Why Are Pigeons Gross?

No matter how lovable pigeons might be, you can’t deny that these birds are at the top of a nuisance. And there’s no denying that they are one of the dirtiest birds.

Talking of which, why are pigeons gross? Is there any particular reason? Pigeons have a very high metabolic rate. Also, you can’t forget that pigeons eat a lot throughout the day. That is why they tend to defecate pretty much everywhere, making them seem gross.

But is that the only reason pigeons have a bad reputation, or are there other factors? Well, you can soon get to know about it.

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Why Are Pigeons Considered Dirty?

As mentioned, pigeons have a bad reputation mainly due to their tendency to poop everywhere. But as you know, they can not really help it. These birds peck on food pretty much throughout the day.

They also have a high metabolism rate. That, combined with the tendency to continually eat something, makes them defecate too much. However, that is not the only reason these birds have a terrible reputation.

Pigeons are also known for transmitting bacterial and fungal diseases. And as you might have guessed, these diseases are transmitted through their droppings.

So, with pigeons around, you will need to worry about cleaning the place and yourself.

Why Were Pigeons Abandoned After They Were First Domesticated? Was It Because They Were Dirty?

An old saying states that humans first domesticated pigeons and then abandoned them. That is why you don’t see many people having these birds as pets. But what was the reason behind abandoning pigeons? Is it because they are dirty?

There are many possible reasons. First, the birds might have gone feral, which might have happened right after being domesticated. Most of the birds might have got out and caused a ruckus.

Secondly, in the 1960s, pigeons were blamed for starting various illnesses in New York. To be particular, these birds were the first in headlines for the meningitis outbreak. So, that might have made people free up the pet pigeons and abandon them.

Are Pigeons Dangerous?

New York City health officials have confirmed two deaths linked to diseases carried by these birds.

Besides that, neither the Center for Disease Control and Prevention nor the New York Department of Health could confirm any other cases of people getting sick from regular interactions with the birds.

Considering that, you can say that pigeons are not actually dangerous. However, you should maintain hygiene practices after interacting with them. Also, do not let pigeon droppings be around your living place for too long. Clean them immediately.

What Is the Typical Diet of a Pigeon? Is There Any Particular Food That Makes Them Deficate Too Much?

So, one of the reasons why pigeons defecate too much is because they eat too much. And that might make you wonder what the typical diet of a pigeon is. Well, these birds are known for eating a lot of things. For example:

1. Seeds

Pigeons like to munch on various seeds in both natural and urban settings. However, these birds do like particular types of seeds more than others. And those are:

Sunflower seeds: Most birds love to eat sunflower seeds. And the case is the same for pigeons. These seeds are also full of protein and fat, making them an ideal food source for pigeons.

Millet: Like sunflower seeds, millet is full of nutrients. And the most crucial part is that these seeds are easy to digest. For that reason, pigeons tend to love millet.

Canola Seeds: Canola is an excellent source of oil and protein. That’s why you will find these seeds in most bird feeders.

Wheat: Not all pigeons love to eat wheat. But it is full of nutrients and can offer the birds the energy they need to stay active throughout the day.

2. Vegetables

Like seeds, pigeons love to eat different varieties of leafy greens. But in general, they prefer these over the other vegetables:

Lettuce: Unlike some other vegetables, pigeons can digest lettuce reasonably easily. That is why they will often peck on these leaves when you offer them a mixture of different veggies.

Spinach: Pigeons love munching on spinach. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.

Peas: You will not find a pigeon that does not love to eat peas. And the best part is that peas are good for them. That is, it is a good source of protein.

Carrots: A good source of minerals and vitamins. And interestingly, you don’t need to feed these birds freshly grated carrots. They will equally love the frozen version.

3. Fruits

Birds in natural settings mostly rely on fruits. So, it is not a matter of surprise that pigeons are no different. But which fruits are the favorites? Take a look:

Apples: Fresh or frozen, pigeons will not hesitate to eat an Apple when you give it to them. It is also a great source of vitamins and minerals for them.

Melons: Pigeons love to eat all types of melons. That includes cantaloupe and watermelon.

Grapes: Thanks to being juicy and sweet, pigeons often like to have grapes. And these birds will not even hate it if you offer them frozen grapes.

Berries: You can feed different types of berries to the pigeons. That includes blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Berries are also filled with vitamins and antioxidants.

Nonetheless, there’s no particular type of food that makes them poop too much. Instead, it is the nature of the diet. That is, as they stick to a rich diet, pigeons tend to defecate frequently throughout the day.

Final Words

So, why are pigeons gross again? Well, the main reason is their tendency to defecate frequently. Alongside that, their droppings are known for transmitting different diseases. For that reason, people consider pigeons to be dirty and gross.

And that’s basically all that is to it about the topic. Did you love this article? Chances are you will love our future articles too. So, consider connecting with us through Pinterest, and Twitter.

Article References:

Vox.com/2015/5/6/8556859/pigeons-skinner-orcon-underrated
Salon.com/2021/10/26/humans-domesticated-pigeons-then-abandoned-them-is-it-time-for-a-reappraisal/.
Slate.com/technology/2012/04/animal-obesity-are-pigeons-getting-fatter.html

Image Credit: Canva.com/photos