Effects of confinement on body mass and site fidelity of feral pigeons during the setting-up of pigeon houses.

Feral pigeons can reach high densities in the urban environments and have thus been subject to various regulation programs. Recently, an alternative ethical regulation strategy based on the installation of artificial breeding facilities has been tested in European cities. In Paris (France), pigeons are first confined for several weeks within the pigeon house before being released. According to authorities, this method allows to retain confined pigeons in this new habitat and to attract more conspecifics. This study aims at evaluating the efficiency and potential side-effects of this method by assessing pigeon fidelity behaviour and pigeon welfare after release. Results show that confinement in pigeon houses induced a significant body mass loss in birds. Only 19% of confined pigeons became faithful to their new habitat. This fidelity depended on the origin of birds suggesting that pigeons captured closer to the pigeon houses are more likely to stay in the vicinity of the pigeon house one year after. Investigations on methods of regulation on animal behavior may help to improve management procedures.