Attempts to purge Macquarie Street of annoying starlings have failed, again and again.

The pests have stood up to laser guns, distress call devices, high-pressure hoses and the pruning of trees.

Thousands of starlings converge on the city’s central business district, usually between November and May.

The result is mess and more mess, on cars, street furniture, pavers and even people.

Dubbo City Council sees a potential health risk to people using outdoor eating areas.

So, as confronting as it may be to some, the council is taking definitive action.

"In consultation with relevant government agencies, council will trial the control method of legally and ethically trapping the birds using large nets and humanely euthanising them," its parks and landcare director Murray Wood said yesterday.

Council also tells us that starlings, an introduced and aggressive species, are a threat to native birds.

Few would argue that it is overstepping the mark.

But the process of cleaning up Macquarie Street may be unsettling, even for those who agree that it must be done.

The person who comes up with a more acceptable alternative to putting down the starlings would earn a bright new feather for their cap.