London’s Kings Cross hires hawks for pigeon prevention – in pictures

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  Mr Bell takes another Harris hawk, Denise, 14, to a balcony in the western concourse. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Denise, sits on top of the Kings Cross customer information sign before flying back to Mr Bell. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Aria the hawk is not allowed to fly over the train platforms because of the overhead power lines – one of the reasons pigeons must be kept away. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Mr Bell flies his birds three days a week for four hours at a time. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Mr Bell also walks around with Aria on his arm. The mere presence of the raptor, which is native to North America, is enough to deter pigeons. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Aria the hawk has been flown at Kings Cross regularly for more than a year. But as a contractor, she likely does not get a pension. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Harris hawks such as Denise, can grow up to 59 centimetres long and have a wingspan of 120cm. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Max Bell and Denise keep the pigeons at bay in the western concourse of Kings Cross. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

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  Mr Bell is not allowed to fly his hawks fly over the train platforms because of the overhead power lines – one of the reasons pigeons must be kept away. Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images.

Generally, hawking things in a train station is frowned upon – unless it involves an actual bird of prey. Public areas such as London’s Kings Cross Station employ the raptor handler Max Bell to fly his birds around regularly and strike fear into the tiny hearts of pigeons that could otherwise disrupt the area.