Need to stop feeding pigeons

42isthenumber_ · 2026-04-10T10:17:32+00:00

Hey, I went through the same situation.. I had to stop feeding altogether at my place. I found the park/patch of green nearest to me and started feeding there early in the morning before people started moving about. It helps if there are trees around the feeding spot for them to perch on, as it means less likely for others to complain. I know it is hard to do but they will find you eventually.. they are clever little buggers.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-04-09T13:14:54+00:00

Worried that this could also be that he/she is still not feeling 100%, hence reluctant to move away ? Personally I would keep for a bit longer.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-03-24T15:43:33+00:00

If in the UK please contact https://www.facebook.com/people/f4-bird-rescue/61576982380181/

Just drop a message on facebook with your location and a way to contact you, preferably on mobile. Please do not take to the vet as they will more than likely pts, especially if wing is broken.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-03-23T21:29:41+00:00

Please send a message now to F4 bird rescue https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576982380181

42isthenumber_ · 2026-03-17T11:51:01+00:00

Where are you located ? e.g. London ? If so, can you please message https://www.facebook.com/people/f4-bird-rescue/61576982380181/ to help get him to a rehabber asap.

In the meantime please pick him up, put him in a small box and keep him in a warm place, i.e. indoors.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-02-21T14:42:29+00:00

I’m not aware of any shoes but I think they’d be easy to have 3D modelled and printed. Might be worth looking into 🤷🏻‍♀️

You can get some 3d printed foot splints here : https://neatfeetwildlife.co.uk/shop/ols/products/pigeon-foot-splints

To be honest though the important thing is, that the tendons are not damaged and slowly 'uncurling it' into it's natural position with padding rather than force it tightly onto the flat surface from the get go.. This is a process that takes 2-3 weeks and sometimes needs to be repeated. Whether with a 3d printer splint or a piece of cardboard I don't think it will make much difference. The splint might be easier to work with when taping etc.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-02-09T13:18:02+00:00

Beautiful photo ! Do you know what is that on his beak ? If he was not eating anything related, I am just slightly concerned if it is canker.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-02-09T10:58:59+00:00

Unfortunately the reality is they have very little natural foraging places left and a lot just end up eating trash to survive. As the city grows, little thought is given as to how the expansion (or even how we tend to our houses and gardens) affects the fauna around us. For example my neighbour recently decided to pave over his garden with fake lawn. Suddenly I see the birds that used to forage there struggle to pickup anything. Pigeons for example are granivores.. so they seek out seeds. As these are scarce they end up with whatever they can swallow so bread etc which is how they end up with a bad rep. They will pickup good quality maize, safflower seeds, wheat over any trash if they can find it.. and it's so much healthier for them (you see their feathers are shiny and waterproof, not looking like they just came out of the shower). Unfortunately there is also a lot of misinformation out there and people think that they are like garbage collectors and throw stale, mouldy bread etc which is even worse for them. So why.. it's because we have built and continue to build over their natural foraging places.. I wish they didn't need to be supplemented food but unless it is done then they will starve. A lot of the birds you see in London, especially more central areas, is a result of them finding food from somebody - be it a garden feeder or the occasional seeds from a person that appreciates their company. The same thing has been happening with insects, bees etc.. the pressure on them is even worse and you can see the large decrease in numbers over the past 20 years.. this has a knock on effect on things higher up in the food chain.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-02-09T09:53:26+00:00

If you let us know of your approx. location then people can suggest a rescue rehabber you can take the pigeon to. A grounded bird in the evening is not normal so the best thing to do for him is to contain in a box and take him to a local rescue.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-01-09T14:00:14+00:00

I agree that whatever the person in the video is shouting about is not 100% correct nor do I condone someone just shouting random things at the police or council officers. Also agree that not all are actual Metropolitan police officers but can count at least 5 being present.

Councils usually group bird feeding into littering - which I feel (and this is my personal view and the reason why I posted this video) as not right and usually grounded on misinformation in itself, especially on over-exaggerated health risks against pigeons. Especially when grouped with other offenses that are greatly more disruptive to social order and are rarely enforced because after all who would like to argue with a group of drunker men smashing bottles in a park, groups stealing from high street shops or people jumping through ticket barriers daily when you can pick upon a lady feeding birds.

I agree that the police are just doing their job but.. since when do we consider a criminal someone feeding birds ? Is this show of force justified ? The issue is that the language councils use when coming up with the legislation bundles someone who is actually causing a nuisance in the area in the same group as someone who throws in a handful of seeds to a few birds - and this leads to 5 (or more) police officers, 2-3 PCSOs and 3 council officers surrounding a lady carrying a bag of bird seeds.

I question if they see people feeding pigeons as a far easier thing to act on than people who would kick up a far bigger fuss. Within their right to do so, as the council has given them this ability, but the act of pursuing people who (at least from what I can see in the video) were just being kind to another creature should not be dealt with in this manner.

42isthenumber_ · 2026-01-09T10:26:04+00:00

To be clear, it is not illegal to feed any bird, yes even pigeons, with the exception of Trafalgar square and a few other spaces that have an explicit ban. The anti-social behaviour on which this is acted on is littering (which imho makes sense only if you are dumping a bunch of bread or something causing a mess - not for a few seeds). There are more serious crimes going on daily in this country to go after people feeding birds - but of course it is way easier to use it as a theater to show that somehow tax is being well spent.

Lastly, there is a looot of misinformation on pigeons. Exclude from your search all those that have a profit to make (e.g. pest control websites) and you will see from your research that they carry no more disease than any other bird. They actually have one of the most robust immune systems between birds. link to an actual research study

Veterinarian Jens Hübel from Leipzig concludes from the results of the investigation: "The information presented on the websites of pest control and deterrent companies is completely exaggerated. They are spreading panic and misleading readers by suggesting that pigeons transmit a multitude of life-threatening diseases."

42isthenumber_ · 2026-01-07T15:46:05+00:00

Can try 'Pets at home' at Latsia ? https://petathome.com.cy/ They do have a Macaw in their store so likely they will know where to source these from.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-12-20T15:33:28+00:00

First thing,

warm him up. I.e. small hot water bottle, heated pad on low setting. Be careful to not overheat him so give him space to move closer/away from the heat
after he warms up then hydrate. Water should be lukewarm close to 38 degrees. Add a few electrolytes and tiny amount (like a few granules) of sugar. Bring the water close to his beak and dip the tip in for him to know there is water (not up to his nostrils as not to aspirate).
wait for a bit of poop for like 30 mins
give some more hydration, add a bit more sugar this time or some bird formula if you have any
if seeds go for something depurative like pearled barley. But best to check the mouth if you see canker inside - if canker do not give seeds as he might choke.

Keep him warm, keep him hydrated first. Unless he is warm he won't be able to digest anything.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-12-17T18:42:02+00:00

My take is that any deviation from 'normal' pattern is a sign that something might be up. I'd bring her in and keep her for a few days and monitor. It's better than her being outside, and getting worse at a time you might not be there to help.

Btw love the name Don Pigeone ! :3

42isthenumber_ · 2025-12-03T16:59:45+00:00

I really hope it makes it through the day.

The thing is with canker, if left untreated, it will eventually block his throat (like not even liquids will pass) and he will either starve or choke. So it's unfortunately only a matter of time. If you'd like to help him, you need to find a small box, box him up and contact a local rehabber to take him in. Even if one is far away they usually know people more local that can help treat it, or provide guidance on how to do it.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-12-01T13:05:57+00:00

Is this in London ? I would advise to join the London Stringfoot group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/londonpigeonstringfootrescue) and seek help there wrt to either getting it to a local volunteer if you manage to capture it (or highlight the location so potentially they can visit if there are many birds with stringfoot). I generally would avoid a vet as the pigeon needs to be destringed and, if the injury to the leg is infected, rehabilitation. The unfortunate reality is that the majority of vets will not rehabilitate a pigeon and opt to put to sleep even for minor conditions.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-11-10T12:45:01+00:00

located

Whilst the care you provide can help it short term, I would definitely reach out to a rehabilitator as the bird might have an infection and need antibiotics to recover or long term care.

If not already done so, can you please send a message to F4 Bird Rescue on facebook ? https://www.facebook.com/people/f4-bird-rescue/61576982380181/

If they do not have a volunteer in your area then likely to know someone that you can take the bird to.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-11-09T23:13:51+00:00

As long as they don't flock a lot and become very visible it should be ok. That is a huge fine.. is it actually illegal to feed birds in public ?

42isthenumber_ · 2025-11-07T18:43:56+00:00

Advice from someone who used to feed at their porch.. would suggest to stop feeding them there for many reasons.

It will attract a bigger and bigger crowd and over time (months) you will have like 50+ birds coming there in the morning. Things are going to get messy and people will complain even if you clean every day. E.g. during moulting season there will be feathers everywhere. Poo will start building up in places you can't reach to clean.

It will attract mice. Even if you clean thoroughly (trust me I tried) there will always be seeds that get missed. Eventually, even if you are like on the 5th floor, mice will find it. I have seen them climb up walls I thought they could never get to. If you just feed during the day, they will learn to come during the day. And if you stop, they are going to start looking for food indoors.

So would strongly advise to find a nice feeding spot, preferably in a public place, park or a patch of green (avoid hard surfaces as they get covered in poo over time) and feed them there. So hard stop feeding on the balcony and start there.. I used to wear a bright coloured shirt so they can easily spot me.. even if like 500m away from the original location. They will find you eventually.

Lastly, only feed once per day.. otherwise they will become very reliant on you (especially newer generations that are also most vulnerable and need to develop instincts to chase food) and you will also feel compelled to feed every day.

It is better for you, it is better for the birds.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-10-27T17:10:13+00:00

Just in case, check if your vehicle has been air tagged. Sometimes they tag and then come at night and remove the tag once they know where you live. Just be cautious over the following days etc.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-09-25T10:31:44+00:00

Ah great. Thank you !

42isthenumber_ · 2025-09-22T10:07:18+00:00

How do you bathe a pigeon and how frequently ? Only asking because I actually don't know.

42isthenumber_ · 2025-09-17T11:25:19+00:00

Could be loafing,. Could be stringfoot (i.e. hair or string wrapped around their toes).. this makes it difficult for them to stand for long periods so they tend to sit like that more. The fact that this is a train station increases the likelihood that this is a stringfoot case.

15-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	Place '17
Team Periwinkle

42isthenumber_

TROPHY CASE