What is true regarding frightening devices used to remove pigeons from an area?

The assertion that no practical alarm or distress signals have been found to effectively scare pigeons supports the understanding that many commonly used frightening devices are often ineffective over time. Pigeons, being resilient birds, can habituate to these deterrents, meaning they become accustomed to the frightening devices and learn that they pose no real threat. This results in a diminished response to these devices, leading to their failure in long-term repelling of pigeons.

In contrast, while scarecrows like stuffed owls might be visually appealing and the concept behind them intuitive, they do not usually result in a significant deterrent effect against pigeons, particularly in urban environments where these birds are accustomed to various artificial structures. Similarly, flags and dangling paper are often thought to create movement and noise that could scare away birds, but such methods typically do not maintain their efficacy over time due to habituation. Therefore, the consensus in pest management is that there is a lack of reliable, practical alarm or distress signals that consistently work against pigeons, affirming the accuracy of the assertion.