Misunderstood or a health hazard? How do u feel these days about pigeons?

Answer 1

Definitely misunderstood, and no more of a health hazard than any other bird.

While it's true that many consider pigeons a nuisance, the fault lies with people. Pigeons in North America are feral, brought here by people. Pigeons, aka rock doves, were cliff dwellers and adapted easily to life among humans - roosting on buildings and other man-made structures.

Pigeons are sweet-natured birds, and among other things, they were used during wartime as message carriers. For a very long time, they served humans - and their service is credited with saving many lives. During WW2, 32 pigeons in the UK were awarded The Dickin Medal, which is the highest possible animal's decoration for valor.

Many older folks remember the service and sacrifice of those wartime heros, and give their respect to the descendants. Unfortunately, many also feed them. While feeding them isn't all bad, it's what they are being fed. Like bread, and other processed food scraps. This increases the population, yet decreases their overall health - and makes them dependent on humans for food.

Pigeons who are dependent on human food sources also live among us. They roost on buildings, and leave behind their droppings. It is believed that pigeon droppings damage brownstone buildings.

There is an unusually high level of acid in pigeon droppings, also referred to as guano. Enough droppings, deposited over enough time could cause a potential problem to a building's surface. Many of these buildings are historic landmarks.

These droppings, rather than the birds themselves, are also the main source of health concerns. Fungus grows on droppings. Not unique to pigeon droppings, most strains also grow on bat guano and the droppings of other birds who roost in groups.

Fungus are spread when large amounts of built-up dried droppings are disturbed (by cleaning, construction, or demolition), thus spreading airborn spores. When inhaled, these can cause human illness.

The two most common fungal diseases associated with pigeons are histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. Histoplasmosis is caused by airborne spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum). Cryptococcosis is found worldwide caused by Cryptococcis neoformans (C. neoformans).

Serious illness and fatalities are rare, usually occuring in those with weaked immune systems - for most, infections are mild and occur without symptoms.

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I wonder whether people would feel differently about pigeons if they found that they were a direct descendant of a human who was saved by a pigeon during wartime. Do you owe your life to a pigeon?

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_pigeon

"The US Army Signal Corps alone used 600 pigeons in France. One of their carrier pigeons, a Black Check cock called Cher Ami, was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre with Palm" for heroic service delivering 12 important messages in Verdun. On his final mission in October 1918, he delivered a message despite having been shot through the breast or wing. The crucial message, found in the capsule hanging from a ligament of his shattered leg, saved around 200 US soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division's "Lost Battalion".

Answer 2

They are very nice birds but they can become a health hazard.
We could try this approach: set up pigeon cotes all over the city. Most of the pigeons would nest in them. Somebody could go around once a month or ever y 2 weeks and collect the eggs. This would seriously cut down on reproduction. But it wouldn't eliminate it, as pigeons would sometimes nest elsewhere and raise clutches of chicks.
Of course, this might lead to the evolution of pigeons that won't nest in a pigeon cote....

Answer 3

Feral pigeons do not have any more diseases or parasites than other breeds of wild birds. What makes them a health hazzard in many urban areas is the fact that there are too many birds in a small area. Any time you have large concentrations of bird excretement, it can pose a health hazzard. It is the same with Canada Geese and other waterfowl that crowd small lakes and ponds because people feed them.

Answer 4

They certainly could become a health hazard. If they are not continuously fed, they wouldn't often be a problem.

Answer 5

They are rats with feathers. The only good pigeon is the one that fed a hawk today.

Answer 6

wild pigeons can and do transmit diseases .
racing pigeons are treated for them as it would impare their speed.