Monaco's pigeon cull-free scheme blocks 764 births since November
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
A government-installed dovecote has prevented 764 pigeon births in the Principality since November 2025, offering a humane alternative to culling.
Since November 2025, the Princely Government has been running a contraceptive pigeon management programme centred on a purpose-built dovecote installed within the Principality. Rather than culling birds, the scheme intercepts eggs before they hatch, keeping the population in check without lethal methods. By September 2026, 764 births had been prevented.
Pigeons are classed as a nuisance species in Monaco on two grounds: the damage their droppings cause to stonework and facades, and the hygiene risks they pose in densely populated urban areas. Both concerns are acute in a small, high-density jurisdiction where building maintenance costs are considerable and public spaces are heavily used year-round.
The dovecote model has been adopted in several European cities as a more politically acceptable alternative to poisoning or trapping, and Monaco's early figures suggest the approach is producing measurable results. For residents and property owners - particularly those in older districts where ornate stonework is most vulnerable - the programme represents a practical response to a persistent urban problem.