Pigeon Droppings, Health Risks and Why Pigeon Nets Help
By Sushil Shinde, Founder & Installation Head, SafeNest · Updated November 2026
Why pigeons are a problem in Mumbai and Pune flats
Pigeons thrive in dense cities. High-rise ledges, AC outdoor units, window sills, pipes and duct areas give them shelter and nesting spots, and regular feeding in many neighbourhoods keeps their numbers high. Once a pair starts nesting on a balcony or AC ledge, they keep coming back, and droppings, feathers and nest material pile up quickly.
What doctors and courts have said
Doctors link long exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers with a lung condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), sometimes called bird fancier's lung.
- Bombay High Court, August 2025: while hearing the kabutarkhana case, the court cited reports by pulmonologists Dr Sujeet Rajan (Bombay Hospital) and Dr Amita Athavale (KEM Hospital) linking long exposure to pigeon droppings with irreversible lung damage. (Free Press Journal)
- A study across India: in the ILD-India registry (27 centres in 19 cities), HP made up 47.3% of new interstitial lung disease cases, and a 2019 follow-up found that birds, cooling devices and moulds were the most common exposures. (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2017; Lung India, 2019)
- Pune, March 2023: when the Pune Municipal Corporation began fining people for feeding pigeons in public, its assistant medical health officer said pigeon droppings could spread infections. (Free Press Journal)
- The other side of the debate: the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust cited Nair Hospital data showing 8 HP cases among 24,891 chest OPD patients in a year, 2 of them linked to pigeons. The High Court has asked an expert committee to study the health impact. (Free Press Journal; Bar & Bench)
People with asthma, lung disease or weak immunity should be especially careful. If someone at home has a long-lasting cough or breathlessness and pigeons nest nearby, speak to a doctor.
Pigeon feeding rules in Mumbai and Pune
- Mumbai, July 2025: the state government told the BMC to shut the city's 51 kabutarkhanas over health concerns from droppings and feathers. (Free Press Journal)
- Mumbai, July to August 2025: the BMC recorded 250 violations and collected ₹1.24 lakh in fines in a month, at ₹500 per offence. (Free Press Journal)
- Bombay High Court, July and August 2025: the court refused to allow feeding at kabutarkhanas, saying human health is paramount, allowed the BMC to register FIRs against people feeding pigeons there, and kept the feeding ban in place. The Supreme Court dismissed a plea against the order on 11 August 2025. (PTI via The Week; Free Press Journal; PTI via The Week)
- Expert committee, August 2025: the High Court set up an expert committee to study the health impact and whether regulated feeding could be allowed. (Bar & Bench)
- Pune: the Pune Municipal Corporation fines people ₹500 for feeding pigeons in public, rising to ₹5,000 for repeat offenders. (Free Press Journal)
These rules may change as the courts and the expert committee review the issue, so check the latest position with your municipal corporation.
The damage pigeons cause at home
- Droppings and stains on balcony floors, railings, window glass and walls.
- Blocked drains and pipes from feathers and nest material.
- AC units and ledges covered in droppings and nests, which are hard and unpleasant to clean.
- Noise and smell from birds roosting near bedroom windows.
- Clothes and plants soiled on the drying stand and in balcony gardens.
Why nets work better than spikes and gel
Spikes and gels only cover a ledge, and birds often settle on the next free spot. A pigeon net closes the whole opening, to keep birds out. It is nearly invisible from inside, lets light and air through, and does not harm the birds. Read the full comparison in Pigeon Net vs Pigeon Spikes vs Gel.
Humane by design
Pigeon nets are meant only to block entry. Before closing an area we move the birds out and remove nests without eggs. If there are eggs or chicks, we advise waiting until the young birds have left. Harming birds is cruelty under Indian law, and a well-fitted net makes it unnecessary.
How to clean pigeon droppings safely
- Wear a mask (an N95 is best) and gloves before you start.
- Spray the droppings with water or a mild disinfectant first, so dry dust does not rise into the air. Do not dry-sweep.
- Scrape the wet droppings into a bag, seal it and throw it away.
- Wash the area with soap and water, then wash your hands well.
- Anyone with asthma or lung problems should avoid doing this work.
Pigeon nets for flats and housing societies
We fit UV-stabilised HDPE or heavy-duty nylon nets across balconies, windows, AC ledges, ducts, shafts and terraces. For societies, netting the whole building stops pigeons from simply moving to the next flat. See pigeon nets in Mumbai and Pune and Builders & Societies.
Pigeon and health FAQs
Are pigeon droppings harmful to health?
Dried pigeon droppings and feathers can release dust and fungal spores that may trigger allergies and lung problems in some people. If anyone at home has breathing problems, speak to a doctor and keep pigeons away from living areas.
Is it safe to clean pigeon droppings myself?
For small amounts, wear a mask and gloves, wet the droppings first and do not dry-sweep. People with asthma or lung problems should avoid it.
Do pigeon nets harm the birds?
Pigeon nets are designed only to block entry, not to harm birds. Before closing the area, we move the birds out and remove nests without eggs.
Will a pigeon net stop pigeons sitting on my AC unit?
Yes, if the AC ledge is enclosed in the net. We net AC ledges and window sills to keep pigeons from sitting or nesting there, while the AC still gets air.
What is kabutar jali?
Kabutar jali is the Hindi name for a pigeon net: a tight net fixed across balconies, windows, ducts and AC ledges to keep pigeons out.