City: '1st time' for 'such large numbers' of birds

Bird-dropping deluge hits downtown park


Benches and walkways are covered in bird droppings in Chapman Square. It's just one of many areas in Portland's downtown hit hard by roving bands of crows. KOIN's Joel Iwanaga reporting.

Benches and walkways are covered in bird droppings in downtown's Chapman Square. It's just one of many areas in Portland's downtown hit hard by roving bands of crows.

Portland leaders said they were caught by surprise by the city's influx of crows. And with the influx came droppings -- lots of them.

"It's as bad as I've ever seen," said tourist Joe Goodman on Thursday.

Those looking for a place to sit in downtown's Chapman Square were about out of luck Thursday afternoon.

"This is too bad," said Betsy Nesbit.

Nesbit moved to Portland 20 years ago for its beauty and cleanliness. Sure, nature is part of the allure -- but what these crows are leaving behind these days has much of downtown Portland looking "uncared for, just uncared for," she said.

Bird droppings were everywhere, covering the sidewalk and the park benches. It's what holiday tourists such as Joe Goodman, from Philadelphia, found as they were checking into downtown hotels, shopping and walking through the downtown parks.

"This is pretty much disgusting," Goodman said while passing by Chapman Square. "It's a mess. I was looking around for all and the birds, and I don't see them. It just looks like it hasn't been cleaned up in forever."

It's also possible health hazard for those who may breathe in the dried droppings. Droppings like this can contain bacteria that, when breathed in, can cause flu-like symptoms.

At Portland's Park & Recreation Department, managers said this is the first time these crows have taken up residence in downtown in such large numbers.

Development Manager Barrett Anderson sent the following statement to KOIN 6 News Thursday:
"There is a large group of crows roosting in the trees at Chapman Square this year. It is the first time such large numbers of the birds have taken up residence in the downtown square's natural habitat. Portland Parks & Recreation currently has limited staff on duty over the holiday, which has in turn limited our ability to pressure-wash the sidewalks. If the forecast for unseasonably dry weather continues, we will pressure wash the sidewalks after the first of the year."
City leaders said if the dry forecast continues, they will pressure-wash the area after the first of the New Year. So, until then, locals and out-of-towners alike will have to endure this...

"It's dirty, it looks tacky," said one passer by. "And there's not much more to say about that."