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For the third year in a row, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), within the framework of the LIFE project Life for Falcons, has been working intensively to reduce the conflict between pigeon fanciers and birds of prey in Bulgaria. In 2023–2024, over 200 completed questionnaires from 65 municipalities across the country were collected and analyzed. The results clearly showed that a large number of pigeon fanciers suffer significant losses due to predatory birds. This was further confirmed by data from GPS rings placed on over 70 flights of racing homing pigeons (see the full report here).
Other major causes of pigeon losses include poor health conditions, unsuitable weather, collisions with power lines, and poisoning from treated seeds. Through seminars and discussions with local clubs, it became evident that the breeds most often targeted by birds of prey are high-flying pigeons, which are bred to fly at great heights and circle the lofts for prolonged periods (10–20 hours). Additionally, pigeons that are not well cared for — those in poor health and weak condition — are easier prey.
The results also show that the time of year and time of day when pigeons are released plays a significant role. Over the past two years, a preventive method involving painting “owl eyes” on the pigeons’ wings was tested. Although it did not have a universal effect, it demonstrated an average damage reduction of 20% (see the scientific publication on the topic HERE).
As a further step toward finding a sustainable solution, in 2025, the Life for Falcons project will support several pigeon fanciers from the project areas or wintering grounds of the Saker Falcon to expand their dovecote capacity, and thus the number of high-flying racing pigeons they raise. This will allow various good preventive practices to be tested, including improvements in release schedules, health, and physical condition of the pigeons. The results will be widely shared with the pigeon fanciers community in Bulgaria (and in some neighboring countries such as Serbia and Romania), so that everyone can benefit and apply them to reduce their losses.
The selected participants were carefully chosen by a committee based on several criteria, including significant achievements in pigeon sport, a demonstrated interest in finding nature-friendly preventive measures to protect pigeons from predatory birds, and adherence to the highest and most modern pigeon care standards — making them strong examples for the implementation of this cause.
BSPB expresses its confidence that with joint efforts from both the pigeon fanciers and conservation communities, effective and legal methods can be found to reduce the damage caused by birds of prey to domestic pigeon breeds. This will ensure the sustainable protection of endangered bird species in Bulgaria’s nature, without significantly affecting the practice of pigeon sport.
Photos: Stoyan Nikolov