The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is introducing bird netting on air-conditioner ledges at two HDB blocks in Punggol and Toa Payoh. This is a trial aimed at preventing pigeons from landing and building nests on ledges, which can affect residents. HDB said it will also study how different ledge designs influence pigeon nesting habits.
Tender and Installation Plans
On December 1, HDB called for a tender for the design, supply, and installation of the netting, which will cover 35 units—15 flats in Punggol and 20 in Toa Payoh. The exact blocks have yet to be finalized. According to tender documents, the netting must be fire-resistant, have top covers and sides that can open for maintenance, allow sufficient ventilation to prevent hot air buildup from the air-con, and not block clothes drying racks.
Trial Timeline and Study Approach
The trial is expected to begin in the first half of 2026 and will run for 13 months. Initially, the netting will be tested on a mock-up unit at HDB’s Centre of Building Research. HDB will then install the netting in selected units, after which air-con ledges will be cleaned, and any nests, chicks, or eggs will be removed humanely. Netting will be installed for the remaining units after one year of observation.
The selected contractor, wildlife consultant Mastermark, will monitor pigeon numbers and species, document food sources such as residents feeding birds, and observe bird locations before and after netting is installed. Up to 10 pigeons may be captured for tagging by a third-party research team. The contractor will also minimize inconvenience and prevent damage to residents’ homes during the study.
Community and National Efforts
HDB will collect feedback from residents and town councils throughout the study. The pilot complements the National Parks Board’s (NParks) ongoing pigeon management efforts, which have reduced pigeon populations by 50 percent in certain areas through better waste management and public education.
