‘Rats from sky’ menace citizens

Kochi: They may symbolise peace, but the winged ‘messenger' is proving to be more than a headache for citizens. For local residents, particularly those living in apartment complexes, pigeons have become a nuisance by nesting in every available space, from window ledges to balconies and air-conditioner vents.
Since April and May are the nesting months for the bird, referred to as the ‘rats of the sky', their numbers have grown alarmingly in the city.Fed and fattened by the easy availability of food, the bird is play havoc with city residents.
"Pigeons are increasing by the day and they nest in any available space on balconies, air-conditioner vents, and so on. The birds are a big nuisance as they keep cooing the entire night, not to mention the droppings or the feathers they shed everywhere. We can't leave the windows open as they fly in and create a ruckus," says Maria Zacharias, who resides in an apartment complex in Palarivattom.
Homemaker from Tripunithara Merlin Anthony spent Rs 15,000 recently to cover her apartment windows with special nets to block the pigeons. The pigeon droppings are a health hazard and ‘spreads infections', according to her.
Ornithologists and experts say the original cliff-dwelling pigeons, descendants of the wild rock dove, adapted to cities several decades ago, but their numbers have never been so high.
"Kochi has become an abundant source of food for them. With no natural predators, they are now prolific breeders. Their growing numbers have affected other bird species, especially sparrows, as they take over more space for nesting,"said Abilash Abel, an expert.
The pigeon and its droppings have been linked to dozens of diseases, including lung infection and fatal fungal diseases such as as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, psittacosis, and a form of encephalitis.
But, so far, the most common cases in the city have been those related to respiratory problems. While fresh droppings do not pose a risk, spores from dried excrement, when inhaled, can cause respiratory complications and a flu-like illnesses.
"At times, patients who suffer from lung infection, cough and fever have said that there were several pigeons in their buildings. It's possible that the disease was transmitted from the birds," said Dr Sunny P Orathel.