Picture the “Feed the Birds” song from Mary Poppins. There was a time when feeding the birds was an ordinary thing to do, and in cities like London people would even pay for the privilege. That has changed. The practice is now banned in plenty of places, Trafalgar Square among them, and in many other towns and cities it is actively discouraged. If that strikes you as a bit harsh, the reasons below explain why feeding pigeons does more harm than good.
Bird droppings
Pigeons produce a staggering amount of droppings, and the droppings are not just unsightly. They are highly acidic. A splat on your shoulder is one thing, but on a building or a car the acid slowly eats into the surface, and given enough time it can even damage metal. Feeding pigeons in built-up areas encourages them to stay, which means more droppings and more of this slow damage to the place you live or work.
Nesting
Pigeons prefer to nest under cover, sheltered from strong winds, which often means on roofs or tucked beneath solar panels. The nests cause real problems. They block gutters and drains, so rainwater can no longer run freely through the downpipes. Blocked gutters overflow, and that water can damage the roof. The added weight of the nesting material can also bend or collapse the gutters altogether.
Diseases
Pigeons are classed as pests for good reason: they spread disease. They carry a wide range of viruses and bacteria, and like other pests they bring mites with them. They can be aggressive too, particularly around food they have set their sights on. You might enjoy feeding them, but the young child with a sandwich did not sign up to share it, and the pigeon has no way of understanding that. This is how small children and vulnerable adults end up being mobbed for the food in their hands.
Those are the main reasons to leave the pigeons unfed in towns and cities. If you live or run a business somewhere with a pigeon problem, our bird control team can help. Get in touch and our pigeon control experts will advise you and clear the problem for good.