Why Pigeons Eat Soil?
Pigeons may be picky eaters, but they do not always show domesticated behavior while eating. Since the nature of pigeons is to find their food source through searching and foraging, they have become used to unearthing their food, be it worms in clay or seeds or nuts on the ground.
This is why pigeons eat soil, because not only is soil the source of their favourite salty and sodium rich treats, but it is also the soil rich and sandy areas where they forage for most of their food sources.
In this article, I will explain the reasons behind pigeons eating soil, why it is at times healthy, why it is not, and how to prevent them from eating soil.
Related blog about pigeon foods:
What Are the Benefits of Pigeons Eating Soil?
There are many benefits of pigeons eating soil. One of the most notable reasons is that soil contains salts and minerals, and thus it is a great source of necessary salts that allow nutrients to be properly digested.
The salt in the soil provides catabolic assistance to break down the nutrients so that they can be easily absorbed by the pigeons.
Moreover, some soil is high in sodium, and just like humans, pigeons also have a sodium craving at times. The sodium-infested soils are not only a great source of salt but also other nutrients and vitamins as well.
Pigeons have relatively weak intestines and require as much help as they can get to the food properly. The soil also helps bind with unnecessary toxic substances and falls out as feces, protecting the pigeon from toxins.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon foods and Diet“; if interested, you can check this article here.
What Types of Soil Do Pigeons Prefer to Eat?
Usually, pigeons will eat soil with their food or when they are foraging. Hence, in most instances, pigeons will eat soil close to their food source. The soil can also turn to clay.
However, in certain cases, pigeons will fly to their favorite soil spot to eat soil, especially if the soil contains a lot of sodium and other tasty ingredients for the pigeons.
How Do Soil Help Pigeons Stay Healthy?
Various types of soil usually consist of nutrients that are vital for the growth of pigeons. There are many minerals and vitamins in soil that help keep the cell linings of the pigeon healthy and the production of antibodies and cell tissues to be optimal.
Soil is also an excellent reactor to toxic substances found in nuts, fruits, seeds, or any other food source of the pigeon. The soil reacts with the toxic coatings of such food intakes of the pigeon and removes it from the body. This ensures that the pigeons can naturally detoxify themselves by using soil.
What Are Some of the Dangers of Pigeons Eating Soil?
Soils may be very rich in certain nutrients, but they are also crawling with worms, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, sometimes carried by vectors in the soil. At times, consuming soil in large amounts may cause unnecessary diseases in pigeons. For instance, many parasites and bacteria can cause diarrhea and fever in pigeons.
Moreover, the soil can also be infested with other organisms like E-Coli, which can also cause bad reactions in the digestive tracts of the pigeon. Hence, the consumption of soil may give the pigeons some necessary nutrients, but some unintentional substances may upset the well-being of the pigeons.
How Can I Keep My Pigeons From Eating Soil?
Since eating soil comes as a natural instinct for pigeons, it is difficult to keep your pigeons from eating soil. However, it is easy to minimize the amount of soil in the food given to your pigeon by ensuring you properly clean the nuts, seeds, and other types of food that are naturally collected.
Usually, washing or rinsing with water will remove most of the harmful bacteria and viruses from the food particles. Carefully examine the food that you are giving your pigeons to ensure that no unsolicited worm or insects have colonized your pigeon food.
You could also train your pigeon not to eat everything or from everywhere that they go. This may need a lot of time and patience, but pigeons are smart creatures who can easily learn traits that they become familiar with. Just like they can recognize the person who regularly feeds them and keeps them happy.
Do Other Animals Eat Soil?
Many other animals and birds actually eat soil! This is because some of the topsoil, or the surface of the soil, is filled with antitoxins and can help cleanse the blood of many animals. These animals include elephants, parrots, butterflies, buffaloes, monkeys, and deer, among many others.
This case is more prevalent in animals that travel long distances or birds that migrate from one place to another. This is because these mobile animals are always exposed to various substances that may prove to be toxic or poisonous.
The soil, therefore, naturally protects these animals against the harmful effect of the toxins found in various places. This is the adaptation that has been engineered through natural selection of not only pigeons, but also other species of birds.
Final Words
The eating habits and adaptative evolution of pigeons have made them accustomed to the ingestion of soil and soil particles when they are satisfying their dietary requirements. This is why pigeons eat soil, and it has proven to be important and helpful at keeping toxic substances at bay. Who knew that eating soil could be natural and also useful for pigeons?
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