Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences
Date of this Version
February 1991
Abstract
Relationships among pigeons, raptors, and man are well documented. However, there has been little effort to study conflict between pigeon fanciers and raptors that prey upon racing pigeons. A questionnaire concerning the characteristics raptor predation on pigeons was distributed to members of the American Racing Pigeon Union (ARPU). Three hundred and sixty seven responses were received from ARPU members in 39 states. Cooper's hawks were the most often implicated raptor. Lots located at the edge of wooded areas experienced the most attacks (n =182). Most fanciers (n =154) indicated that raptor attacks were distributed throughout the day.