Pigeons: the birds nesting under your solar panels.

Identifying pigeons

Columba livia

Rock pigeons are stocky birds, roughly a foot long, usually blue-gray with two dark bars on each wing and a green and purple sheen on the neck. Colors vary a lot, from white to brown to nearly black. They make a soft cooing sound and travel in flocks.

Pigeons nest and roost in protected spaces close to food and water. In the Valley they can breed year-round, so a nesting pair can keep raising young through much of the year. They return to the same spots and the droppings and nesting debris build up quickly. An established roost also signals to other pigeons that the spot is a safe place to settle.

The gap under rooftop solar panels is a favorite. It is shaded, protected from predators and out of the weather. Open ends on tile roofs, ledges, AC units, patio beams and chimneys also attract them. Bird feeders, pet food, fallen fruit and pools nearby make a home even more appealing.

Why they matter

Pigeon droppings stain roofs and stucco and can be corrosive over time. Nesting debris under solar panels can trap water and clog gutters and roof drains, and droppings can harbor fungi, bacteria and mites. Avoid dry-sweeping or blowing heavy buildup, which kicks up dust. The noise and mess are often what homeowners notice first.

Signs of activity

• Cooing and scratching sounds on the roof, especially early in the morning
• Droppings on driveways, patios, roof tiles and the edges of solar panels
• Twigs, feathers and nesting debris sticking out from under panels or tiles
• Birds flying in and out from under solar panels or the edge of the roof
• Clogged gutters or roof drains filled with nesting material

Prevention tips for Arizona homes

• Stop feeding birds and keep pet food inside
• Pick up fallen citrus and other fruit in the yard
• Have the gap around solar panels screened before pigeons settle in
• Close open ends on tile roofs with bird stops or similar exclusion
• Block ledges, beams and the tops of AC units where pigeons perch
• Act early, since birds that have nested in one spot keep coming back

When to call a pro

Once pigeons are nesting under your panels or roof, they rarely leave on their own. Bryce removes nesting material, cleans up the area and installs exclusion such as solar panel screening and roof bird stops, without damaging the panels or tile.