Don’t Feed the Pigeons: Heavy Fines Loom for Australians Who Break Bird-Feeding Laws
While Australians are known for their love of wildlife, there are some animals that are best left to forage for themselves. In two Australian states, feeding birds, particularly pigeons, can result in hefty fines and even legal trouble.
The unusual laws are in place in South Australia and Western Australia. In these states, offering sustenance to local birds, whether it’s leftover scraps or carefully chosen treats, is considered a serious offense. The reasoning behind these laws isn’t simply about keeping things tidy.
Avinash Singh, from the Sydney law firm Astor Legal, told Yahoo News Australia: "This law was introduced to protect communities from local disturbances, such as flocks of birds, and to prevent rubbish from being scattered."
The South Australian Parliament emphasizes property values and using such laws to prevent behavior that could negatively impact communities.
Violators in South Australia could face fines of up to AUD 30,000 (Rp. 307 million) if their actions are deemed to be causing disturbances. Even if it’s not proven that they intended to cause a disturbance, fines up to AUD 10,000 (Rp. 102 million) can still be imposed.
Western Australia, while similar in approach, takes a slightly less stringent stance. Fines for breaking bird-feeding ordinances are capped at USD 20,000 (Rp. 204 million), though the law still prohibits feeding birds without official permission.
Considerations Beyond Cleanliness
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Just as humans react negatively to unwanted food scraps being strewn about, feeding fine feathered friends can also disrupt bird behaviors. WIRES, Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization, points out that feeding wild birds doesn’t just break local ordinances, it can lead to a cascade of unintended consequences.
Their message is clear: feeding wild birds does more harm than good.
Reading articles dated December 3, 2024, one can see how these issues play out: finding it’s not unusual for local councils to hand out fines based on evidence provided by neighbors. Incredibly, this evidence often includes photographs and videos capturing not only the number of pigeons but also the people feeding them.
Singh says that this has become a common occurrence, particularly in dense urban areas where pigeon populations are particularly prevalent.
It’s worth remembering that not every state has implemented such strict rules. In other parts of Australia, feeding birds might be handled more leniently at the discretion of local authorities.
Consider This Before Feeding
“The impact of feeding birds in public places is not only the fines. People need to understand that it can seriously harm the wild birds themselves.” Singh emphasizes. WIRES highlights the negative consequences:
• Increased Aggression: The temptation, among pigeons can lead to aggressive encounters.
• Stress and Dependency: This can lead to overcrowding and stress for birds used to scavenging for food.
• Unbalanced Ecosystem: Overfeeding can disrupt the natural balance by encouraging the growth of one species at the expense of others.
The Bottom Line
Always remember to admire wildlife from a distance and to respect local regulations.
What are the potential penalties for feeding birds in South Australia?
## Don’t Feed the Pigeons: A Chat with Avinash Singh
**Host:** Welcome back to “Legally Speaking.” Today we’re discussing a curious bird-related law in Australia. Joining us is Avinash Singh, a lawyer from Sydney firm Astor Legal, to shed some light on why feeding pigeons could land you in hot water. Thanks for being here, Avinash.
**Avinash Singh:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** So Avinash, this is a bit unusual. Why is feeding birds, particularly pigeons, against the law in South Australia and Western Australia?
**Avinash Singh:** While it may seem strange, it’s all about maintaining community harmony and hygiene. [This law was introduced to protect communities from local disturbances, such as flocks of birds, and to prevent rubbish from being scattered. ] [[1](https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/urban-legend-or-legislation-australias-weirdest-laws-explained/news-story/a0d85b1999b5933ef01a940f39e07b93)]
**Host:** So it’s not just about keeping things tidy? There’s more to it?
**Avinash Singh:** Absolutely. The South Australian Parliament specifically emphasizes property values and preventing behavior that could negatively impact communities. Large gatherings of birds can be noisy, create unsanitary conditions, and even damage property.
**Host:** And what are the penalties for breaking these laws?
**Avinash Singh:** The fines can be quite steep. In South Australia, violators could face a whopping AUD 30,000 if their actions are found to be causing disturbances. Even without proven intent to cause a disturbance, fines up to AUD 10,000 are possible. Western Australia takes a slightly softer stance, with fines capped at AUD 20,000, but feeding birds without official permission is still prohibited there. [[!]]
**Host:** That’s significant! What’s your advice for bird lovers in these states?
**Avinash Singh:** I think admiring birds from a distance is always a good option.
Providing them with food, however well-intentioned, can unfortunately cause more harm than good.
**Host:** Good advice to keep in mind. Avinash Singh, thank you for explaining these unusual laws to us today. Stay tuned for more fascinating legal discussions on “Legally Speaking”!
