Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Poggly, I also remember the pigeon man and the flock of birds that hung out on Capitol Square. Many people enjoyed them, but they were a royal nuisance and a health hazard. They nested/rested on the ledges of downtown buildings. At the time, many state office buildings were without central air conditioning and had window AC units installed. These units provided an ideal platform for the birds to nest. At one point, the lice on the birds were getting into the offices, causing health problems for the employees. Meanwhile, the First Citizens Bank on Fayetteville Street was designed in polished black granite with steeply sloped "ledges" that the birds couldn't perch on. The sidewalks around Capitol Square were a mess and people were complaining.
There were numerous plans put forward to eliminate the birds. Trapping, shooting, poisoning, etc. But opposition came from many about cruel treatment. Among the plans suggested was using corn and peanuts baited with a bird birth control chemical. That way, the population would simply cease to reproduce and eventually disappear.
I never heard what method was used, but the pigeon population essentially disappeared over a few years. I suspect it was the birth control method but nobody ever confirmed it. It's possible that with the peanut man gone, no one was feeding them and they moved on. Who knows?
I never heard what method was used, but the pigeon population essentially disappeared over a few years. I suspect it was the birth control method but nobody ever confirmed it. It's possible that with the peanut man gone, no one was feeding them and they moved on. Who knows?
There sure were a lot of them, and I’m sure they were a nuisance. I saw a piece on WRAL some time back about the decline of pigeons downtown. Greg Hatem said the hawks preyed on them and wiped them out, but I don’t know that to be a fact.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
