Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on bird-related complaints
Feb 20, 2017
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for National Development
(a) how many bird-related complaints have been received in the past three years;
(b) what is being done to solve the problem of birds invading hawker centres to feed on leftover food; and
(c) what is the Ministry doing to curb the bird population in the heartland estates.
Answer:
In the past three years, AVA has received around 21,000 cases of bird-related feedback. The vast majority pertain to pigeons, specifically the feeding of pigeons by the public and pigeon nuisance in general.
Birds are attracted to hawker centres due to the availability of food. Food scraps left behind will also create public health issues if they attract pests such as cockroaches and rats. To minimise this, NEA works with Town Councils and table-cleaning contractors to clear leftover food in hawker centres as quickly as possible. NEA has also been encouraging patrons to return their crockery and trays to tray-return stations. These measures help to reduce the problem of birds feeding on leftover food in hawker centres.
Besides removing leftover food, NEA and Town Councils have been progressively adopting designs that deter birds for hawker centres such as bird spikes and bird wires on ceiling beams to prevent birds from perching in these areas.
For residential estates, AVA has been working with Town Councils on measures to manage the bird population. This includes the use of bird deterrent gels, oral contraceptives for pigeons, and fogging trees to deter mynahs. For example, AVA worked with the Choa Chu Kang Town Council on a bird deterrent gel trial from February 2015. The gel was found to be effective in the block where it was tested, and AVA has shared the solution with other interested stakeholders who may be keen to adopt such a measure.
Most importantly, the public has a role to play in curbing the bird population by maintaining the cleanliness of the overall environment and not feeding the birds. To this end, AVA, NEA and Town Councils are working together to educate residents not to litter or to feed birds, through advisories, posters and even through grassroots events. NEA will take enforcement action against offenders who do not comply.