Councilman James Oddo, who represents Staten Island, points out that other strategies to drive out the pigeons, including spikes, nets and strips that provide a mild electric shock to any bird that lands on them, have had little success, The New York Post reported. OvoControl-P has another advantage -- the blessing of animal rights' groups.

Pigeons that have ingested OvoControl-P produce eggs that do not hatch because the drug interferes with development of a layer separating the yolk and white. Oddo, who is anti-abortion, has no problem with limiting pigeon reproduction.

He believes Staten Islanders should not have to worry about pigeons and pigeon droppings when they take the ferry to Manhattan.

"There is a morale factor here," he said.

The drug has not yet been approved for use in New York although it has been tried in Los Angeles and a similar one used on geese in New York.