The pigeons of Liverpool, England might want to lay off the fish and chips. Snacking on the locals' leftover fast food has left these small birds obese and grumpy, prompting city officials to prepare a robotic remedy. "Robofalcons" (which I kind of want to be my new IM and/or band name) will be installed atop various buildings throughout the city and programmed to squawk and flap their wings in an effort to scare their corpulent counterparts. Officials hope they'll be so spooked that they'll relocate to nearby parks or green areas.

Pigeons are supposed to subsist on seeds and insects, but residents are handing the birds treats like "sausage rolls or burgers," according to a city council member. Sounds like these birds are eating better than I am, although I'm not exactly sure what's involved in a sausage roll.

Trouble is, some people aren't convinced that it's actually going to help. A bird control expert claims that pigeons are "highly intelligent" birds and will soon realize their automated tormenters are a joke and return to their high-calorie hijinks.

Liverpool might want to get in touch with the Chinese about their brain chip implant for pigeons that controls movement, reported in Gearlog back in February.

If anything, I predict a rash of robofalcon thieves. I would absolutely buy one off eBay and put it in my cube as a personal bat signal.

[via Reuters]

Post by Chloe Albanesius