, Law No. 173/99 of September 21 and its implementing decree, Decree-Law No 202/04 of 18 August is not allowed to use any substance as a means of extermination.

missmadison wrote:

* Well, I am sorry to have to say that the pigeon did not survive the poisoning. The vets did everything that they could.

I decided to contact the DNR about what happened and they were VERY interested in hearing the details of where the bird was found, what sort of poison it was, how much corn was on the pavement, etc.
** Given the fact that the poisoning wasn't done responsibly (the poisoned corn ending up in a public place) makes it illegal.

* I'm so sorry to hear the little poisoned pij did not survive.

** Although I am glad the DNR is taking an interest in this, it angers me to the core that anyone would say because the poisoning wasn't done responsibly makes it illegal.
As far as I'm concerned, putting out poison in any manner is irresponsible and most certainly should be illegal.

We do appreciate the update, missmadison. I am very sorry you and your husband had to go through this.
Many to you both and everyone else involved in doing what they could to help this little guy.

I had just written out a long reply explaining how difficult it can be to navigate bureaucracies when it is generally acceptable to be cruel to pigeons when my young starling (blind in one eye, so now living with our flock) marched over to the computer and deleted my entire post! :WHAT?: (Maybe she wants me to write about starlings instead!) She is just starting to mimic now too by the way (too cute that I can't be annoyed at her!)

I agree with you completely Cindy...it's tiring to have to cater an argument and choose one's words just so that the right people will listen (in my opinion I shouldn't have had to mention the falcons - however I do care if any bird is being poisoned, pigeons, falcons, whatever!) But then I find it difficult to see how people can justify harming any species of animal, while caring for others.

It seems like there are a lot of groups out there who have made efforts towards stopping the poisoning of pigeons, so I'm going to look into those efforts further!

I just received this email and thought to pass it along. I would suspect that Dependers of Wildlife wouod be a good contact.

Here's the email...

Right now, America’s prairie dogs are being poisoned and suffering horrible deaths. Slowly bleeding to death -- even through their skin -- their agony can last weeks.

The cause of their deaths: the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) shocking approval of the use of two incredibly toxic poisons known to cause wildlife deaths well beyond their intended use -- Rozol and the morbidly named Kaput-D.

Defenders of Wildlife is going to court to protect prairie dogs and other prairie wildlife from these deadly poisons, but we need your support to win. Please donate today to support our emergency legal efforts.

Prairie dogs are an essential part of healthy prairie ecosystems; they are a food source for predators, maintain short vegetation, and dig burrows that many other animals also use. But these keystone mammals already have been eradicated from more than 95% of their historic range across the Great Plains!

Scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have questioned the EPA’s approval of Rozol and Kaput-D, citing serious concerns about the effects of these poisons on prairie ecosystems -- and especially on highly endangered black footed ferrets and imperiled swift fox, burrowing owls, bald and golden eagles and other wildlife linked to prairie dogs in the food chain.

Yet these poisons are now being used to kill prairie dogs, threatening many of the imperiled prairie bids and mammals that we’ve fought so hard to rescue from extinction.

Last week, we filed a lawsuit with our local allies at Audubon of Kansas challenging the use of Rozol and Kaput-D. We face a tough fight ahead as we take on the lawyers at the EPA and the well-funded legal teams of the makers of these poisons.

Help us win in court with your tax-deductible contribution to save prairie dogs and other endangered wildlife from an agonizing death.

Rozol and Kaput-D can take weeks to kill a poisoned prairie dog, making them easy prey as they become disoriented and slowly lose bodily function.

And, because these poisons can linger in a prairie dog’s carcass for weeks, animals like black-footed ferrets and birds that feed on dead or dying prairie dogs or live in contaminated burrows (as burrowing owls often do) can also inadvertently become poisoned and share the same grim fate.

The effects of Rozol and Kaput-D are widespread and dangerous. Will you help us fight in court to end the misuse of these deadly poisons and protect America's prairie wildlife?

For the Wild Ones,

Jonathan Proctor
Rocky Mountain Region Representative
Defenders of Wildlife

Excellent suggestion - Thanks Charis.

This really is a tragic story, and one of many no doubt, to be honest stories like this make me feel useless and heartbroken, i only wish i could do something to help, and i suspect so may reading this feel the same...my thoughts are with you xxxx lets hope one day things may change x