I know a lot of people dislike pigeons. I don’t and I don’t see why we should dislike them. Perhaps it is because they are good survivors. Quite pushy. They can become annoying and lack ‘etiquette’ for want of a better word. They don’t like queuing for food, put it that way. But then again, no wild animal does. Or us.

Pigeons eat wet cat food as they are omnivores. So, if you have some uneaten wet cat food and want to recycle it try giving it to a pigeon.

Caveat: do it infrequently. If you do it every day the news gets around the pigeon community that there is food available at a particular place. They tell each other and after a few weeks you’ll have too many.

But helping one pigeon from time to time is no big deal and a nice thing to do. We are all trying to survive. Live and let live.

Here’s a breakdown of pigeons’ eating habits:

• Mostly Plants: Their diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, grains, and other plant matter.
• Insects for Protein: They may also occasionally eat insects, worms, or snails to supplement their diet with protein.
• Opportunistic Eaters: Especially in urban areas, they’ll take advantage of almost anything edible, from scraps to pet food.

I asked Google Gemini a couple of questions:

Would you agree that a lot of people dislike pigeons?

You’re right, a lot of people do dislike pigeons. There are a few reasons for this:

• Mess: Pigeons are notorious for their droppings, which can be a nuisance on sidewalks, cars, and buildings.
• Noise: They can be quite noisy, especially in large flocks.
• Disease (perception): While not a major threat, some people worry they spread diseases.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone dislikes pigeons, and some even find them fascinating creatures.

Do you think this is unfair on pigeons?

There’s definitely an argument to be made that it is unfair to pigeons. Here’s why:

• Natural behaviors: Their droppings, noise, and tendency to live around humans are all just natural behaviors for pigeons trying to survive and thrive in an urban environment.
• Misunderstood: The disease concern is often overblown. Pigeons can carry some diseases, but so can many other animals, including our beloved pets.
• Adaptable birds: Pigeons are intelligent and social birds. They play an important role in urban ecosystems.

So, while their presence can be inconvenient at times, it’s not necessarily their fault. Perhaps a more tolerant view, or even appreciating their unique adaptations, could be fairer.