New Venetian Law is For the Birds

Apparently we're on the bird-poo beat these days. But I was interested to hear that a municipal ordinance in Venice has outlawed the feeding of pigeons in St. Mark's Square. Could a character of the city nearly as iconic as its canals really be abolished? And more interestingly, should it? The International Herald Tribune explains:

Like other metropolises with a significant pigeon population, including New York and London, Venice has long been concerned with the potential hazards the birds pose to human health, not to mention the damage caused by their guano and taste for marble. Previous efforts to control their numbers—nets, spikes and electronic contraptions to deter perching—have been mostly unsuccessful.

What has made the situation particularly drastic in Venice is the spiraling number of tourists—about 20 million a year by official estimates—which has triggered a whole new law of nature: More tourists equals more birdseed sold and more garbage produced. That equals more pigeons and more damage to the historic buildings in the square, including the delicate mosaics on the façade of St. Mark's Basilica.

Scientists say that there are 40 times the number of pigeons in the square than what is considered safe for the public, and preservationists complain that their incessant pecking is undoing all of the restoration efforts there. The city government says it costs each taxpayers 275 euros a year to clean up their messes, but the 19 licensed birdseed vendors are crying fowl (pun intended), saying their livelihoods are essentially thwarted by the ordinance and are circulating petitions to tourists to reverse the law.

Meanwhile, without the birdseed, tourists have begun feeding pigeons chips and other people-food, which isn't really helping the matter. The city says they will begin fining reckless pigeon-feeders 50 euros for ignoring the ban. So far, police have been working to dissuade them without having to hand out tickets. We'll see how long that lasts.

What's your take: Is feeding the pigeons part of the experience of St. Mark's Square? Or is it better to ban the birdseed in order to preserve the buildings?

Photo: Tom Post via Flickr

Comments

[pam]

Rats with wings. Buildings over birdseed ANY day.

[Lauren Kilberg]

I would have to agree with Pam on this one. As a Chicago native, I have little patience for pigeons. While the practice of feeding the birds in St. Mark's Square is a tradition, the buildings hold a far higher precedence. In 100 years when the buildings are destroyed, will the people keep coming to Venice just to feed the birds?

[Caitlin]

The buildings are far more important than the pigeons. That's a no-brainer (or a bird-brainer)!

There's a precedent for this. They outlawed feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square in London a few years ago and it's a much nicer place as a result. They did the same at St Pauls. There's a lot of history with feeding pigeons in London (think of the bird woman in Mary Poppins) but it was still the right thing to do.

[Italy Travel Guy]

That's hilarious about the birds! I agree the buildings are way more important.

Kind of off topic but: Can anyone recommend any good Venice tours? I'm planning to travel to Italy later this year and am looking for some good Italy tours that focus on food/wine in the Venice area. Thanks in advance!