
The Argyle Civic Association is currently involved in helping control Hollywood's growing pigeon population. See pictures from our July 30, 2007, Press Conference and Official Launch Breakfast
Background In 2003 the Argyle Civic Association initiated the Triangle Project Argyle-Yucca to beautify the traffic island on the corner of Argyle Avenue and Yucca Street. At the onset, it became evident that the pigeon population directly affected this project. On numerous occasions, one overly avid pigeon feeder was seen dropping close to 75 lbs. of birdseed on the triangle. The project could not move forward until the issue of pigeon population was addressed. For too many years pigeons have been fed on Dix Street, Yucca Street and Argyle Avenue, causing blight and destruction to the neighborhood streets, rooftops and cars. One person appeared to be the prime feeder, but she did not act alone. Upon further invesigation, ACA discerned that there were many more spots around the neighborhhood where there was—and continues to be—an ever-increasing number of pigeons. We also determined that the locally-created pigeon flock consisted of well over 5,000 birds and was being maintained by daily feeding from Dix and Argyle to Vine and Melrose. Our calculations showed that approximately 112 tons of bird seed were being dumped onto Hollywood streets annually, which translates to a staggering amount of pigeon excreta. For information on the health hazards of pigeon droppings, see this Pigeon Control Bulletin from the Alameda County Vector Control Serivces District. Research shows that pigeon flocks cannot be eliminated through methods such as trapping, poisoning or other conventional means. The flock will grow back to the same size or larger as their numbers are removed. The birds mate for life in the same home and live for up to 15 years. Argyle Civic Association's first efforts were directed at changing the City of Los Angeles municipal code to ban pigeon-feeding in Hollywood.			an overly avid pigeon feeder at the Argyle-Yucca Triangle
	Getting the Word Out In April of 2006, the story of the Argyle Civic Association's extensive efforts to control the Hollywood pigeon population broke when an article by Bob Pool appeared in the Los Angeles Times. Within hours, the story had been picked up by the Associated Press, Yahoo News, local news stations, and the national news media. Reporters and news coverage vehicles converged on the Argyle-Yucca Triangle to cover the story.
		Jon Mooallem, an investigative reporter for the New York Times Magazine, has interviewed ACA members as part of his story on pigeon control. Read the New York Time Magazine story.
	Through our involvement in this project, we have learned that pigeon control is not just a local Hollywood issue but, instead, a global problem. The Argyle Civic Association intends to remain on the cutting edge of this issue and is commited to finding a solution that will benefit Hollywood and the planet at large.
PETA Gets Involved			Give pigeons a break! Read the PETA fact sheet: "Pigeons: Amiable Urbanites"
After months of research, investigation and meetings with City of Los Angeles officials, the Argyle Civic Association contacted PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for assistance with the pigeon problem. PETA, the world's largest and most important animal rights group, strongly advises against the feeding of pigeons and other wild animals.
The organization responded immediately to our request for help. PETA Wildlife Specialist Stephanie Boyles (contact) evaluted our data and suggested a multi-pronged approach consisting of the implementation of practical control methods (see below) and a program of public education. PETA can work with today's Hollywood developers to adjust building designs to eliminate convenient roosting spots for pigeons, thus avoiding the unsightly and potentially hazardous mess caused by Hollywood's pigeon flock.
PETA provided us with resources on using advanced new methods of reducing the size of the flock. One method in particular looked promising: OvoControl™ OvoControl™ OvoControl™ is a birth control method for birds and was registered with the United States EPA in May of 2007. The technology has been developed by Innolytics LLC, a hatch-control company based in Rancho Santa Fe, California. OvoContol™ is administered to the birds via a special "treat" which is distributed to the pigeons from rooftop dispensers. The active ingredient, nicarbazin, interferes with the development of the vitaline layer separating the egg white and yolk. This membrane is vital to the viability of the egg and without it the egg cannot develop or hatch. Originally developed to control populations of resident Canada geese, the method has also been successfully tested on feral pigeons under the guidance of the USDA Experiment Station in Gainesville, FL. Link to television coverage of OvoControl™ program in Bend, Oregon. For more complete information on OvoControl™ see the Innolytics LLC FAQ page.

Where We Stand Today Since its official launch on July 30, 2007, our "Citizen Pigeon" program has garnered local, national, and international attention, including the following news stories: KNX news story KFWB new story Los Angeles Times story The Argyle Civic Association is currently working closely with PETA, Innolytics, and Cats Pest Control to implement a pilot program using OvoControl™ in Hollywood. This pioneering urban program will be of international importance for pigeon control. The program should reduce the pigeon flock by half within five years. We welcome your letters and testimonials to help us in the effort to establish this program and will be calling on downtown Hollywood businesses to solicit their involvement and support. The Argyle Civic Association welcomes all feedback from community residents, developers and builders, local businesses, animal lovers, and other interested individuals and organizations. Please send your comments to comments@argylecivic.org.