Abstract:
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BACKGROUND: Nicarbazin is an anti-coccidial product sometimes used as a
contraceptive to reduce the size of feral pigeon populations. However, its effectiveness
in reducing pigeon population size in cities has generated some controversy. Here, we
evaluate its effectiveness in Barcelona city.
RESULTS: We set 23 feeding stations in which we provided nicarbazin and 10 feeding
stations with a placebo (untreated corn). Censuses were carried out before and after
one year of treatment, in radii of 200 m around each feeder. We additionally censused
28 circles of 200 m of radius distributed randomly 200 m away from the feeders and 28
circles distributed >500 m away from the feeders, which acted as controls. Population
size across the whole city was also evaluated pre- and post-treatment. We found that
feral pigeon density did not change after one year of treatment, either in the circles
around feeding stations with nicarbazin or in the areas around control stations
distributed at 200 and >500 m from the feeders. Population size in placebo circles rose
after a year by 10%. The pigeon census for the whole city of Barcelona showed a 10%
increase.
CONCLUSION: Overall, our results indicate that the nicarbazin treatment had no effect
on the feral pigeon population size, and we advise against its use as a pigeon control
method, at least in large cities.
Keywords: Feral pigeon, Columba livia; nicarbazin; contraceptives; population size
control |