They coo on train station roofs, peck at breadcrumbs in pedestrian zones, or sit quietly on street lamps: urban pigeons.
To many, they’re nothing but a nuisance – dirty, annoying, unnecessary.
Yet they stand for something deeper: a silent, overlooked form of suffering, right in the middle of our cities.
If you take a moment to truly see them, you’ll realize: pigeons aren’t pests. They are survivors of a world we created – and then abandoned.
Where do city pigeons come from?
Few people know that urban pigeons are not truly wild animals.
They are descendants of the rock dove, a species that once lived along cliffs and coasts, and was domesticated by humans thousands of years ago.
For centuries, pigeons were bred as:
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Messenger pigeons, used in war, sport, and communication
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Show pigeons, bred for appearance
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Meat pigeons, raised for consumption
But what happened to the ones who were no longer needed?
They were released, escaped, or simply left behind – and their descendants are the urban pigeons we see today.
They were shaped by us. And now, they live in human-made cities without the skills or resources to survive on their own. They are not truly wild, nor truly tame – and yet, we expect them to survive without help.
Are pigeons really a health risk? Let’s look at the facts.
The nickname “rats with wings” is cruel – and false.
Let’s debunk a few common myths:
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“Pigeons spread disease”
In reality, healthy humans face no significant health risk from pigeons. According to the Robert Koch Institute and other sources, most pathogens are species-specific or extremely rare in transmission to humans. -
“They’re dirty”
Pigeons don’t want to be dirty. But they lack access to clean water, often suffer injuries, and live in polluted urban environments. Their appearance is a symptom of our neglect, not of their nature. -
“They breed uncontrollably!”
Yes – but only because we leave them with no alternatives. Without proper care or food regulation, stress and scarcity trigger increased breeding – a desperate survival strategy.
Injuries we ignore every day
Foot deformities. Missing toes. Swollen joints. Matted feathers.
These are not anomalies – they are common.
Most of these injuries are caused by:
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Human waste – threads and hairs that wrap around their toes, cutting off circulation
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Broken glass, plastics, wire
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Malnutrition and parasites from poor diets and overcrowding
And yet, pigeons carry on. They fly. They coo. They persist.
There is something deeply moving about that quiet resilience – a life that keeps going, even when it’s constantly pushed aside.
What pigeons actually need
There’s a proven, humane solution to the “pigeon problem” – one that works with the animals, not against them:
Managed pigeon lofts with egg control
These are specially designed shelters where:
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Pigeons receive food, water, and safety
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Eggs are regularly replaced with dummy eggs to reduce the population over time
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The animals can live healthier, more stable lives
Cities like Basel, Augsburg, and Vienna have already adopted this method successfully. It’s:
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Humane
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Hygienic
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Cost-effective
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Sustainable
And most importantly: it works – if cities are willing to implement it.
Looking a pigeon in the eye changes everything
For this article, I created a pencil drawing of a pigeon.
Not in flight. Not as a peace symbol. Just a moment of stillness.
A real city pigeon.
With soft eyes. Ruffled feathers.
Not perfect – but real.
And that’s what they are: real beings, with needs, emotions, and dignity.
How you can help
Speak up.
Challenge unfair stereotypes. Share facts. Ask why people dislike them.
Support local pigeon rescue groups.
They do incredible work – often with little support.
Don’t feed randomly.
But look for safe feeding sites or donate to responsible initiatives.
Ask your city for managed pigeon lofts.
They work – for both pigeons and people.
Don’t look away.
An injured pigeon isn’t “gross” – it’s a sign of how we treat the voiceless.
Conclusion: Pigeons are not the problem – we are
Pigeons aren’t invading our cities. We put them there – through domestication, abandonment, and negligence.
They are the forgotten leftovers of a human-animal relationship we never finished.
It’s time to do better.
Not out of pity – but out of respect.
Want to share this article or raise awareness?
I’m happy to provide graphics, flyers, or printable info for outreach. Just get in touch. And thank you – for not looking away.