Neighbour feeding pigeons: what can you do?

Every morning they coo on your gutter, your balcony is covered in droppings and you would rather not hang washing outside any more. A neighbour feeding pigeons can make it feel even harder: they mean well, and you live with the results. This article looks at why the pigeons keep coming, how to talk to your neighbour about it, what you could ask for and what the rules in the UK say in general terms.

Why the pigeons keep coming back

Pigeons go where there is food and a safe place to sit. A few handfuls of bread or seed on a balcony or lawn are enough to attract a regular flock.

People who feed pigeons usually see the pleasant side: birds that come flying in happily. They often do not notice that the droppings end up two balconies along, or that the birds have started nesting under your solar panels.

Start by showing understanding

Feeding birds often comes from a love of animals, or it gives company to someone who spends a lot of time at home. Acknowledge that, then explain what it means for you. For example:

"I can see you enjoy feeding the birds, and I understand why. It is just that for a while now we have had lots of pigeons on our balcony, and everything is covered in droppings. Could we have a look together at whether the feeding could be done a bit differently?"

Things you could ask for

Start with a small, realistic step. For example:

• Less food, or none on the ground. Loose bread or seed scattered on the ground or balcony is what attracts pigeons most.

• Feeders pigeons cannot reach. A feeder or cage designed for small garden birds keeps larger birds out.

• A catch tray and tidying up leftovers. Food left lying around attracts pigeons and also rats and mice, including at night.

• Deterring them together. Ask whether you could both look at netting or a professional deterrent, so the pigeons do not just move to the next balcony.

Agree to look again after a few weeks.

What the rules say in general terms

Feeding birds in your own garden is not illegal in itself, and councils generally treat it as a matter of feeding responsibly. Some areas do have byelaws or Public Spaces Protection Orders that ban feeding birds in particular public places, so it is worth checking your council's website. Feral pigeons, like other wild birds, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and they may only be controlled in limited circumstances under general licences.

Where excessive feeding seriously affects neighbours, councils and the police in England and Wales can use powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, such as a community protection warning followed by a community protection notice. If the feeding attracts rats or mice, the council's environmental health team can also act under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Tenancy agreements and leases may also cover feeding birds. This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, Citizens Advice or your council can help.

Keep a simple log

If it continues after you have talked, keep a log for a few weeks: the date, the time, what you saw (how many pigeons, whether food was put out) and what it meant for you, such as a dirty balcony or extra cleaning. A photo of the droppings on your own balcony is fine. Do not photograph your neighbours or their garden or home, and do not post accusations in a local social media group.

In practice

When feeding went too far. In the Vale of Glamorgan, a resident's persistent and excessive bird feeding led to complaints from neighbours about swooping gulls, droppings and rats. After a community protection warning and then a community protection notice were ignored, the case went to Cardiff Magistrates' Court in 2021 and the resident was ordered to pay more than £3,500 (source). Cases like this are rare and only follow warnings.

Less food, fewer pigeons. Trafalgar Square was once famous for its pigeons. The Greater London Authority introduced byelaws banning bird feeding there in 2003 and now uses a Harris hawk as a deterrent, and it reports that daily checks consistently show low numbers of pigeons (source). The same principle applies on your street: when the food stops, pigeons tend to move on.

If you cannot sort it out together

First send a second, calm message that refers back to your earlier conversation. After that, a community mediation service can help. A landlord, housing association or managing agent can speak to residents and sometimes help with proofing the building. If the feeding is attracting rats, or a local ban on feeding applies, your council can look into it.

A calm first message

The CalmNotes pigeon nuisance pack gives you editable example messages to raise the feeding and its effects kindly, with a follow-up message if nothing changes and an Excel log. You can find more practical packs for neighbour situations in our English packs for the UK.

Choose a suitable next step

Free incident diary — Record incidents, contact and agreements.

Prepare your records and request for help — Organise your information and prepare a request for help.

Find support — Find out who may be able to help with your situation.