MBTA Explores Using Falcons to Deter Station Pigeons

The transit agency is evaluating a falconry program to manage bird populations across the Boston rail network.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Bird Watching

Bold vector editorial illustration of a peregrine falcon perched on a subway column, representing avian transit management. — The MBTA is launching a new falconry program to manage pigeon populations across Boston transit stations to reduce infrastructure damage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should transit agencies use birds of prey to manage pigeon infestations at your local stations?

The MBTA is initiating a procurement process for falconry services to deter pigeons from its transit stations. The plan follows a 2026 pilot program that saw the successful relocation of over 300 birds.

Why it matters

Pigeons cause significant infrastructure corrosion and pose health risks to commuters by transmitting infections like cryptococcosis through their droppings. The agency is turning to natural predators after traditional methods like netting and sonic devices have proved insufficient.

The agency previously relocated over 300 pigeons during 2026. Three companies have submitted bids for the new falconry services contract.

The players

MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the primary public agency responsible for operating transit services in the Greater Boston area.

The details

Falconry professionals will be tasked with flying raptors at transit stations to discourage pigeon nesting and loitering. The MBTA continues to maintain general station cleanliness through separate contracts with a third-party vendor.

In 2026, the MBTA successfully trapped and relocated over 300 pigeons.
By October 2026, the MBTA concluded the search for falconry bidders.
A pilot program is scheduled to launch in the coming months.

Culture Shift

The use of live raptors to manage urban wildlife signals a shift away from static deterrents like spikes and netting. This approach mimics successful natural predator programs implemented by transit systems elsewhere, such as the BART falconry program in San Francisco.

Commuters at affected stations may see changes in bird activity as the raptors are introduced to the environment. These efforts aim to improve station hygiene and reduce the maintenance issues often caused by pest droppings.

The takeaway

The MBTA shift toward biological deterrents highlights the difficulty of managing urban wildlife within complex transit infrastructure. Residents can look forward to cleaner station environments as the agency attempts to mitigate the long-term damage caused by pigeon waste.