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As the next step towards finding a sustainable solution to the conflict between birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, in 2025 BSPB in the frame of LIFE for Falcons project (LIFE20 NAT/BG/1162) supported the construction and renovation of nine pigeon lofts in key project areas and wintering grounds of Saker Falcons in Bulgaria.
The new facilities have a total capacity of over 1,700 pigeons. They will be used to test preventive practices – through improving release regimes, maintaining good health and condition of the pigeons, and applying different protection methods.
Priority was given to areas with a strong identified human-raptor conflict and an active network of local supporters already established – around Zlatitsa, Karlovo, Kalofer, and Plovdiv. All lofts are regularly supplied with quality feed and preventive veterinary care, as the health status of the pigeons is a crucial factor in their vulnerability to raptor’s attacks.
Among the preventive methods applied against attacks by diurnal raptors are painting eye patterns on the wings, striping and chrome-effect spraying on the tail feathers, and placing eagle-owl decoys. For tipplers, which fly at night and are often attacked by owls, the intensity of lighting around the lofts was increased. The effectiveness of these practices will be analyzed, and the results will be shared with the pigeon fancier community in Bulgaria and neighboring countries such as Serbia and Romania in 2026.
The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds is convinced that through joint efforts the pigeon fanciers and conservationists can find effective and legal solutions to limit damage from birds of prey to domestic pigeons. In this way, the sustainable conservation of threatened wildlife in Bulgaria will be ensured, without jeopardizing the tradition of pigeon sport in the country.