You’re sitting on a bench in the square, and a pigeon walks right up to your feet. Maybe you even toss it a crumb. Cute, right? Except these birds can carry over 110 different pathogens dangerous to humans – on their wings, their feathers, their droppings. Their parasites can transfer to you, your pets, your home. Here’s what most people don’t know – and after reading this, you’ll think twice before touching one.
1. A Pigeon Is Not a Pet – It’s a Flying Rat
Urban pigeons feed on garbage, street scraps, and the contents of rubbish bins. In their polluted environment, they carry massive amounts of bacteria, fungi, and parasites. An average city pigeon’s body is a combined reservoir of bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, and parasites. They’re not called “flying rats” for nothing – the risk they pose is remarkably similar.