Two Harris’s hawks are being deployed to manage pigeon populations across central London, traveling between locations via the London Underground. The raptors, often perched on their handlers’ arms, were recently observed on the Bakerloo Line, a route serving several busy parts of the city.

The use of Harris’s hawks for pigeon control in London dates back to the early 2000s. At Trafalgar Square near Nelson’s Column, hawks named Liam and Jack were credited with significantly reducing the local pigeon numbers from an estimated 5,000 to around 1,000. Since then, this method has been part of an ongoing effort to control the urban bird population in high-traffic public spaces.

Harris’s hawks are known for their social hunting behavior and adaptability, making them effective natural predators to deter pest birds without the use of chemicals or lethal measures. By moving between sites on public transportation, the handlers can cover multiple locations efficiently, helping to maintain a controlled pigeon population while minimizing disruptions to the urban environment.