Why Do People Feed Pigeons?
Like any other bird, pigeons can forage their own food. They are opportunistic feeders and eat whenever food is accessible to them.
So, why do people feed pigeons if they can find their own food? There are a variety of reasons why people feed pigeons. Some enjoy watching the birds, while others feel empathy for their minds and want to ensure they have enough to eat. Also, there is a touch of religious and astrology factors.
You might wonder what religions and astrology factors are connected to feeding pigeons.
Do they bring good luck? Well, if you want to learn all things about feeding pigeons, you would like to continue reading.
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Why Do You Feed Pigeons?
Pigeons are pretty much everywhere in urban areas. Whether sitting in a park or on the bench of a bus top, you will find these birds around.
And when you are taking a little time off or waiting for a transportation system, it’s relaxing to feed these birds with food. However, there are other reasons too.
01. To Connect With Nature
some people view feeding pigeons as a way of connecting with nature.
They appreciate the beauty that is within these common birds. And in return, watching these birds eat gives a sense of connection with nature.
02. For Religious Purpose
Many religious groups feed pigeons for pious reasons. For example, older Shikhs feed these birds ceremoniously to honor Guru Gobind Singh, the high priest, and a warrior.
03. To Gain Inner Peace
According to astrologists, feeding birds, such as pigeons, is a way of gaining inner peace. They believe that people can unlock the door of happiness through this act of kindness towards animals.
However, you should consider that astrology is a belief system. It is based on the position and movement of the celestial bodies that can influence human affairs and natural phenomena.
And most importantly, astrology is not considered a scientific field.
No evidence suggests that the position of the celestial bodies can influence what is good and what is wrong.
Yes, feeding pigeons will make you feel good. But you are not guaranteed to find happiness or inner peace.
Why Do New Yorkers Feed Pigeons?
In New York, you will find pigeons on every street. And if you observe one, you will notice that the bird is always looking for food.
This makes the New Yorkers feel empathy for the birds. And they tend to provide them with some food while commuting.
Another thing that New Yorkers consider is that there is not much food around the streets. In wild settings, pigeons peck on grains and different types of vegetation.
But, in urban environments, the natural food sources of pigeons are pretty scarce.
That facet makes New York commuters feel a sense of responsibility. As the birds are ubiquitous in the area, New Yorkers feel it is their duty to ensure that the birds have enough food to stay healthy.
Does Feeding Pigeons Bring Good Luck?
Many believe feeding green lentils and millet to pigeons is a way of obtaining happiness. And most think feeding animals and birds is a noble deed.
They believe that this will bring them good luck.
Basically, feeding pigeons is an act of kindness towards animals. That’s why the act of feeding these birds is often associated with the idea of bringing good luck to one’s life.
However, no scientific evidence supports the claim of gaining good luck by feeding pigeons.
For that reason, many find this belief to be superstitious. And most do not feed the pigeons with the intention of getting good luck.
What Are the Benefits of Feeding Pigeons?
With spiritual and religious beliefs out of the way, feeding the pigeons does have some benefits. And they are –
1. Providing Food to the Animals and Allowing Them to Thrive
For animals, urban settings are very challenging. Unlike natural areas, they need to constantly adapt to their ever-so-changing environment.
And when you provide food to the pigeons, you can make it easier for them to thrive in such harsh environments.
2. A Way of Relaxing and Having a Good Time
Feeding wild birds and pigeons is a good way of having a good time. It can let you escape the fast-paced life and relax for a while.
And this can help you lower stress levels, mitigate anxiety, and reduce depression.
3. Easy Way to Connect With Nature
Our urban life is pretty secluded from nature. We only have these animals around us. And when you feed these birds, you can get a sense of connecting with nature.
4. Observation and Enjoyment
Feeding pigeons can be enjoyable. It is fun to see these birds peck on the food. You can easily spend hours doing this. And as pigeons are always hungry, they will never reject food either.
Why Do You Feed the Pigeons Every Morning?
Like any other bird, pigeons start their day searching for food. And if they do not get enough in the morning, they will not have the energy level required to stay active during the day.
So, when you feed the pigeons in the morning, you prepare them to stay strong throughout the day.
And even if they don’t find enough food through the rest of the day, the morning feed will let them easily go through the day ahead.
What Is the Best Time to Feed Pigeons?
For pet pigeons, it is good to feed them both in the morning and evening. The morning food will fuel them up and let them stay active. And the evening feed will let them get through the night.
However, for urban pigeons, you can feed them at any time you like. They are never “Not Hungry” to reject food.
So, whether it is morning, afternoon, evening, or night, you can feed the pigeons on the street with food without thinking too much.
What Is the Best Thing to Feed Pigeons?
Pigeons are opportunistic feeders. They really do not have much preference when it comes to food. However, like any other bird, they have a thing for birdseed and cracked corn.
When it comes to seeds, pigeons have a fondness for sunflower, canary, and sunflower seeds. Sometimes, they will even prefer to have wheat, oats, and cracked corn instead of other food.
Besides, you can offer them apples, grapes, and berries. In fact, you can even feed these birds leafy greens, such as broccoli, from your lunch.
Will Pigeons Go Away If You Stop Feeding Them?
Pigeons will not necessarily go away when you stop feeding them. These birds are very common in urban areas. And they are well-adapted to survive challenging conditions.
Even if you decide to stop feeding them food, they will find food from various sources. They hardly die out of starvation.
However, the population of pigeons can decrease over time when you stop feeding them. Instead of lurking in the streets, they will look elsewhere for food. And once they get accustomed to getting food from somewhere else, they will stick to that area.
Wrapping Up
There is no specific answer to why people feed pigeons. Some people do it for astrological and religious beliefs.
At the same time, others feed these birds to get a little connection with nature or out of empathy. However, once you start feeding the pigeons regularly, these birds can be overpopulated in your area.
And overfeeding them can also lead to health issues for these feathered animals. So, it’s crucial to feed them in moderation.
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Article References:
- Dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-how-feeding-pigeons-in-cities-is-killing-the-ecosystem-2187642
- Hindustantimes.com/columns/why-feed-pigeons-dogs-or-monkeys-in-public-places/story-XGbCyMBVsgZL4DECVSfuJN.html
- Safeguardpestcontrol.co.uk/what-do-pigeons-eat/
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
