Pigeon contraception effort taking place in downtown La Crosse

Group in month six of two-year plan to reduce bird population

Pigeons and all they leave behind won’t ever be a thing of the past in downtown La Crosse.

An effort, however, to curtail their numbers shows promise, according to Robin Moses, head of the business group Downtown Mainstreet.

The group is in month six of a two-year effort to reduce the number of pigeons by feeding them food laced with a contraceptive agent, which has been recommended for use by the Humane Society, Moses said. 

It’s humane, she added, and still effective, though the downtown pigeon battle needs to expand beyond just limiting reproduction.

“It’s really important to, not just try and reduce the numbers, but also try to address the (perches) of pigeons,” Moses said. “Probably the most challenging part is to work with building owners so that they understand the importance for not creating areas for pigeons to harbor.”

Moses also encourages downtown business owners to use spiked pigeon strips to keep the birds at bay. Moses also noted she’s looking at possible rules – or potentially creating new restrictions – the city has on the books about feeding pigeons or allowing them to roost in unused parts of buildings downtown.