WHERE Pigeons are concerned, where do you stand, are you a friend or foe? Pesky pigeons are at the top of Blackburn Council's pecking order. And the latest idea to control their numbers is none other than a version of the contraceptive pill. Citizen Reporter, Sol Buckner, took to the streets to find out whether the pigeon pill is a bird-brained idea or a sensible solution to keep the number of our feathered friends in check. This is what they said:

Waid Hussain, of Mandella Court, Blackburn, used to keep pigeons until he moved into a council house.

He said: "I'm against the pill - it's not fair and completely unnatural. The council should leave pigeons alone and not interfere with nature.

"The pill should be used by humans not pigeons."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Bob Steel from Great Harwood.

"Pigeons do not deserve to be put on the pill, " he said. "They're harmless and should be left alone."

Mum, Sandra Goddard from Whitebirk, Blackburn, is a fellow pigeon sympathiser. She said: "It would be a real shame if pigeons were put on the pill and I don't think it would work anyway.

"My son likes feeding pigeons and he would be upset if there were none left."

But not everyone wants pigeons to keep on lining their nests.

Blackburn College student Sadat Hussein thinks the pill could stop pigeons ruining his lunch.

"I can't stand pigeons when I'm eating my lunch outside on benches," he fumed. "They swoop over your head, make a mess and hang around waiting for scraps.

"They need to be put on birth control pills for their own good - there's just too many."

And Cath Rogan thinks a pill for our feathered friends would also be a good idea.

She said: "Pigeons make a mess of buildings, statues and your hair when they dump their droppings.

"They're a nuisance and the pill would be an ideal way to control them."

FERAL pigeons can breed all year round. However, they normally raise between three and six broods a year - laying approximately two eggs each time (usually one per day).

A baby pigeon is called a squab.

Squabs are extremely ugly, have sparse down, swollen beaks and large grey feet and legs. They feed on regurgitated pigeons milk which is produced in the crops of both parents.

Young birds can start breeding at six months of age.

Pigeons normally "pair" for life.

Pigeon pox is a disease among pigeons which causes growths and deformities of the feet.

Feral pigeons have few natural predators although they are occasionally taken by cats or run over by cars.

Feral pigeons nest on ledges, roofs and in holes on buildings, bridges, piers, columns, and even cranes.

Feral pigeons are intelligent and adaptable birds descended from wild rock doves.

Homing pigeons played an important role in both World Wars.

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