Contributed by Donna Ralph, President

Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

I never know quite how to respond to the rather unfortunately routine telephone calls I receive, like the one that came yesterday. A very unhappy, frustrated lady called me in the morning. She moved here recently from California where she enjoyed her organic garden, her busy bird feeders, and her volunteer time at a bird rescue organization. She came to Colorado to be with her son who is ill with cancer. She was looking forward to visiting us in Colorado Springs because she'd heard about what a progressive, beautiful area we have and of course, she'd heard about the wildlife that abounds here, and how lucky we are that we get to enjoy wildlife viewing from our own neighborhoods.

This lady found an apartment and proceeded to hang her bird feeders, and found herself happy and comfortable that she could watch the birds from her living room window (even though the apartment complex nixed her suggestion of community organic gardening.)

She told me she was notified the other day by the apartment manager that because of her feeding the birds, the flock of about 11 pigeons was now creating a problem and they would poison the birds to eliminate them. She was horrified and set about trying to find out how she could stop this, figuring it MUST be illegal. Not to mention the guilt she felt that she may have encouraged these birds by feeding them and now she felt responsible for their anticipated demise (by the way, poisoning is a horrible way for an animal to die.)

Eventually she found EWRC and called me, and I immediately felt that dark feeling I have when these calls find their way to me. I knew she was extremely unhappy with what I told her but I told her the way it works as I understand it in our State.

I've been told that in our State, that pigeons, starlings, and introduced sparrows are not federally protected and are considered "nuisance" species. These birds are prolific and take away food and habitat from beneficial native species that belong here. Therefore, it is perfectly legal to keep them as pets (pigeons are very smart, you know) and it is also legal for them to be exterminated.

The sad thing is, in addition to these birds being killed, the native birds we try to protect die from consuming not only the poison corn they find sprinkled about the rooftops of buildings but the larger, predatory birds die after consuming a poisoned bird as well. These birds ARE federally protected and poisoning them is a crime. However, I've never been able to find a native bird dead from pigeon poisoning. I'm thinking they probably fly away and die elsewhere, where their bodies aren't found. So without bodies, no "crime" has been committed.

I HAVE, however, taken into rehab many, many convulsing, sick, miserable pigeons that have suffered poisoning (I had one with a blow dart in his chest, too) and I'm fortunate I work with a caring veterinarian that can treat these birds, as some do recover. Disturbing enough is the appearance of these birds that come to us; every bit as difficult to me is the distress suffered by the people in our community that find these birds convulsing on their sidewalks, parking lots, and in their courtyards. Their immediate concern is the bird. Their secondary concern is, and I believe it's a very valid concern, is what happens if their child, dog, or cat comes into contact with the poison? Or the dog or cat consumes a poisoned bird it has found on the ground? They are told by building maintenance workers not to worry, the poison is on the rooftop. However, I myself picked up a poisoned pigeon in Colorado Springs last year and upon arrival, found the suspect corn sprinkled all over the parking lot. I carefully placed some in a zip lock bag, confident that someone at the Health Department would be interested in this finding. Unfortunately, nobody was.

So today I find myself thinking about this nice lady who no longer enjoys her apartment or her bird feeder. I know she's racked with guilt and I feel bad for her; it's not her fault; she didn't know. Most people don't know. And for the millionth time, I wonder how we can make it better for the birds AND the people that enjoy them.