Over 350 pigeons flock around Seoul Station, topping city survey

Pigeons drink from a puddle at Seoul Station Plaza in Seoul, Saturday. Newsis

Seoul Station had the highest concentration of feral pigeons of any surveyed location in Seoul last year, with as many as 351 birds recorded in a recent government study.

These findings were published Sunday in a pigeon research report by Korea’s National Institute of Biological Resources, which launched the study last year due to an increase in complaints and social conflicts related to wild birds. The research aims to inform measures addressing damage caused by urban bird populations.

After surveying 45 major locations across Seoul, the researchers found that pigeons tended to cluster in areas with heavy foot traffic and frequent outdoor dining, such as parks along the Han River.

The pigeon survey was conducted twice, in February and November last year, at 36 designated “feeding prohibition zones” and nine areas without such restrictions. Researchers also carried out additional surveys in key locations, including 14 feeding-ban zones and seven nonrestricted areas, in March, April, May, July and August.

Among locations without feeding restrictions, Seoul Station was recorded as having the highest number of pigeons, with a maximum of 351 birds observed. Across the seven survey rounds conducted last year, the average number of pigeons observed at Seoul Station was 147.9.

A person stands among a flock of pigeons in the plaza near Seoul Station in Seoul, Dec. 12, 2022. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yoon

Seoul Station was followed by Cheongnyangni Station with a maximum of 151 pigeons and Olympic Park with 143.

Among the areas designated as having feeding bans, the largest pigeon population was recorded at Ichon Hangang Park, with as many as 322 birds counted in November. Gwangnaru Hangang Park followed with 228, while Yeouido Hangang Park followed with 193.

Researchers said that transportation hubs, such as Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station, have historically provided consistent human activity and food resources over long periods.

“Feral pigeons show strong site fidelity to places where they can repeatedly obtain food,” the report stated. “Population density tends to increase particularly in historically established urban spaces.”