Pigeons are a common sight in cities and towns across the world. While some view them as pests, others enjoy feeding them. When feeding pigeons, it’s important to do so in a responsible way that supports pigeon health and reduces conflict with people. Here we’ll look at the best practices for feeding pigeons, including what to feed them, how much, and techniques to minimize problems.
Why Do People Feed Pigeons?
There are several reasons why people enjoy feeding pigeons:
- Connecting with nature – For city dwellers, feeding pigeons is a way to connect with wildlife and nature.
- Compassion – People may feel empathy for pigeons and want to make sure they have access to food.
- Interaction – Hand-feeding pigeons allows for fun, close interaction with the birds.
- Tradition – Feeding pigeons has long been a tradition in public spaces like parks and town squares.
- Photography – Photographing pigeons up close while feeding them makes for interesting photos.
While most people’s intentions in feeding pigeons are good, it’s important to do so properly to support pigeon and human health.
What Do Pigeons Eat?
Pigeons are omnivores and opportunistic feeders. Their natural diet consists of:
- Seeds
- Fruit
- Plants
- Insects
- Spiders
- Worms
- Grains
- Bread
- Scraps
Pigeons have adapted well to urban environments where food waste is abundant. They enjoy human food scraps like chips, fries, baked goods, sandwiches, popcorn and more. However, these foods offer poor nutritional value.
Best Practices For Feeding Pigeons
When feeding pigeons, follow these best practices:
What to Feed
- Whole grains – Healthy options include wheat, barley, rice, oats, etc.
- Bird seed mixes – Look for a mix designed for doves.
- Peas – Defrosted frozen peas are nutritious.
- Leafy greens – Kale, spinach, lettuce or other greens provide nutrients.
- Chopped fruits/veggies – Small pieces of apple, berries, carrot, melon etc.
Avoid processed foods like bread, chips, cookies and crackers which offer limited nutritional value.
How Much to Feed
It’s easy to overfeed pigeons. Feed only an amount that will be consumed in 10-15 minutes. For a small group of pigeons, start with 1/4 cup of food and adjust as needed. This prevents food waste and contamination.
Feeding Technique
- Feed in open spaces away from buildings and sidewalks to minimize mess.
- Scatter food over a wide area to prevent crowding.
- Shake food out of a bag or container instead of dumping.
- Avoid hand feeding, which encourages aggressive behavior in some birds. If hand feeding, hold your palm flat.
Clean Up
Always clean up leftover food remains after feeding. This prevents rodent and insect issues. Brush or sweep areas thoroughly.
Why Bread Should be Avoided
Many people feed pigeons bread because it’s widely available. However, nutritionists strongly advise against feeding bread to pigeons for these reasons:
- Lacks nutrients – Bread contains empty carbohydrates and calories with limited protein and vitamins.
- Bloating – The simple carbs in bread are hard for pigeons to digest and can cause crop inflammation.
- Angel wing – A deformity caused by nutritionally inadequate food like bread.
- Deferred hunger – Bread does not satisfy pigeons’ nutritional needs, leaving them hungry again soon after eating.
- Poor development – Chicks raised on diets high in bread may fail to develop healthy muscles, bones and feathers.
Pigeons thrive on nutrient-rich whole grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables. By avoiding bread, their health can be supported long-term.
Alternative Foods to Bread
Here are healthier alternatives pigeons will enjoy:
Food | Nutritional Benefits |
---|---|
Wheat berries | High in carbohydrates and protein |
Oats | Good source of fiber, magnesium and vitamin E |
Bird seed | Provides a combination of nutrients from seeds, grains, dried fruit etc. |
Peas | Packed with vitamins A, K, B6, fiber and protein |
Corn | Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, phosphorus |
Barley | High in B vitamins, iron, magnesium and manganese |
Tips for Attracting Pigeons
If you’d like to regularly feed pigeons, here are some tips to attract them to your feeding area:
- Set up feedings at the same time daily – pigeons are creatures of habit and will learn the schedule.
- Choose open spaces away from buildings and high human traffic.
- Scatter feed over a wide area to minimize crowding and behavior issues.
- Provide fresh water in a shallow dish – pigeons drink after eating.
- Offer roosts like ledges or statue heads for resting near the feeding area.
- Utilize bird houses, bird baths, nesting materials to make the space attractive.
- Plant pigeon-friendly vegetation like berries and grasses.
With time and consistency, you can create an ideal outdoor space to regularly feed and observe urban pigeons comfortably.
Regulations on Feeding Pigeons
Before feeding pigeons, be sure to check your local regulations, as some municipalities prohibit or restrict feeding pigeons and other wildlife. Reasons may include:
- Population control – Reducing available food may curb growing pigeon populations.
- Health concerns – Accumulated droppings may pose a health hazard.
- Property damage – Droppings can damage buildings, statues etc.
- Rodent and insect issues – Left out food can attract rats, mice, cockroaches, etc.
Fines for violating feeding bans can range from $25 to $1,000 in some cities. If restricted, consider providing food on private property instead of public spaces.
Benefits of Feeding Pigeons
Beyond personal enjoyment, feeding pigeons can provide ecological benefits:
- Supplemental nutrition – Helps support urban pigeon populations.
- Reduce starvation – Access to food prevents extreme hunger in baby and molting birds.
- Discourage relocation – Well-fed pigeons are less likely to relocate to find food.
- Reduce aggression – Regular feedings means less fighting over scarce food.
- Promote diversity – Attracts different species besides invasive Rock Pigeons.
Managed properly, bird feeders can help sustain urban biodiversity.
Problems Caused by Feeding Pigeons
Irresponsible feeding can lead to issues for birds and people, including:
- Malnutrition – From being fed human “junk food” like chips or crackers.
- Diseases – Salmonella, avian pox and trichomoniasis spread quicker with crowding.
- Aggressive behavior – Crowding leads to increased fighting over food.
- Mess – Pigeon droppings accumulate on buildings, sidewalks, etc.
- Property damage – Droppings erode stonework and metal structures.
- Declining public health – Droppings harbor bacteria and fungal spores that impact air quality.
- Declining property values – No one wants to live in an area covered in feathers and droppings.
Following best practices minimizes these problems for both pigeons and communities.
Public Health Concerns
Large amounts of pigeon droppings can pose a public health concern by allowing growth of bacteria and fungal spores. Specific illnesses linked to pigeon droppings include:
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus that grows in accumulated droppings. Spores can become airborne when dry droppings are disturbed. Severe infections can be serious in those with compromised immune systems.
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a rare fungal disease that can cause lung or brain lesions. It’s contracted by inhaling dried droppings.
Psittacosis
Also called parrot fever, psittacosis is a bacterial disease that can spread to humans. Infected pigeons shed the bacteria in droppings and nasal discharges.
To minimize health risks, droppings should never be handled directly. Hazmat crews in protective gear may be called in for large-scale urban guano removals. Avoid stirring up spore-laden guano dust by sweeping or pressure washing droppings accumulations.
Pigeon-Related Damage
One downside of feeding flocks of pigeons is the toll their acidic droppings take on infrastructure over time. Some examples of pigeon-related damage include:
- Statue/monument defacement – Droppings etch stonework and streak bronze statues green.
- Decaying buildings – Droppings erode mortar and deteriorate surfaces.
- Corroded metal – Ammonia in guano corrodes metals like copper cladding.
- Hazardous walking surfaces – Slippery sidewalks and plazas create liability issues.
- Tree/shrub loss – Soil acidification from guano accumulations kills landscaping.
- Contaminated balconies – Mites and dried droppings make balconies unusable.
Routine gentle pressure washing can reduce buildup on statues, buildings and walkways. Public feeding bans aim to limit these issues.
Economic Impact
One study estimated the annual financial impact of pigeons on businesses in a small Canadian city:
Type of Loss | Annual Cost (CAD) |
---|---|
Droppings clean-up | $51,000 |
Building repairs | $436,000 |
Pest control | $384,000 |
Landscaping replacement | $21,000 |
Total: | $892,000 |
While not all cities keep records this detailed, costs of this magnitude demonstrate the economic burden posed by large pigeon populations.
Pigeon Deterrents
For properties plagued by problematic pigeon loitering and roosting, there are several effective deterrents:
Spikes
Pointed spike strips on ledges make perching unwelcome and uncomfortable for pigeons. They come in plastic, stainless steel or copper.
Netting
Plastic or nylon netting over alcoves, eaves and chimneys blocks access for roosting and nesting. It should be checked regularly for tears.
Repellent gels
Non-toxic clear gel repellents can be applied to ledges and roosts. Pigeons dislike the tacky feeling on their feet. Reapply often.
Falconry
Some companies use trained hawks and falcons to scare and chase off pigeons from properties. This traditional method takes advantage of the natural predator relationship.
Deterrents should be installed humanely – proper spikes allow pigeons to perch but not nest. Applied correctly, they can persuade pigeons to relocate away from high-traffic buildings.
Pigeon Population Control
Here are some practices cities use to control pigeon populations to more sustainable levels:
- Feeding bans – Makes food less available to limit reproduction.
- Egg/nest removal – Curbing successful breeding reduces growth.
- Roosting deterrents – Discourages roosting on buildings.
- Contraception – Birth control drugs reduce hatching rates.
- Culling – As a last resort, some cities capture and euthanize excess pigeons.
A comprehensive strategy adjusts tactics as the population rises and falls. Key to success is making an area less inviting overall to roosting and nesting pigeons.
Pigeon Rescues and Sanctuaries
Compassionate rehabilitation programs exist for sick, injured and orphaned urban pigeons:
- Singapore Kindness Project – Public education on humane pigeon deterrents.
- Pigeon Patrol – UK rescue organization that re-homes adoptable pigeons.
- NYCPRC – New York City Pigeon Rescue Central.
- Pigeons As Pets – Resources for adopting rescued pigeons.
- Palomacy – San Francisco bay area pigeon rescue and sanctuary.
These nonprofits aim to reduce cruelty and provide medical care to suffering pigeons. Adopted pigeons unable to survive in the wild live out their lives in tranquil sanctuaries.
Key Takeaways on Feeding Pigeons
- Use healthy, nutritious foods like grains and birdseed – avoid bread.
- Feed in moderation to avoid waste accumulation.
- Scatter food widely in open areas.
- Clean up leftovers promptly after feeding.
- Educate children how to interact gently with pigeons.
- Follow local regulations on feeding wildlife.
- Correct deterrents can resolve issues with roosting birds.
- Humane control measures can stabilize urban pigeon populations.
Feeding pigeons can be enjoyable but should be conducted responsibly. With some finesse, pigeons and people can coexist in shared spaces successfully.
Conclusion
Pigeons have lived alongside humankind for millennia. While often overlooked, they are a characteristic sight of modern city life. Feeding pigeons can be a rewarding pastime if done properly and in moderation. With some care and common sense, problems typically associated with pigeons can be minimized. At many public parks and squares around the world, feeding pigeons remains a beloved tradition. By adhering to best practices and considering the needs of both birds and people, we can sustain healthy pigeon populations while avoiding conflicts with the human population. If you desire a connection with nature and wildlife right in the urban landscape, then get out and give feeding the pigeons a try!