ABSTRACT
Feral animals are the offspring or descendants of domesticated or tame species where either they or their antecedents have reverted to the wild, and where they have been able to establish breeding populations. Feral pigeons originated from escaped domestic doves, themselves derived from wild rock doves. They were well-established in Rome by the second century, and they had spread throughout urban Europe by the turn of the millennium. Domesticated pigeons were introduced to South Africa in 1654 and some went feral shortly afterwards. There are strong positive correlations between the average number of pigeons per hectare, human population density, number of houses, and the yearly amount of organic waste produced per hectare. The adaptability and opportunism of feral pigeons have led to such great numbers that in many cities they are viewed as nuisances, with concerns over disease, exposure to droppings and debris, structural damage, and, near airports, bird strikes.
