Agriculture chiefs, who last week said it was OK for people worried by wild birds to kill them, have offered an alternative to those unwilling to go that far: sticky gel.
The non-toxic, transparent gel makes surfaces uncomfortable for birds to land on and would be a good way to keep them away from buildings where large flocks are fuelling bird flu fears, according to an Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation spokesman.
'It is not so strong to actually trap the bird and prevent it from flying away. It is a kind of bird repellent,' the spokesman said.
The latest advice came after the department said last week it had no objections to members of the public killing wild birds like pigeons and house crows provided they did not use a slingshot.
The department then backtracked on the advice, saying it was a misunderstanding.
The latest solution to deter troublesome birds has also been a source of misunderstanding.
Yau Tsim Wong district councillor Austen Ng Po-shan said department officials told her about the gel yesterday after she complained about wild pigeons near the Prosperous Garden housing estate in Yau Ma Tei.