Pigeon Nests in the UK: Nesting Season, Eggs and Life Cycle

Many homeowners are concerned about pigeon nesting habits in urban areas in the UK. Understanding the specifics of pigeon nests and the pigeon’s life cycle is essential for safe and legal bird control.

Birds like pigeons are common in cities, but they’re considered pests if they nest in inconvenient spots. Known for their ability to create large colonies in a short time, pigeons in the UK pose serious health risk.

Their droppings are messy and contain many diseases that could affect human health. From pigeon nesting behaviour to lawful nest removal practices, this guide has it all.

When is pigeon nesting season in the UK?

In the UK, pigeons can nest all year round due to the mild climate, but peak nesting activity occurs between March and October. Feral pigeons can nest throughout the year in the UK, although activity typically peaks from late spring to early summer. Pigeons in towns and cities may breed year-round thanks to a reliable food supply. This means nests can also appear during autumn and winter, with no fixed date when nesting stops.

How long do pigeons nest for?

A single brood typically takes around seven to eight weeks from incubation to fledging. Pairs can raise two to four broods a year, often returning to the same nesting site. Young pigeons may also remain nearby after leaving the nest.

Woodpigeons follow a more seasonal pattern, with nesting activity peaking during the summer. However, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) confirms that they can also nest at any time of year.

Because pigeons can breed outside the usual spring and summer period, the time of year alone cannot tell you whether a nest is occupied. Before carrying out work on a roof, balcony or loft, check for signs of nesting activity, including eggs or chicks.

Where do pigeons nest on UK homes?

Feral pigeons are descended from wild rock doves, which naturally nest in sea caves and on steep cliff ledges. In towns and cities, they use buildings as substitutes, choosing elevated, sheltered spots where they can build nests and raise their young.

According to the RSPCA, common pigeon nesting sites on UK properties include:

• Chimneys and chimney pots – sheltered areas around chimney structures.
• Gutters and roof edges – ledges and corners where nesting materials can collect.
• Balconies and windowsills – particularly recessed or sheltered areas.
• Building ledges and openings – including sheltered gaps in exterior structures.
• Lofts and roof spaces – where pigeons can gain access through openings.
• Solar panels can also provide nesting sites. The sheltered gap beneath rooftop panels offers cover from the weather, making it an attractive location for feral pigeons.

Away from buildings, woodpigeons commonly nest in trees and dense hedges, including those found in gardens and rural areas. The next section explains how nesting locations differ between pigeon species.

Do pigeons nest in trees?

Yes. While feral pigeons usually nest on buildings, several other UK pigeon and dove species prefer trees, hedges and woodland habitats.

• Woodpigeons: Commonly build their nests on tree branches and in hedges, including those in gardens, parks and woodland. The BTO lists deciduous woodland as their most frequently recorded breeding habitat.
• Stock doves: Nest in cavities, particularly holes in trees, but may occasionally use rabbit warrens, according to the RSPB.
• Collared doves: Build simple twig nests in trees and shrubs, including those found in urban gardens.
• Turtle doves: Summer visitors to the UK, usually present from mid-April to September. They nest in dense scrub and tall, wide hedgerows, often favouring thorny plants such as hawthorn.

Are pigeon nests in trees protected?

Yes. Pigeon nests in trees and hedges have the same legal protection as those on buildings. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is generally an offence to damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is being built or used, subject to applicable legal exceptions and licences. The RSPCA advises leaving tree and hedge cutting until autumn or winter, when nesting activity is usually lower. Always check for active nests before starting work, regardless of the season.

How do pigeons construct their nests?

Pigeons build a platform-like nest, rather than a cup shape, with each parent taking on different roles in the nest building process. They use twigs, sticks, leaves, grass and other natural materials, loosely arranged into a shallow structure. On balconies, roof ledges and inside lofts, their nests often look like untidy piles of twigs.

Both parents have different roles in nest building. The male typically collects the materials, while the female arranges them into the nest. Although these structures may appear fragile, the RSPCA notes that accumulated droppings can help strengthen them over time.

Pigeons also tend to return to the same nesting locations. This means that clearing an old nest may not prevent pigeons from nesting there again. Once the nest is no longer in use and removal is lawful, suitable bird proofing can help prevent access to the site. Before removing any nest, check whether it is active and whether legal restrictions apply.

The pigeon life cycle: from first egg to fledgling, stage by stage

The following stages describe the typical breeding cycle of feral pigeons in the UK.

Because the next clutch can start while the previous chicks are still in the nest, an active site can stay occupied for months. Pigeons typically start breeding at about one year old. They live around three years on average, and BTO’s oldest ringed record for the species is 7 years 8 months.

Pigeon eggs and squabs: what do they look like?

Pigeon eggs are about 39 × 29 mm and weigh about 18g. A female usually lays two eggs per clutch. Baby pigeons are called squabs. They hatch with pink skin, a large beak and sparse yellow down. As they develop, feathers gradually replace the down. By the time they leave the nest, young pigeons are almost fully feathered and resemble adults.

What should you do if you find a baby pigeon?

The RSPCA recommends different actions depending on whether the bird is a fledgling or a nestling.

• Fully feathered fledgling: Leave it alone if it appears healthy. Its parents are probably nearby and may return to feed it. Only move it a short distance if it is in immediate danger. Step away and check again after about an hour. If the bird is still there with no parent present, contact a vet for advice.
• Partially feathered nestling: Contact a local vet, as the bird is not ready to survive outside the nest. The RSPCA advises against attempting to return a baby pigeon to its nest because doing so could disturb other young birds.

How to prevent pigeons from nesting

In the UK, getting rid of the pigeons involves getting familiar with a few laws regulating the matter. Any means of lethal control of pigeons or other wild birds are usually illegal according to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, unless an exception applies. This means that your goal should be to deter the birds and prevent them from nesting. There are several tactics you can leverage in order to rid of the nesting pigeons:

• Make their roosting areas unappealing
• Remove any available food sources
• Install reflective objects and fake predators
• Install anti-roosting spikes
• Use bird netting over balconies and eaves
• Seal entry points to lofts and roof spaces
• Use visual deterrents and ultrasonic repellents

Can you legally remove a pigeon nest in the UK?

You can generally remove an old pigeon nest once it is no longer being built or used. However, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is normally illegal to damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it is being built or used, or to take or destroy its eggs, unless a legal exception or appropriate licence applies. Unlawful interference can result in an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.

If you find a pigeon nest on your property, follow these steps:

1. Check whether the nest is active. Look for signs of nesting activity, including eggs, chicks or adults regularly attending the nest.
2. Leave active nests undisturbed. Do not move or remove a nest containing eggs or dependent young without lawful authorisation. Normally, the safest approach is to wait until the young have fledged and the nest is no longer in use.
3. Arrange removal and prevention once the nest is inactive. When removal is lawful, the old nesting material can be cleared and suitable bird-proofing installed to discourage pigeons from returning. See our guide on how to keep pigeons away.
4. Seek professional advice if an active nest presents a serious problem. In England, Natural England’s general licences GL41 (public health or safety) and GL42 (prevention of specified serious damage) may permit authorised persons to act in circumstances covered by their conditions. These licences do not allow nest removal simply because pigeons are unwelcome. Where a general licence does not apply, an individual licence may be required.

What do the UK pigeon control licences allow?

In England, the 2026 general licences GL41 and GL42 cover specified activities involving feral pigeons, including their nests and eggs, where the relevant purposes and conditions are met.

Both licences are valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026. They include animal welfare requirements, and Natural England recommends keeping records of activities for at least three years. Always check the current licence conditions before arranging any work. These licences apply to England only. In Wales, consult Natural Resources Wales; in Scotland, check the relevant guidance from NatureScot.

After lawful nest removal, bird mites may occasionally move from abandoned nesting sites into buildings.