The city of Xanthi in northeastern Greece has become so overrun by pigeons that it has been forced to enlist some unusual helpers. The local authority has launched an initiative in response to increasing concerns over hygiene, cleanliness and damage to public monuments and infrastructure caused by the birds’ droppings.

As a result, the local authority has announced its intention to release specially trained falcons into Xanthi’s city centre. In a programme slated to last five months, the professional falconers will be hired to train an undisclosed number of falcons to repel pigeons from roosting in buildings, trees and statues. The initiative is being heralded as an eco-friendly option as the use of raptors creates a naturally hostile environment for pigeons, encouraging them to leave without resorting to toxic substances or invasive methods.

The plan will unfold in three phases. Firstly, the birds of prey will be introduced to the urban environment to acclimatise. Then, they will take on daily flights over the square to reduce pigeon presence. Finally, periodic visits will be made to ensure long-term effectiveness.

Officials have emphasised that the project not only addresses a pressing urban issue but also promotes ecological awareness among residents, urging the public to stop feeding birds in open areas.

However, the initiative has not been approved by local conservation groups, and one critic has dubbed it “medieval.”

“The first reason is that falconry involves keeping wild animals in captivity. The second is that pigeon populations can now be controlled with feed that makes them sterile,” Anna Maria Zafeiriadou, a spokesperson for the Adepotoulia Xanthis animal protection group told Mega TV.

The pigeons will just “leave the square and move further into the city”, she added.

Falconry - the act of hunting wild birds in their natural state and habitat using trained birds of prey - has existed for millennia. Evidence suggests that the art may have begun in Mesopotamia, with the earliest accounts dating to around 2,000 BC.

Historically, falconry was a popular sport among the nobles of medieval Europe and Asia. Long after it stopped being practised on a grand scale, it remained a symbol of status. It reached its zenith in the UK in the 17th century, but soon faded as firearms became the hunting tool of choice.

The Book of Saint Albans, first printed in 1486, provides a hierarchy of hawks and the social ranks for which each bird was supposedly appropriate. Emperors would fly an eagle or vulture, while a king would fly a gyrfalcon. An earl would fly a Peregrine falcon, a lady a merlin and a young man a hobby. A knave or servant would fly a kestrel.