Food security is the main cause of the bird populations thriving in human habitations
Data on population estimation of herbivores and birds in wildlife areas shows that food plays a very important role in the breeding behaviour of animals, including birds.
Only the availability of food leads to successful breeding and fawning/nesting. In a protected area with many villages and in forests that are entirely occupied by people and livestock such as cattle, there is not enough food security for wild animals.
Relocation and rehabilitation of all the villages from these areas has led to a revival in wildlife populations; in one observation, the recovery has been to the tune of six animals per square kilometre within one year of the area becoming free of humans and livestock, due to better food security and availability of inviolate space.
In the same way, artificial food security in human-dominated landscapes encourages pigeons as well as dogs and monkeys to breed.
In many landscapes, the numbers go so high that the trophic structures are altered, affecting ecosystems’ functioning.
Based on expert opinions and personal observations, the way to address this menace would be to completely stop providing food to pigeons as well as monkeys, along with restricting the food given to dogs that too not at a single place every day.
Providing food to dogs in front of a house or site every day makes them guard the place. Let the dogs travel some distance to get food. This may help in minimising the territorial impact.
We need a proper combination of humane and practical solutions to address the growing populations of pigeons, dogs and monkeys and the problems associated with them.
This article is part of a cover story first published in the 16-30 June, 2023 print edition of Down To Earth
Faiyaz Khudsar is a Delhi-based wildlife biologist
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth
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