Feeding ban for pigeons and waterfowl

Pigeons
The feeding ban aims to reduce the pigeon population in the city area or to stabilize it at a low level and to reduce health hazards for the population, pollution or damage to buildings and monuments by pigeon droppings.
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However, containing large populations of pigeons in cities continues to be a problem. The public order department of the state capital Stuttgart receives complaints about pigeon swarms time and again. These occur wherever pigeons are regularly fed or food is laid out for pigeons and other birds. Often flocks of pigeons leave behind concentrated amounts of droppings in a confined space. Pigeon congregations in a confined habitat create stress in individual birds and increased levels of infestation and contamination. Mortality rates in nestlings increase. Young birds are tormented by parasites and eventually die in agony. With a reduced food supply, flocks disintegrate. The animals migrate to urban fringe areas where they find natural food sources. They are in no way threatened by starvation. Thus, the feeding ban also protects the pigeon population.

Waterfowl
The feeding ban on more waterfowl is also necessary because of the increasing health threats posed by the overpopulation of these species. Due to the increasing urbanization of entire populations, waterfowl are colonizing more and more niches in urban areas. They contaminate adjacent meadows and riparian areas with droppings, which can pose an increased risk of infection to playing children and walkers. The abundant food offered or laid out throughout the year induces waterfowl to settle and increases the number of offspring raised. However, the feed used does not usually correspond to the natural feeding habits of the birds, which feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and portions of riparian vegetation, as well as small animals such as worms and snails.

Scope
All green spaces serving and accessible to the public as well as playgrounds, ball fields, trendy playgrounds, including the paths, squares and water areas located therein (all above-ground lakes, ponds, pools, fire lakes, park lakes and other water areas accessible to the general public, including the entire course of the Neckar River in the city area. Public water bodies also include their immediate banks and edges as well as adjacent paths and green strips).

Fine
Violations of the feeding ban are punishable by a one-time fine of 35 Euros, in case of repetition up to 5000 Euros.

Further information
 Feeding prohibited PDF-File 1,08 MB