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Pigeons can become difficult to control around commercial, industrial and large outdoor properties. Many property owners look for a natural alternative to chemical repellents or physical barriers.
Can falconry remove pigeons? The short answer is yes. Falconry uses the natural predator-prey relationship to drive pigeons from an area. Unlike visual predator decoys, live birds of prey actively interact with the environment and influence pigeons' behaviour.
What Is Falconry-Based Pigeon Control?
Professional falconry uses trained birds of prey to deter pest birds. The objective isn't to capture or kill pigeons, but rather to allow the birds to leave of their own volition. Because the presence and flight activity of a trained raptor creates a genuine predator threat, pigeons respond by fleeing the area and avoiding it in the future.
Falconry for pigeon removal is particularly useful for properties where pigeons can simply move from one area to another as well as in large warehouses or airport hangars.
Which Birds of Prey Are Used to Get Rid of Pigeons?
Harris's Hawks
Harris's hawks are widely used in professional bird-control programs due to their intelligence, hunting skills, and social nature. They are known for their willingness to work cooperatively with humans and can work effectively in both rural and urban environments.
Peregrine Falcons
In the wild, peregrine falcons naturally hunt pigeons. They are credited with exceptional speed and aerial hunting ability.
The team at Hawkeye had the opportunity to observe this first hand while working with the peregrine falcons at BMO field during FIFA 2026.
Other Birds of Prey
Depending on the falconry program and site, other raptors like goshawks may be trained and used to deter and get rid off pigeons naturally.
The bird selected to work with pigeons depends on the property and the falconer's professional assessment.
Why Fake Owls and Falcon Decoys Don't Get Rid of Pigeons
Most bird species recognize fairly quickly that stationary objects (no matter what they depict) don't pose a real threat and cannot really mirror a real bird of prey.
Pigeons Can Recognize That Decoys Are Not a Real Threat
Static objects cannot:
- Fly
- Pursue birds
- Change position naturally
- Respond to pigeon behaviour
Pigeons Become Accustomed to Stationary Decoys
Once birds repeatedly encounter an object without experiencing a consequence, they no longer view it as a deterrent.
Decoys Cannot Follow a Flock
A pigeon flock can simply move to another section of the property without further harassment.
Decoys Don't Address Established Roosting Behaviour
A plastic owl sitting beside a nesting location doesn't physically remove the nest or prevent pigeons from returning.
How Falconry Works to Control Pigeons
1. Property Assessment
The falconer evaluates:
- Pigeon concentration (bird pressure)
- Roosting locations
- Active nests
- Feeding areas
- Flight patterns
- Property boundaries
2. Selecting the Appropriate Bird
Bird of prey selection may be based on:
- Site characteristics
- Pigeon behaviour
- Size of the area
- Operating conditions
3. Controlled Falconry Sessions
Trained birds of prey are flown in targeted areas to create predator pressure. Sessions need to be repeated regularly until the pigeons effectively no longer perceive the area as a viable location.
4. Pigeon Dispersal
Pigeons leave the immediate area and will eventually change their behaviour to avoid the perceived threat.
5. Ongoing Monitoring
The falconry program can be adjusted according to pigeon activity and response.
Why Falconry Works Particularly Well on Large Properties
Rather than working with products or systems that break or deteriorate over time and need replacement, falconry bird control expands on the completely natural predator/prey relationship between raptors and pigeons. A large area can be controlled by one bird of prey.
Large properties often have:
- Multiple roosting areas
- Large open spaces
- Several buildings
- Large pigeon populations
- Birds moving between neighbouring properties
Treating one ledge with a physical deterrent may simply push pigeons to another part of the property. Using birds of prey allows the overall site to be actively managed, rather than protecting only one surface.
Falconry for Different Pigeon Problems
Large Pigeon Flocks
Falconry can help disperse large flocks very quickly.
Persistent Roosting
Regular predator presence can discourage pigeons from returning or new birds from establishing nesting sites.
Feeding Areas
Falconry can help move birds away while habitat modifications address the underlying food source issues.
Pigeon Nesting Around Buildings
Falconry can discourage activity around the broader property, while physical exclusion addresses specific nesting locations.
Can Falconry Get Rid of Pigeon Nests?
Falconry can discourage pigeons from returning to an area and may even get them to abandon active nests. It doesn't physically remove an established pigeon nest.
Remove or manage the nest through an appropriate professional service. As with all bird control measures, falconry and other methods work hand-in-hand and complement one another. No one method alone offers long-term success.
When Falconry Is Not the Right Pigeon Control Solution
Falconry may not be suitable or practical when:
- The problem is limited to one small area.
- The primary issue is a specific opening that can be physically sealed.
- There is no suitable area for safe falconry operations.
In these situations, solutions such as bird netting, spikes, and/or other exclusion methods may be more appropriate.
Hawkeye's Falconry-Based Pigeon Removal Services
Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control's employs professional, commercial falconers who have expertise to fly a bird of prey even in challenging or hostile environments. Our bird control technicians have extensive commercial bird-control experience, safety training, and the ability to accurately assess pigeon behaviour.
Call Hawkeye today and add a falconry component to your pigeon control program for greater long-term success.
Our commercial pigeon control and removal solutions, including falconry, are available all across Southern Ontario, including Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Ajax, Newmarket, Etobicoke, Oshawa, and Mississauga.
