Robotic falcons poised to shoo away obese pigeons

While San Franciscans (and birdwatchers around the globe) enjoy the beauty of the Sutro Forest through a new MMO, British chaps are figuring out a way to rid a city of an apparent "obese pigeon" quandary. In order to shoo away the unsightly animals, a Scottish firm has delivered Robops to sit atop Liverpool rooftops and "flap their wings and squawk loudly to scare the problem pigeons away." Reportedly, the solution was crafted after officials (and citizens) grew tired of the increasingly nauseating droppings and incessant badgering for food. Proponents of the plan are hoping that the newly disturbed pigeons will find their way to parks and green pastures where their diet will be more balanced, but critics are suggesting that pigeons will "soon realize that these mechanical things are not a threat," effectively rendering the project useless after a short while.

[wslcrew @ Apr 20th 2007 10:36PM]

What's wrong with real falcons? Make it a new breeding ground for them!

[invincible @ Apr 21st 2007 1:39AM]

They actually do breed falcons here in Melbourne and let them nest on top of skyscrapers.

Although the benefit of robotic falcons is that they're less likely to get killed. On the other hand, real falcons are able to multiply.

[Alex @ Apr 20th 2007 11:46PM]

I may have to order one of these. Two pigeons have flown up from the sidewalk and whacked me in the face in the past year.

[ph @ Apr 21st 2007 1:52AM]

Wow. Now we are worried about obese pigeons? What about all the other problems in the world that robotics could be helping to solve? Why concentrate on fat pigeons?

[a1210 @ Apr 21st 2007 3:52AM]

Because pigeons are flying rats.

[wslcrew @ Apr 21st 2007 4:47AM]

Simple,
BIRD FLU (or other viruses)

[ph @ Apr 21st 2007 4:52AM]

"BIRD FLU (or other viruses)"

Ahh, that makes sense. :)

[joel @ Apr 21st 2007 6:20AM]

Robops? isnt it roboTs

[zoara @ Apr 21st 2007 6:23AM]

- Do you like our falcon?
- It's artificial?
- Of course it is.

[inlogic @ Apr 21st 2007 7:05AM]

Blade Runner/Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? :-)

[Richard Lai @ Apr 21st 2007 9:53AM]

Robotic falcons? Just get a bunch of kindergarten kids to chase them away!

[Graham @ Apr 21st 2007 10:02AM]

That Church looks like the One in Malta, in Floriana at the Granaries, just near the bus station.

WDF !? does a maltese church have to do with UK Robots? or San francisco?

[Paris K @ Apr 21st 2007 10:27AM]

They should bring some pelicans to the area. They seem to be doing a good job in London's parks. At least from youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNNl_uWmQXE

[Joseph A Borg @ Apr 21st 2007 3:56PM]

that's floriana, malta indeed

[o0adam0o @ Apr 21st 2007 5:06PM]

Looking at the pic...wouldnt a big sign that said "DONT FEED THE PIGEONS" help? Maybe Include a fine.....That will not only cost less but even generate $$$

[Xee @ Apr 21st 2007 7:33PM]

So in stead of having fat pigeons annoying you, you'll have loud, squawking robots annoying you. Makes sense to me.

[Scooter @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:08AM]

should work. In Rotterdam recently, and in other places in Europe, I have noticed models of crows placed on external window ledges, presumably in order to scare away pigeons. They don't move, but seem to work.
A pigeon that becomes accustomed to them and eventually ignores them will risk being wrong, and getting killed.
Pigeons are nice in the forest, but a blight in many cities.

[John Stracke @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:42PM]

Venice's approach is to sell pigeon feed containing contraceptives. Yes, really.

[Kev50027 @ Apr 23rd 2007 4:16PM]

That's incredible, but I guess it's necessary.