Approximately 2,000 pigeons have been shot with rifles at railway stations across the United Kingdom, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The cullings have been carried out by various state-owned rail operators as a last resort for pest control.
At York Station alone, 152 birds were reportedly shot in a single day. The practice has drawn criticism, though proponents argue it is a humane method when executed correctly. "You just have to shoot them in the head," stated one individual, emphasizing that "good pest controllers always, always kill them in a humane manner."
A spokesperson for Network Rail acknowledged that many railway stations are attractive habitats for pigeons. They stated that a variety of deterrents, such as spikes and vapor-releasing gel pods, are employed first to discourage roosting. The decision to cull pigeons is made only when all other options have been exhausted.
Some rail operators have shifted away from shooting pigeons. As of December, Northern had ceased culling pigeons at its stations and depots. South Western Railway reported it had not ordered any shootings since March 2026, opting instead for egg removal where possible. Transport for Wales reported that 41 pigeons were shot at its stations in the final months of 2025.
Transpennine Express and Southeastern have not yet responded to the information request. Several train services, including London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, were only recently renationalized in February 2026 and may not have provided data for the requested period. Govia Thameslink Railway was also not included in the initial request as it had not yet entered public ownership at the time.