Feral pigeons, often known as city or street pigeons, are domesticated pigeons that have reverted to living in the wild or in urban environments. These birds are descendants of the rock pigeon (Columba livia), which was originally native to Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. Here are some key characteristics of feral pigeons:
1. Physical Appearance:
- Size: Adult feral pigeons typically range from 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) in length and weigh around 240 to 380 grams (8.5 to 13.5 ounces).
- Coloration: Their plumage can vary greatly, though common colour patterns include a mix of Gray, white, and black. Some have iridescent feathers on their necks, which can appear green or purple depending on the light. Others may have brown, black, or mottled plumage.
- Beak: They have a short, slightly curved beak with a fleshy cere (the area above the beak).
- Feet: Their legs are short with reddish or pinkish feet and three forward-facing toes.
- Eyes: Large and bright orange or red in colour, which is typical of many pigeons.
Solar panel With anti Pigeon Mesh
2. Behaviour:
- Social: Feral pigeons are highly social birds and often form large flocks. They are commonly found in cities, often congregating in public spaces like parks, squares, and building ledges.
- Feeding Habits: These pigeons are opportunistic feeders, foraging for seeds, grains, scraps of food, and anything else they can find in urban environments.
- Noise: They make a soft “cooing” sound, often heard as they communicate with each other.
- Flight: Feral pigeons are strong fliers. They have rapid, direct flight patterns and can navigate through urban spaces with ease.
3. Habitat:
- Feral pigeons are highly adaptable and are primarily found in cities, towns, and other urban environments. They often make their homes in high places like building ledges, bridges, and towers.
- They are also found in rural areas, particularly in places with man-made structures such as barns or silos that resemble their natural cliffside habitats.
4. Reproduction:
- Feral pigeons can breed year-round, although their peak breeding season is usually during warmer months.
- They build simple nests using twigs, leaves, and other available materials, often in the nooks and crannies of buildings or other structures.
- Typically, they lay two eggs at a time, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about 18 days. Once hatched, the chicks are fed “pigeon milk” (a secretion produced by both parents) until they are old enough to eat solid food.
5. Diet:
- They are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods, including grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. In urban areas, they often scavenge for scraps of food discarded by humans.
- They may also consume some invertebrates like insects and small molluscs.
Roof Spikes to stop Roosting Pigeons
6. Lifespan:
- Lifespan: In the wild, feral pigeons have a shorter lifespan, usually around 3 to 5 years, due to predators, disease, and environmental factors. However, in captivity, they can live up to 15 years or more.
7. Adaptability and Intelligence:
- Feral pigeons are very adaptable and can thrive in urban environments where food and shelter are abundant.
- They have demonstrated problem-solving abilities and can navigate complex environments, often recognizing landmarks and understanding patterns in human behaviour.
8. Interaction with Humans:
- Feral pigeons are commonly seen in cities and are often tolerant of human presence, especially in areas where people feed them.
- They are sometimes viewed as pests due to their droppings, which can damage buildings and infrastructure, and their potential to carry diseases.
Overall, feral pigeons are resilient, highly adaptable birds that have successfully integrated into human-dominated landscapes
Anti Pigeon Spikes on a Dormer roof
9. Diseases passed on to Humans
Histoplasmosis
- Cause: Fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.
- Transmission: Inhalation of spores from pigeon droppings or contaminated dust.
- Symptoms: Fever, cough, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
- Risk: Mainly for people who work in environments with a lot of bird droppings or those with weakened immune systems.
Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)
- Cause: Bacterium Chlamydia psittaci.
- Transmission: Inhalation of dust contaminated with bird droppings or secretions.
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and sometimes pneumonia-like symptoms.
- Risk: More commonly associated with pet birds but can also be spread by pigeons.
Salmonellosis
- Cause: Bacterium Salmonella.
- Transmission: Ingestion of food or water contaminated with pigeon droppings.
- Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
- Risk: Poor hygiene and handling of contaminated areas or food.
Cryptococcosis
- Cause: Fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Transmission: Inhalation of airborne fungal spores from pigeon droppings.
- Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, fever, headache, and in severe cases, neurological problems.
- Risk: People with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS.
Avian Tuberculosis
- Cause: Bacterium Mycobacterium avium.
- Transmission: Inhalation of airborne bacteria from infected pigeons or contact with contaminated droppings.
- Symptoms: Chronic cough, weight loss, fever, and fatigue.
- Risk: More common in people with compromised immune systems.
Anti Pigeon Solar Panel mesh from the Top
Toxoplasmosis
- Cause: Protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
- Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated food or water, though pigeons are not the primary host (cats are).
- Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, headache, and in severe cases, it can affect the eyes or brain.
- Risk: Primarily for immunocompromised individuals or pregnant women.
Campylobacteriosis
- Cause: Bacterium Campylobacter.
- Transmission: Contact with bird droppings or ingestion of contaminated food.
- Symptoms: Diarrhoea (often bloody), stomach cramps, and fever.
- Risk: Poor hygiene or exposure to large amounts of droppings.
Allergic Reactions
- Cause: Dust, feathers, and droppings can cause allergic reactions.
- Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, asthma-like symptoms.
- Risk: Particularly for people with respiratory sensitivities or asthma.
Prevention:
To reduce the risk of contracting these diseases, it is important to avoid direct contact with pigeons and their droppings. Wearing protective gear like masks, gloves, and goggles while cleaning areas with pigeon droppings or nesting sites is essential. Additionally, practicing good hygiene (washing hands thoroughly) and controlling pigeon populations in urban areas can help mitigate these risks.
If you are in close contact with pigeons or their environments and experience symptoms of any of the diseases mentioned, it’s best to seek medical advice promptly.