Pesticides are killing birds

Bill deformities in urban birds caused by pesticides...
Effect of pesticides on urban birds

Strides towards extirpation..........?

The blue rock pigeon (Columba livia Gmelin) is mostly seen in semi-domesticated condition, living as commensal of man. This semi-feral stock has become thoroughly used to the din and bustles of urban life; and is now well established in most Indian towns. Grain warehouses, railway stations, old or deserted buildings are their favourite haunts. Their food is cereal, pulses, groundnuts etc. Besides air and water pollution in our overcrowded towns the food grains are badly contaminated due to pesticides used in the stores. All this has started exhibiting its impact through the ailments of these birds. This should be taken warning signals for extirpation of these birds; and in the long run it is not going to spare the human population. “Better late than never”, we should stop using chemical pesticides and adapt to herbal options. 

Ajeet Kumar Shaah     
(The Author is a nature photographer in Lakhimpur-Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, India, He may be reached at ajeetkshaah@gmail.com)