Which trio are the three birds most often becoming pests in the United States?

• A. Pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows
• B. Pigeons, crows, and waterfowl
• C. Robins, cardinals, and bluebirds
• D. Gulls, terns, and ospreys

Answer: (A)

Pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows are the three birds most often becoming pests in the United States. These species are highly adaptable, non-native birds that thrive in urban and suburban environments by roosting, nesting, and feeding around buildings, vents, and human activity. Their large populations create problems such as soiling of structures and sidewalks, corrosion and contamination of machinery, and neighborhoods filling with noisy roosts. Their prolific reproduction and tolerance for dense human-made habitats also allow them to outcompete native birds for nesting sites and food, making them the archetypal urban pest species.

Other options don’t fit as consistently. Robins, cardinals, and bluebirds are native songbirds and generally aren’t regarded as pests. Gull, tern, and osprey groupings include birds that can be problematic in certain settings, but they are not the same widespread, urban pest trio that these three non-native species represent.