Pest Birds

Pest birds are a significant and growing problem across Western Australia, impacting agriculture, biodiversity, and urban environments. Several introduced species, including the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), feral pigeon (Columba livia), and house sparrow (Passer domesticus), have thrived since their introduction for ornamental and agricultural purposes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These birds have adapted quickly to a variety of habitats, from coastal cities to inland farming regions.

In agricultural areas, pest birds cause millions of dollars in damage annually by feeding on grain crops, fruit, and seedlings. They foul infrastructure, contaminate water supplies, and damage machinery and buildings with their droppings, which are also a health hazard. In urban settings, large flocks of pigeons and sparrows create mess, noise, and spread diseases such as psittacosis and salmonella.

Environmentally, pest birds compete with native species for nesting sites and food, displacing local wildlife and further threatening endangered populations. Starlings, in particular, aggressively outcompete native birds for tree hollows. Their unchecked populations also contribute to the spread of invasive plants by distributing seeds through their droppings.

Managing pest bird populations in WA is challenging but critical to protecting native ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and public health.