Why Is A Pigeon Following Me?
If you have strolled in the park while followed by a pigeon, you are not the only one. In fact, the following can be so intense that it could seem like the bird is noticing your every move.
That can make you wonder, why is a pigeon following me? Pigeons can follow you for multiple reasons. These birds have curious minds and could simply follow you because they think you are interesting. Also, as pigeons can recognize faces, they can follow you around if you have previously given them food.
But are there any other reasons why pigeons could follow you? Also, what about staring? You will find all the answers below.
Want to know more about pigeon habits:
Why Are Pigeons Staring at Me?
As mentioned earlier, pigeons are very curious birds. They take an interest in pretty much anything and everything. So, when you find pigeons staring at you, they might have simply found you interesting.
Other than that, pigeons look at you to assess whether you are a threat to them. In such cases, there could be nests nearby. And in case you didn’t know, pigeons are very territorial.
No matter what the case is, you should not be afraid of pigeons staring at you. They will simply fly away even if they think you are a threat. That is, they will not try to harm you.
Learn about pigeon lifestyle in “Pigeon Habits” . We cover their eating, nesting, and interactions with humans.
Are Pigeons Attracted to Humans?
Humans and pigeons can have a very strong bond. In fact, you might even find some domestic pigeons cuddling their caretakers. Nonetheless, pigeons in urban areas have learned to be associated with humans for food and shelter.
That makes the wild pigeons of the city areas to be interested in the activities of humans. In fact, urban birds know that humans are an easy source of food. For that reason, they try to be around humans as much as possible.
Other than that, pigeons are known for their keenness to imprint on individual humans. And let’s not forget the fact that they can remember faces. So, if you have fed these birds food before, there is a high chance that they will recognize you.
What Are the Possible Reasons a Pigeon Is Following Me?
Let’s get back to the topic at hand. So, as mentioned earlier, there can be various reasons behind pigeons following humans. Some of them are discussed below:
They Are Curious
Pigeons could simply be following you around because they are curious. You could be doing something that could have got their attention. And they want to see what you will do next.
They Are Expecting Food from You
You may not know it, but pigeons are always looking for food. Whether it is day or night, they are always hungry. So, if a pigeon is following you, the bird might be thinking that you will offer food.
They Are Imprinting You
Pigeons are likely to imprint individuals. In fact, if you take care of them, these birds might even see you as a parent. So, if you have previously fed the bird some food, it can follow you around, thinking that you are the sole caretaker of the bird.
For Protection
The bird might have seen predators around. And by following you, the pigeon might be simply seeking protection. In this case, you should not drive the bird away. After all, a bird following you will bring you no harm.
Are There Things I Can Do to Discourage a Pigeon from Following Me?
As mentioned previously, pigeons following you will bring you no harm. However, if you still feel the need to discourage them, do the following:
Do Not Feed Them
Pigeons are likely to follow individuals that provide them with food. So, if you do not want to be followed by the birds, avoiding feeding them would be a good idea. That will not get their hopes up for getting more food.
Change Your Pace
If a pigeon is following you while you are walking, you should increase your pace. There is a chance that the bird will fail to keep up and will eventually stop following you.
Select a Different Route
Do you take the same route every day? Are there pigeons on that route? If so, you can take a different route for some days. This will eventually break the habit of the birds and make them stop following you.
Should You Harm the Pigeon to Drive It Away?
No matter how intense the following is, you should not try to harm the pigeon. Instead, do any of the tricks mentioned above. If one does not work, the others will.
Also, if you must feed the pigeons, do not drop food when they are around.
Final Words
Are you still asking yourself, why is a pigeon following me? As discussed, these birds are very curious. They could follow you around simply because they found you interesting. If not, they just want some food.
Hopefully, you got the answer that you were looking for. And if you found this post helpful, please consider supporting us. You will find us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
