HomeWild pigeons
Feeding wild pigeons may seem like a good idea, but you could actually cause more harm than good. Leftover food, such as cakes, buns and bread, may not contain the essential vitamins that birds need and can instead make them ill.
Leaving food out for wild pigeons may also be against the law and you could be fined up to £2,500. It may also attract rats and mice, as well as other pests.
Wild pigeons also pose problems because:
- their droppings are acidic and can damage the stonework of buildings
- it's expensive to remove their droppings from buildings and streets
- they carry a number of diseases, some of which may be passed onto humans if their droppings get into food
- they carry mites which can cause skin diseases
- dust from their feathers can cause respiratory problems
- they can spread disease to other birds, reducing their numbers
- droppings and food scraps can make walkways slippery and dangerous.
- put leftover food in a closed bin
- place litter in public bins
- never leave food scraps out for wild pigeons.
