The ‘rats’ with wings has gone into isolation. Those jogging, going out for groceries and on the way to their essential jobs might have noticed the decrease in the number of pigeons hanging around during this Circuit Breaker period. Pigeons have been a problem in Singapore since as long as anyone can remember. In the last six years, complaints about birds, in general, have surged by 140 per cent. The government has tried to deal with them a number of ways, from corn-based birth control that stops female birds from laying eggs or results in non-hatching eggs to a herb-based foul-smelling to drive birds away. However, the methods have been unsustainable or ineffective. That is up till now. CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR HUMANS AND BIRDS The perks of the Circuit Breaker measure is not just to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus but also to curb our on-going over-population of birds. With lesser patrons and no one sitting down to eat at the Kopitiam or hawker centre, there is little to no food waste created. Previously, people would just leave their unfinished food on the table after they are done with their food. These birds would swoop in and feast on the leftovers. As a result, these birds got smart and they would hang around hawker centres to wait for leftovers. Without leftovers, the birds have no reason to hang around hawker centres. At the same time, people use to go down to feed stale bread or unfinished rice to the birds in HDB estates. Often times, waste food makes people feel bad so they decide to feed it to the birds instead. The only problem with that is it spells out trouble for their neighbours. Dirty bird poop painted walls with nasty smells. Car and motorcycle owners who constantly have to wipe down bird poop off their vehicles. Soiled clothes, birds entering kitchens, kids being chased down by birds. When feral animals know when and where they get free food, they wait around the area. They make their nest close, they raise the kids in the area. It is similar to when you want to buy a house and you look for a place close to a shopping mall, MRT station or hawker centre. These birds do the same thing. With the circuit breaker in place, no one is allowed to leisurely go out of the house to feed feral birds. In fact, most people are probably rationing out food rather than giving these birds free food (people didn’t queue for long hours just to feed these birds). The lack of free food now probably cause the pigeons to go and find food elsewhere. This really makes you think. Are our bird problems because of birds or because of humans? BYE BYE BIRDIE When the circuit breaker is over and we resume our daily lives, will these birds come back? Let’s be honest. They are a nuisance and we do not really want them back so how do we make sure they don’t come back?
Previously, people would just leave their unfinished food on the table after they are done with their food. These birds would swoop in and feast on the leftovers.
> REDUCE FOOD PORTION Food waste is obviously a huge problem in hawker centres. As much as we have ‘return your tray’ initiatives, some people still do not do that. So, what if we reduce food portions instead. A reduced food portion means there is a lesser chance of people not being able to finish it and food prices might be cheaper too. Stall vendors could also serve their food boat noodle style. Not only will people be more attracted to the boat noodle idea, but they will also be able to try ou more food at the hawker centre. > NO SEATING This might be a drastic measure but it could cause a drastic change to our bird problem too. It is almost like a throwback to the days where it’s all street food carts. People can only buy food and would have to eat at home or in their offices. It is a bit like what is going on during this Circuit Breaker measure. You still get your food but you have to bring it home. > FOOD COMPOSE BINS Many HDB estates now have community gardens for the residents to use. Why not make compose bins that will help the community gardens as well as curb the bird problem? Since throwing food is seen as a waste, why not repurpose them. Many residents could use this free compose for their plants at home or the community garden and it is a sustainable idea too. The bins could be designed in a way that birds cannot get to the food and only people can get to the compose. It is a win-win situation for everybody (except the birds).
We should all be wary of our food waste as it does not just affect us but also others around us. Pigeons specifically are known to leave their dropping everywhere. It could cause contaminations, property damage as well as its just unsightly to the eyes. Not to mention, they might also be carrying diseases that we are not aware of and have the potential to attack others when they feel threatened. Our food waste might be the start of addressing this problem. We should reconsider the way we dispose of leftovers and how it could impact others. For now, we can enjoy their lack of presence now, but just know they are probably lurking around.
Original Article Link: https://dear.sg/stories/dear-pigeons-where-have-you-all-been
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