Feral pigeons, also called city dives, city pigeons or street pigeons are derived from domestic pigeons that have returned from the wild. The domestic pigeon was originally bred from the wild Rock Pigeon, which naturally inhabits sea-cliffs and mountains. All three types readily interbreed. Feral pigeons find the ledges of building a perfect substitute for sea-cliffs and have become adapted to life and abundant in towns and cities all over the world.
Feral pigeons are often considered a pest of even vermin, owing to concerns that they spread disease and are much maligned in the media for transmitting bird flu but it has been shown pigeons do not carry the deadly H5N1 strain.
Pigeons breed when the food supply is good – for wild rock pigeons this might be seasonally so they usually breed once a year. In the urban environment, because of their year-round supply, feral pigeons will breed continuously, laying eggs up to six times a year.
Feral pigeons can be seen eating grass seeds and berries in urban parks and gardens in the spring but there are plentiful sources throughout the year from scavenging (e.g dropped fast-food cartons). Further food is also usually available from the disposing of stale bread in parks by restaurants and supermarkets, from tourists buying and distributing birdseed, etc. Pigeons tend to congregate in large, often thick flocks when going for discarded food, any many have been observed flying skilfully around trees, buildings, telephone poles and cables and even moving traffic just to reach it.
In the last few decades, people have begun to poison feral pigeons when their numbers become too large. This has proven to be fairly ineffective, however as pigeons can breed very quickly (up to six times a year) and their numbers are determined by how much good is available, that is they breed more often when more food is provided to them. When pigeons are poisoned, surviving birds dont leave the area. On the contrary, they are left with more food per bird than before. This attracts pigeons from outside areas as well as encouraging more breeding and populations are re-established quickly.
Pigeon Disease
Pigeons often make nests in buildings and rapidly reproduce. Breeding occurs throughout the year, usually taking place between March and July. Contact with pigeon droppings may pose a health risk. Three human diseases are known to be associated with pigeon droppings: histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. To read the full article on Pigeon Disease click on the PDF article below.
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