Maverick the hawk makes pigeons take flight - News - Evening Standard
       

Maverick the hawk makes pigeons take flight

A flock of pigeons plaguing a street has been scared away after locals petitioned for a hawk.

More than 75 residents of Perham Road, Barons Court, complained the birds were ruining the street with their droppings and creating a health hazard.

Hammersmith and Fulham council enlisted Maverick the Harris hawk to make daily flights in the "grot spot" to drive the pigeons away from their nests.

Caroline Ffiske, council member for residents' services, said: "Pigeons carry a range of diseases including salmonellosis, tuberculosis and ornithosis. Their droppings, nesting material and dead carcasses can contain a wide variety of mites and insects."

Resident Rod Mason said: "I have a one-year-old daughter and I was very concerned for her health because the whole of our building and the whole of the street was covered in pigeon droppings."

The hawk idea will be adopted in other parts of the borough.

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