Pigeons and doves
The family Columbidae is recognized in agricultural practices as a significant pest that can cause substantial damage to commercial crops. While these birds are often viewed as part of the natural landscape, their tendency to gather in large flocks near agricultural fields creates serious challenges for crop production and yield optimization.
What the section contains
Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia capicola
Collared dove
Streptopelia decaocto
Eared dove
Zenaida auriculata
European turtle dove
Streptopelia turtur
Laughing dove
Streptopelia senegalensis
Mourning dove
Zenaida macroura
Oriental turtle dove
Streptopelia orientalis
Red-eyed dove
Streptopelia semitorquata
Rock dove
Columba livia
Rock dove
Columba
Spotted dove
Streptopelia chinensis
Stock dove
Columba oenas
Turtle doves
Streptopelia
White-winged dove
Zenaida asiatica
Wood pigeon
Columba palumbus
Zenaida
Zenaida
Pigeons and doves
Pigeons and doves primarily target cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and corn, as well as oilseed crops like sunflowers. Damage is most critical during the sowing season, when birds unearth or consume seeds from the soil, directly reducing plant stand density and necessitating costly reseeding or resulting in lower overall crop yields.
The biology of Columbidae involves high reproductive rates and significant adaptability to human-altered environments. Pigeons are intelligent birds with strong site fidelity, meaning once they locate a source of food, they will continue to return to the same location. This behavior ensures that bird damage remains persistent throughout the growth stages of the crops.
The damage caused by these birds goes beyond just seed consumption. Pigeons also graze on young seedlings, damaging their development and impacting the potential of the final harvest. Furthermore, their presence in large numbers leads to the contamination of fields with droppings, which can lower the quality of harvested produce and potentially spread various agricultural pathogens.
Effective management and protection strategies are essential for reducing the impact of Columbidae on farming operations:
- deployment of bio-acoustic bird deterrent systems;
- use of visual scare devices, such as reflective tape or hawk silhouettes;
- application of repellent seed coatings to discourage foraging;
- installation of netting or exclusion systems for high-value or greenhouse crops.