Birds
Pigeons
Pigeons are incredibly intelligent birds with exceptional navigation skills and even the ability to distinguish written words from random scribbles. These birds' depictions date back to Mesopotamia, the world's oldest civilization, where archaeologists unearthed cuneiform inscriptions about the bird from 3000 BCE. Even though common pigeons are a unique species, they can become a nuisance.
Damages from pigeons come from nesting and droppings. Their nests can cause blocked drains and vents, and groups of birds may create undesirable noises. Pigeons are social creatures that form flocks upwards of 30 members. Another concern is animal droppings which may contain harmful microorganisms. Droppings can also cause damage to properties and decrease the visual appeal of an area.
Crows
Crows are also well-known for their intelligence. These birds are able to problem solve, communicate, and even recognize human faces. They have been known to create basic tools to acquire food and water. Although there are many types of crows throughout the world, they all originate from the same genus. The most common crow in Arkansas is the American crow. Because the bird is so intelligent, it can cause various problems for humans. One common issue is they dig in trash containers when they search for food. They can also spread disease and make messes with droppings. Crows do not flock in groups as large as those of pigeons or starlings; instead, they congregate in family groups consisting of 2 to 8 crows.
English Sparrows
Sparrows are carnivorous birds, and just like starlings, they are not native to the US. When New York City faced an infestation of Linden Moth Larvae in the 1850s, the city decided to release a group of sparrows to eat the bugs. The sparrows not only saved the city from the infestation, but they also adapted well to the city's ecosystem, thriving on the readily available food from humans.
There are more than 540 million sparrows across the United States now, and they are one of the most common birds in the world; Northwest Arkansas has more than its fair share of them. Sparrows frequently make their way inside homes and businesses. Because they are such an aggressive species, the birds will attack other birds' nests and push desirable songbirds out of an area.
Starlings
The European Starling is not native to North America. In 1890 a group of Shakespeare fans wanted to see the creature that was mentioned in some plays in the wild. They released roughly 100 starlings in New York's Central Park. In short order, the birds adjusted to the new environment, and the population grew and grew. Today there are about 200 million Starlings in the US. Many consider the European Starling a pest because of their pervasiveness and the threat they pose to crops.
They are frequently a problem for farmers because they consume cattle feed. They can transmit diseases to livestock and can create sanitation hazards if they decide to nest indoors. Starlings are aggressive birds, and because they are so widespread, they pose the risk of outcompeting other species.