Are pigeons safe to live with??

Question

I live in an apartment in Sydney and, there is a balcony attached to my room. I've adopted a wild pigeon (not intentionally, it came by a few weeks ago and kept coming back everyday since then: arriving early in the morning and leaves at dawn). I'm happy to have it but the only problem I'm worried about is its pooh-pooh. I clean the balcony everyday but still, it smells birdy. As I said the balcony (now the birdcage) is right outside my living room, and I'm afraid I'll be breathing birdy air in my dreams. My question is if there is a way to thoroughly clean the pigeon's area so my health will not be affected while keeping the bird? Do I use some kinda disinfectant? Do I buy it from supermarkets? Is it toxic to humans?

Answer 1

If you clean with bleach or something containing bleach, you should be okay.

Answer 2

this is a hard one to answer because one yes if you keep the area good and clean every day it will stop the poop from turning in to the bad bacteria that can harm humans but on the other hand there is the triple E virus as well as the Bird Flue and the Mites on the bird can get in your home IF he doesn't keep himself clean and have help from another pigeon... So it really is your call on how close or not close you are with the animal ... I say keep it clean and find if you can get a spay to kill or irritate the other problems it could have ... Good Luck

Answer 3

When you adopt, you take the good with the bad. But most people in apartments keep pigeons on the roof. Pigeons poo is very strong. With birds inside we keep paper down to catch the poo. You might check at the hardware and maybe they can help you or even a pet shop.

Answer 4

you are doing the right thing by cleaning the bird droppings up.
be careful the dust from the droppings can cause lung complaints and disease, in some cases, the main thing is to keep the pigeon healthy most disease comes from the droppings of sick or distressed birds.
If you are a smoker the risks are greatly increased.
I don't mean to frighten you just make you aware of the risks.
ask a pet store what you can do to lessen the risk

Answer 5

IGNORE THE WHOLE BIRDFLU THING. The pigeon is safe to live with as long as you use a good disinfectant.

Answer 6

Be very careful. Pidgeon poop can carry alot of diseases and as mentioned is terrible for people with asthma. There are actually professionals out there who clean pidgeon poop off of large buildings and they wear gas masks when they work. Pidgeons will eat just about anything which makes them a big carrier of diseases.

Answer 7

Not if you want to be the wierd person that feeds a million pigeons.

Answer 8

my father always said to me that pigeons was not safe especially for people who has asthmatic..i think you should not keep that bird and try to ask some advice from veterinarian doctor..

Answer 9

generally, no. birds in general generate a lot of dust, dander and other particles into the air. wild birds, however, bring the added risk of fleas, pests and disease. imho, i would shoo him away until he stays away.

Answer 10

Not these days......... BIRD FLU SCARE!!!! Better stay away from birds...Prevention is better than cure.....
Read this joke to lighten up your day!
Bear: If I roar,the whole forest will shiver with fear.
Lion: If I roar, the whole desert will become silent.
Chicken: Big deal..... If I cough, the entire planet panics!!
Great joke right!

Answer 11

i used to raise pigeons ,but kept them outside,they are fun to watch,especially the tumblers,that i can not answer