Feral pigeons can be shot legally in the U.S. and, under certain conditions, in the U.K., but local laws on weapons, animal welfare and shooting near homes still apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is It Legal To Shoot Pigeons In The U.S?
In general, yes: feral pigeons are not protected by federal law in the U.S.
Most wild birds in the U.S. are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state laws. Feral pigeons, European starlings and house (English) sparrows are non-native and are among the few exceptions. State and local laws still apply, and many towns and cities ban firing guns or air rifles within city limits.
Because feral pigeons are not federally protected, their nests and eggs can usually be removed from your property, though it is worth checking local rules.
There are hundreds of breeds of pigeon and many wild pigeon and dove species. The exemption covers the feral pigeon, the most common type.
Domestic breeds such as the Antwerp Smerle or the Archangel pigeon belong to their owners, so shooting them can be a property or animal cruelty offence. Native wild species such as the band-tailed pigeon and the white-winged dove are protected under federal law and may only be hunted in season with a licence.
The mourning dove is a protected migratory game bird. A small number of states, mostly in the north-east, have no mourning dove hunting season; in the rest it can be hunted only in season, with a licence and within bag limits.
So make sure you can identify the bird. If it looks different from the average pigeon, it may well be protected.
The passenger pigeon was once probably the most numerous bird in North America, but it was hunted on a huge scale for food and lost much of its forest habitat. The last known passenger pigeon died in 1914.
Its story shows how quickly unregulated killing can wipe out even a very common bird.
Also Read: Can I Shoot Pigeons On My Roof?
Is It Legal To Shoot Pigeons In The U.K?
In the U.K., all wild birds are protected by law, but feral pigeons and wood pigeons can be shot under general licences.
Outside the UK: in the US, feral pigeons are not protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but native doves such as mourning doves are and may only be hunted in season with a state licence. In Canada, rock pigeons are not covered by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, but mourning doves are. In New Zealand, rock pigeons are unprotected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Act 1953, and you need a firearms licence. In Australia, feral pigeons are an introduced species, native pigeons are protected under state law, and firearms are licensed in every state. In Ireland, pigeons may only be shot under the ministerial declarations published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and firearms need a certificate from An Garda Síochána. Local rules on shooting near homes apply everywhere, so check before you act.
General licences (issued separately in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) allow these pigeons to be killed only for set reasons, such as preventing serious damage to crops or protecting public health, and usually only when non-lethal methods have not worked.
However care must be taken.
In gardens, people usually use air rifles. Shotguns and other firearms need a certificate from the police, and in Scotland air weapons also need a licence.
When using an air rifle you must ensure that the pellet does not leave your garden boundary, if it does then you are breaking the law.
When using an air rifle in the U.K it is also a good idea to speak to your neighbours before dealing with the pigeon problem.
Firearms are tightly controlled in the U.K., so a neighbour who sees a rifle at your upstairs window may be alarmed and could call the police.
Last updated 30 October 2026 · Problems