Feeding pigeons is harmful

The feeding of feral (wild) pigeons in Shrewsbury town centre is a health hazard. They are sometimes called the "flying rat".

They can cause serious damage and spoil the appearances of buildings. The smell and mess they leave can cause a nuisance.

There is one particular elderly gentlemen who regularly feeds the pigeons and if asked to refrain from doing this, he replies he does not do it when people are eating.

People who feed pigeons often end up feeding more than they bargained for. Food left by pigeons may attract rats and mice, which can spread disease to humans.

People who feed pigeons do not help to keep pigeons healthy. The food pigeons get from people may lack essential nutrients, which pigeons require for overall good health.

Also it means that instead of breeding once a year, pigeons now breed almost all year round because of the expanded food supply.

Usually, two white eggs are laid. Incubation lasts about 18 days with fledging taking place about four weeks later. A new clutch can be laid when the first young are 20 days old. Therefore up to nine broods may be produced per year by just one female pigeon.

Research has shown that this can place considerable pressure on breeding sites making many of them unhealthy, crowded places.

Pigeons can also carry a number of potentially infectious diseases such as salmonella, tuberculosis and ornithosis (a mild form of psittacosis with pneumonia-like symptoms).

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