NEW YORK (AP) — A Long Island man dubbed “bird man” by neighbors was taken to the hospital and his home condemned after authorities found nearly 350 pigeons flying around inside.

Police and the SPCA say they found hundreds of pigeons flying freely inside the house in North Merrick. It took nearly 4 hours to capture them all.

A man in his seventies also lived there. He was taken to the hospital in a protective suit that’s used for hazardous materials.

Nassau County SPCA removing nearly 350 pigeons being hoarded in Merrick LI home w/ 2ft of feces and seeds #ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/lO3Y6Hwg0S— AJ Ross (@AJRossABC7) September 15, 2016

Hazmat teams wore full body suits and oxygen masks to protect themselves from the fumes. Officials said the homeowner also used an oxygen mask while living inside.

The pigeons were allowed to roam and fly around as they please.

Mountains of bird food & droppings litter N. Merrick home. Nassau SPCA removes 344 pigeons. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/vINqKlljKk— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) September 15, 2016

Crews said there were two feet of droppings and seed on the floor.

Rogers said it was the first time he’s seen a house become a pigeon coop. He said the pigeons will be placed with people who can care for them.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com