RACING PIGEONS – IMPACT OF RAPTOR PREDATION

Table 6.2. Frequency of multiple loft-based deterrent use amongst SHU lofts.
No. different deterrents 1 2 3 4 5
no. lofts 24 27 8 6 4
% respondents 34.8 39.1 11.6 8.7 5.8
Overall, 26 (38%) of the 69 respondents who had used loft-based deterrents reported,
at least, partial effectiveness for a deterrent technique. Of the 55 lofts for which
perceived deterrent effectiveness was reported, effectiveness was reported
significantly more often for lofts which had used more than one type of deterrent (36
lofts) than lofts deploying a single technique only (19 lofts). Partial effectiveness (or
better) was reported for 21 lofts (58%) which had used multiple-techniques compared
with 5 lofts (26%) which used a single technique only (χ 2 = 5.22, df = 1, P < 0.05).
6.2.2 Pigeon-based deterrents
Fifty-eight of the 86 respondents used pigeon-based deterrents. Three types of
pigeon-based deterrent have been primarily used: wing transfers, sequins and Bali
bells (Table 6.3). Wing transfers, made from waterproof inks, are brightly coloured
roundels or “eyes” which are applied to the upper surface of a pigeon’s wings. The
transfers are intended to mimic the eyes of a larger bird and so deter attack by birds of
prey. Sequins are small reflective discs which are glued to the feathers on the pigeons
head and back. Reflections off the sequins are intended to repel or startle any
attacking bird of prey. Bali bells are actually small whistles which are attached to the
base of the tail. When the pigeon is in flight the “bells” produce a high pitched noise,
the sound of which is intended to deter raptors from attacking the bird, and possibly
also from approaching the flock as a whole.
Respondents overwhelmingly regarded sequins as ineffective, with only 4% rating
them, at best, as partially effective. Wing transfers were also generally regarded as
ineffective and categorised as partial or very effective by only 7% of respondents.
Bali-bells, however, were reported to be partially effective by 16% respondents.
Although Bali-bells were overall rated the most effective of the three pigeon-based
deterrents, limitations to their efficacy were reported. Firstly, as was the case with
loft-deterrents, the effectiveness of Bali-bells was suggested to decrease over time, as
peregrines seemed to habituate to the device. It was even suggested that over time the
sound of the Bali-bells actually attracted peregrines. Secondly, Bali-bells were not
effective within the vicinity of the loft. Bali-bells function by producing a whistling
noise when the pigeon is in flight, a stimulus which ceases when the pigeon alights.
Thus, even if Bali-bells effectively deterred peregrines during training or race flights,
once having alighted in the vicinity of the loft birds would then be unprotected and
vulnerable to attack.
A further number of negative aspects were reported for each of the three deterrents.
Bali-bells were reported to: be difficult to fit, cause damage to tail feathers, “upset”
the birds, and to be expensive and impractical. Wing transfers were described as time
consuming to apply, whilst sequins quickly became detached.
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