Pigeon nest: How pigeons build their nest

Pigeons like to build their nests on windowsills or balconies. If you recognize this in good time, you can do something about it

How pigeons build their nests

Pigeon nests are usually not visible at first glance, as the animals look for building ledges, trees or even a niche on the balcony or windowsill to make themselves comfortable. However, you can recognize a pigeon nest by its typical features.

• Exactly what a pigeon’s nest looks like also depends on which species it is. There are over 300 species of pigeon, all of which design their nesting sites more or less differently. However, pigeons living in cities have their own tricks for nesting

• The pigeons use grass, twigs, moss and sticks to build their nests. Sometimes the birds also use the garbage they find, such as paper scraps, to build their nests.

• In contrast to other bird nests, the pigeon’s nest appears less complex. It often consists only of a kind of platform created with twigs, whose task is to protect the pigeon eggs.

Pigeon nest on the balcony – what you can do

If you have noticed that a pigeon has nested on your balcony or elsewhere in the house, you should take action. Bird droppings not only make a big mess, they can also transmit diseases.

• As long as the nest has not yet been completed and the pigeon has only positioned individual twigs, you should remove them as quickly as possible. You can hope that the animal will then look for another nesting site

• Complete pigeon nests may not simply be removed by law, as pigeons are protected wild birds. It is forbidden to destroy the nest, especially if there are already eggs in the nest or chicks have hatched. In this case, contact the veterinary office in your city to discuss how to proceed.