Is it safe to feed birds?

If you go to most parts around the country, you are likely to find large numbers of birds around. They come there because this is usually a location where it is easy to find sources of food. Not only are there seeds that drop from trees, but people generally drop food or throwaway items that the pigeons will gladly eat as a meal. These birds are true omnivores, meaning that they will eat just about anything, so hotdog buns, popcorn, and other items that people drop could make for a perfect meal for this bird. Another thing that you will frequently see at the park is people feeding pigeons. They will bring bread or other items with them to give to the birds, and will usually find a large gathering around them as the pigeons are more than welcome to take what is offered.



This may seem like quite a humane thing to do, that you should really ask yourself if you should be feeding birds or not? While it may seem like a sensible thing to do with the park, feeding pigeons around your home or business can have consequences you may not have thought of. Think of it in the same way as if you were feeding a stray cat. If you start to feed a stray cat you can be sure that it is going to come back to your home, and the same can be said about pigeons.

Once you begin to start feeding pigeons around your home or business, you can be sure that they are going to return. What makes the situation even worse is that they are likely to not return by themselves. Because pigeons usually live in large colonies if one has found a source of food than the others are sure to follow. In no time your generosity to look out after one bird may become a dinner party for dozens. They will come in droves because they will believe that they are going to get food, and they are not likely to stop coming.

The sheer numbers present a serious issue for you. Because pigeons carry a large number of diseases and parasites, they can pose a serious health risk for you, your family, your employees, or your pets. Their waste will often contain these diseases, which can become airborne as they dry. This poses a serious respiratory problem, as all it takes is for you to breathe in this bacteria or parasites and you can quickly find yourself becoming ill. It is human nature to want to look out after wild animals, but you have to be smart and sensible about this. Feeding these birds can put you at serious risk, and this is why it is important that you don't take a risk like this. Feeding the birds at the park is one thing, but doing so around your business or home is an entirely different story. If you really feel compelled to feed pigeons, and do it at the park.

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