Sharing the Shore: On Dogs, Birds, and Interspecies Peace

Shared space on the shoreline. photo: AdobeStock

Dogs and birds don’t always get along. A short walk down my urban street can create chaos if my (leashed) dog happens upon a crow snacking on discarded food. Even with the harness and secure leash, apparently his hunting instinct cannot let him pass up an opportunity to lunge at the bird. I’m not sure if it’s a city crow thing, or maybe just unique to San Francisco, but those crows seem to have little to no fear of my dog. 

I have witnessed crow aggressions to canines, too. One day, as I sat in my home, I heard a bit of a bird-cawing ruckus. Normal. But this one continued and escalated. Finally, I peeked out the window to see a coyote, strutting down the middle of the road, with a flock of birds not far overhead. Angry birds indeed! 

The San Francisco Commission on Animal Control and Welfare hosts a variety of experts throughout the year, and my notion of interspecies peace was broadened when the commission invited Glenn Phillips, Executive Director of the Golden Gate Audubon Society, to speak at its March 2022 meeting. We have a responsibility to consider the welfare of all the species who live in our city, from impeccably groomed poodles to injured skunks. In the city of St. Francis, all animals are respected. 

Mr. Phillips discussed the annual bird count conducted around the country by countless volunteers who spend hours identifying species and counting flocks on a single day. A detailed analysis of the 2021 San Francisco Christmas Bird Count Report found 187 species of birds in San Francisco on that one day. Wow! 

Most of us know about the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill, gulls, pigeons, and the Great Blue Heron. But, for me, that was about the extent of my knowledge of our local bird life, at least until the presentation by Mr. Phillips. From redwood groves to sand dunes, our diverse landscape is home to many species of birds, as well as providing temporary digs for migrating flocks passing through. 

Mr. Phillips then moved on to discuss threats to birds. “Cats,” I thought, a bit smugly, as I consider myself a dog person. And, yes, cats do account for a horrifying share of bird kills. According to National Geographic, domestic cats in the lower 48 United States kill between one to four billion birds annually. Of course, keeping cats indoors or equipping them with small bell collars if they go outside are easy solutions to lower the number of birds lost each year to domestic pets.

But dogs may also pose a threat to our bird population, an issue that fueled discussions about dog rules in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Beginning in 2016, the commission hosted meetings about the GGNRA Dog Management Plan, providing space for public discourse and allowing experts and members of the public to voice their opinions. At times heated, these meetings provided all stakeholders with the opportunity to learn and express their views.

As I considered the Audubon Society’s commitment to bird conservation, I remembered how difficult the proposed GGNRA policy changes were for our human and dog population. And how the court eventually ordered that the GGNRA’s original 1979 dog policies remain intact.

Today, the GGNRA publishes a Dog-Friendly National Park guide. Reminding visitors to “Watch Your Paws,” it gives dog guardians simple rules to follow when visiting our beaches. Many, if not all, are rules we should adhere to wherever we go with our dogs. Keep dogs on leash in parking lots. Do not leave pets unattended. And my favorite: no dogs on Alcatraz. I would hate for my dog to miss the last ferry off that island. 

Maybe our friends in New York City can teach us something about living in harmony with each other and nature. The New York City Audubon Society created a campaign called Share The Love #ShareTheShore. It simply asks folks to give beach-nesting birds 100 feet of space. That’s not a lot to ask. I can easily stay 100 feet away from a bird. And, since I don’t walk my dog on a 100-foot leash, that should be simple enough for both of us, at least in the leashed areas. 

San Franciscans are passionate about their dogs, and their parks, as we should be. But promoting harmony need not be complicated. With a little goodwill and common sense, there is enough for us all to enjoy.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare (Animal Commission) meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. As of April 2022, meetings are still being held virtually over WebEx. Details at sfgov.org/animals