Construction, demolition, and poor building design can lead to wildlife issues, especially with species like pigeons. Learn how wildlife moves into disused buildings, why demolitions create new problems, and how to design structures to minimize these risks.
Why Building Work Creates Wildlife Problems
How Old Buildings Attract Wildlife
Vacant and neglected buildings often provide ideal conditions for wildlife, particularly birds like pigeons.
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Entry Points: Broken windows, rusted panels, and loose roofing create easy access for animals.
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Safe Shelter: Vacant buildings provide nesting sites free from predators and human disturbance.
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Flocks Grow Over Time: With no intervention, bird populations can multiply, creating larger infestations.
Real-Life Example in Brisbane
On Brisbane’s south side, a neglected shopping center became home to over 300 pigeons. The lack of maintenance led to:
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Rusted and loose corrugated sheets that created entry points.
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Unchecked nesting, allowing the pigeon flock to grow exponentially.
What Happens When Buildings Are Demolished?
When wildlife-infested buildings are demolished, the animals often remain in the area, creating new problems.
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Immediate Invasions: After demolition, displaced pigeons move into nearby buildings, searching for new nesting sites.
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Attachment to Birthplace: Pigeons, particularly feral rock doves, are highly attached to the location where they were born and tend to return to the same site.
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Challenges for New Construction: When new buildings replace the demolished structure, the pigeons often view the new structure as their “home base.”
How Poor Building Design Encourages Wildlife
Certain architectural features make new buildings more attractive to wildlife, particularly birds.
Features That Attract Birds
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Cantilevered Arches and Open Web Trusses: Provide ample perches and nesting spots.
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Capital “I” Beams: Create crevices for birds to sit or nest.
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Overhangs and Shade Roofs: Offer shelter above alfresco dining areas, creating opportunities for birds to swoop down for food.
Why This Is a Problem
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Health Hazards: Bird droppings can create significant health risks in public spaces.
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Mess and Maintenance Costs: Roosting birds leave behind droppings that damage surfaces and require frequent cleaning.
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Disruption to Businesses: Birds around outdoor dining areas can deter customers and create a nuisance.
How to Prevent Wildlife Problems in New Buildings
Better Building Design
Architects can minimize wildlife issues by designing buildings that reduce roosting and nesting opportunities:
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Use Box Section Beams: Smooth, clean lines prevent birds from perching.
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Avoid Open Web Trusses: These create easy nesting spots for pigeons and other birds.
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Eliminate Crevices: Design beams and overhangs without gaps where birds can sit or nest.
Install Preventative Measures
If the building design cannot avoid potential roosting spots, preventative measures can help, including:
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Bird Netting: Blocks access to perching and nesting areas.
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Bird Spikes: Deters birds from sitting on ledges, beams, and overhangs.
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Motion-Activated Deterrents: Lights or sprinklers can discourage birds from settling in specific areas.
Consider Long-Term Solutions
While retrofitting bird deterrents like spikes and netting is an option, it’s often more expensive than incorporating bird-proof designs from the beginning.
Why Wildlife Sees Buildings as Alternatives to Nature
As natural habitats disappear due to urbanization, wildlife, including pigeons, adapts to human-made structures.
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Urban Environments: Modern buildings often mimic the ledges and cliffs that pigeons naturally roost on.
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Loss of Vegetation: Deforestation and urban expansion leave wildlife with fewer natural habitats, pushing them toward buildings.
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Food Availability: Human activities, like alfresco dining, inadvertently provide easy food sources for birds.
FAQs About Building Work and Wildlife Problems
Why Do Pigeons Keep Returning to Demolished Sites?
Pigeons have a strong attachment to their birthplace. Even after demolition, they remain in the area and often return to new structures built on the same site.
How Do Bird Droppings Affect Buildings?
Bird droppings are acidic and can damage surfaces like metal, concrete, and stone. They also pose health risks due to bacteria and pathogens.
Can Poor Building Design Be Fixed to Deter Wildlife?
Yes, retrofitting deterrents like bird netting or spikes can help, though this is often more expensive than incorporating bird-proof designs during construction.
What Types of Buildings Are Most Prone to Wildlife Problems?
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Vacant or neglected structures with easy access points.
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Buildings with complex architectural designs that include ledges, overhangs, and trusses.
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Outdoor dining areas, particularly those with shade roofs or exposed food sources.
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