Feeding pigeons

Feeding pigeons is illegal in Singapore. Under the Wildlife Act, it is an offence to intentionally feed any wildlife, including pigeons, crows and other wild birds, without written approval from the authorities. Amendments passed in 2026 raise the maximum fines to S$10,000 for a first offence and S$20,000 for repeat offences, with possible jail for repeat offenders.

Key facts

• Status: banned without written approval
• Law: Section 5A, Wildlife Act (in force since 1 June 2020)
• Fine (2026 amendments): up to S$10,000 first offence, up to S$20,000 and/or 12 months’ jail for repeat offences
• Previous maximum: S$5,000 first offence, S$10,000 repeat
• Enforced by: National Parks Board (NParks)

Why is feeding pigeons banned in Singapore?

Singapore treats rock pigeons, house crows and Javan mynas as invasive species. Feeding them makes their numbers grow unnaturally, and they then compete with native birds. Their droppings also dirty housing estates and public spaces, which authorities see as a public hygiene problem.

Before 2020, feeding pigeons was punished under an older law with a fine of S$500. When the Wildlife Act came into force on 1 June 2020, the maximum penalty rose tenfold.

Is the law actually enforced?

Yes, and increasingly so. NParks says enforcement cases for illegal wildlife feeding rose from close to 150 in 2021 to more than 380 in 2025, most of them involving pigeons. About half of bird-feeding cases involved people aged 65 and above, and around 42% of 2025 cases involved repeat offenders. In early 2026, a 71-year-old woman was fined S$3,200 for feeding pigeons nine times in Toa Payoh.

Did the fines for feeding pigeons double in 2026?

Yes, the law has been changed. In May 2026, Parliament passed amendments to the Wildlife Act as part of a wider bill. They double the maximum fine to S$10,000 for a first offence and S$20,000 for repeat offences, add up to 12 months in jail for repeat offenders, and give courts the option of community-based orders. The government said the higher penalties would take effect in the second half of 2026.

Courts were already handing out large fines before the change: in 2026 a 64-year-old woman who kept feeding pigeons near Far East Plaza despite repeated warnings was fined S$6,500. Fines apply per charge, so several offences can add up quickly.

Can tourists be fined for feeding pigeons?

Yes. The law applies to everyone in Singapore. Do not scatter bread, rice or grain for birds in parks, hawker centres or housing estates.

Singapore is famous for strict rules on everyday behaviour, from the ban on selling chewing gum to the rule against drinking in public after 10.30pm. See them all on the Singapore bans page.

General information, not legal advice.