Los Angeles Attempts Struggles To Cope With Pigeon Population

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 30: Pigeons linger along the Hollywood Walk of Fame near the historic intersection of Hollywood and Vine on July 30, 2007 in Hollywood, California. While communities such as Pismo Beach, California control their pigeon populations by trapping and killing them, Hollywood is turning to birth control. In the coming months, a substance called OvoControl P will be placed in kibble on new rooftop feeders. The OvoControl P will prevent the pigeons, also known as rock doves, from reproducing by interfering with egg development and is expected to shrink the population 50 percent by 2012. By one calculation, as much as 112 tons of bird seed have been scattered around Hollywood by pigeon lovers in a single year leading to overpopulation and resulting in large amounts of bird guano for locals to clean up. In the typically mild weather of southern California, pigeons can breed year-round and produce offspring every quarter. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)