Which Bird Is on Your Property?
By the Clark Pest Entomology Team
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Quick answer: Rock pigeons are the main pest bird in this guide. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not cover them, and their droppings can damage building finishes. Doves look much alike, so check size, tail and color in the table below before you act. Then open the pigeon guide for habits and control.
Pick the Closest Pest Bird
Clark covers the rock pigeon, a common roof, ledge and balcony pest in California and Northwestern Nevada. Tap it for the full guide.
PigeonA stocky gray bird with short legs and two black wing bars, about 13 inches from head to tail. It roosts on rooftops and ledges and nests on sheltered flat surfaces.
Pigeon or Dove? Check These Clues First
A dove on your fence is not a pigeon on your roof, and the answer changes what you should do. Cornell Lab of Ornithology lists the mourning dove and Eurasian collared-dove among the rock pigeon's look-alikes. Here are all three side by side: the rock pigeon, the mourning dove and the Eurasian collared-dove.
| Clue | Rock pigeon | Mourning dove | Eurasian collared-dove |
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| Size | Plump and tubby. 11.8 to 14.2 inches long. The largest of the three | Slender and robin-sized. 9.1 to 13.4 inches long | Between the other two. 11.4 to 11.8 inches long |
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| Tail | Wide and rounded with a black band at the tip | Long and pointed. No other North American dove has this tail | Broad and squared off at the tip, with white patches |
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| Color | Varies a lot. Most are bluish gray with two black wing bars | Soft brown to buff with black spots on the wings | Pale brown to gray-buff with a narrow black crescent at the back of the neck |
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| Federal protection | Not covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Not named in that agency's notice. If you are unsure of the bird, leave it and its nest alone | On the same non-native list, so the Act does not apply |
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Pigeons on the Roof, Ledge or Balcony
Why they pick your building
University of Nevada, Reno Extension says pigeon nests are simple stick platforms set on sheltered, flat ledges. Window ledges, balconies, soffits and signs all qualify. The same publication adds that pigeons can get into attics through missing soffit panels or attic vents.
Food keeps them there. Utah State University Extension says pigeons eat mainly grain and seeds. They also scavenge garbage and any food people leave out, on purpose or by accident.
What takes the spot away
Pigeon control starts with the building. Utah State University Extension lists bird netting, closing openings with wood, metal, glass or rustproof iron mesh and spikes, coils or sloped surfaces on ledges. It also says to keep outdoor areas clean and remove water sources.
Droppings: What to Know Before You Clean
Droppings are the reason most people call. They are also the part to treat with care.
Property damage
UNR Extension says pigeon droppings can damage the finish on buildings and cars. When birds occupy a warehouse, they also foul stored goods.
Health, in plain terms
The CDC says histoplasmosis risk goes up when soil that holds bird or bat droppings is disturbed, and it says most exposed people do not get infected. The CDC also says people with weakened immune systems may not fully fight off histoplasmosis. For large amounts of droppings, the CDC says to use a professional hazardous waste company.
CDC's NIOSH program says the fungus that causes cryptococcosis lives in soil and bird droppings, and most exposed people never get sick. It also lists pigeons among birds that can carry the bacteria behind psittacosis. Risk is highest for people who handle live birds, such as vets, breeders and poultry workers. See the NIOSH page for details.
Itchy Bites After the Birds Leave
People often ask whether pigeons bring bed bugs. UNR Extension says bird mites can bite people and leave raised bumps like chigger bites. It also says pigeon nests can harbor stick-tight fleas, soft ticks, bed bugs and carpet beetles.
If you get new bites after birds nested near a window or in an attic, the nest is a clue. Compare what you find with our bed bug guide before you treat.
Clark's Expert Insight
Fix the entry point before you worry about the flock. A missing soffit panel or open vent lets birds into the attic, and a flat ledge invites a nest. Netting, sealed openings and sloped surfaces change the building itself. If a nest is active and you cannot name the bird, wait and get it identified first.
Pigeon and Pest Bird Questions
Are pigeons considered pests?
Yes. Utah State University Extension calls the rock pigeon a major nuisance pest and says pigeons can infest unprotected ventilation ducts. UNR Extension adds that droppings can damage the finish on buildings and cars. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also lists the rock pigeon as a bird the Migratory Bird Treaty Act does not cover.
Is a pigeon a rodent?
No. A pigeon is a bird, not a rodent. Rodents are mammals.
Do pigeons carry bed bugs?
Their nests can. UNR Extension says pigeon nests can harbor bed bugs, stick-tight fleas, soft ticks and carpet beetles, and bird mites can bite people. Check around nesting spots near windows and in attics if you notice new bites.
How long do pigeons live?
Clark's pigeon guide says wild pigeons may live about 15 years, while city pigeons typically live three to four years. Food, shelter and predators all play a part.
How do I stop pigeons from nesting on my roof?
Block the flat, sheltered spots they want. Utah State University Extension suggests netting, sealing openings with metal or rustproof mesh and adding spikes, coils or sloped surfaces. Remove food and water too. A technician can survey the roofline and find every opening.
Do pigeons eat cockroaches?
They can eat insects, but not as a rule. Clark's guide says pigeons prefer seeds, grain, fruit and greens and eat insects only when nothing better is around. A pigeon is not a roach control plan.
Is it safe to clean up pigeon droppings myself?
A small spot may be a simple job, but take care. The CDC says people with weakened immune systems may not fully fight off histoplasmosis. For large amounts of droppings, it says to use a professional hazardous waste company.