Pigeon: Pet or Pest?
Every morning people can be seen feeding pigeons around temples, Darbar square, and parks as compassion to other living being. Many people feed pigeons for a religious belief of brining good fortune in their life. But many have no clue of these pigeons getting over populated and are infected with various diseases which are known harmful to human. Their droppings can also damage historic artifacts.
In the pictures: Hungry feral pigeons looking for grains at Kathmandu Darbar square.
Original Post at Everest Uncensored
never thought of them in this way. well indeed they look more of a pest in this picture. it is nice to know that photographer like you have been taking shots with atypical standpoint.
They look like no more of a pest than a mob of humans at a sports event.
Many people will not check information you published. Fact is that there is no registered case of humans getting disease from pigeons. Fact is that most of the diseases carried by pigeons are specific for the birds and therefore of no danger to humans. Fact is that pollution created by humans is much more destructive for historic artifacts than pigeon droppings. Fact is that companies who exterminate pigeons make good money of their death and they are major sources of disinformation. Fact is that birds on the picture look very healthy.
A picture can be designed to make a crowd appear to be a pest. I see no pests in this, just some trusting souls who through continuous ignorance and bad publicity are hounded and mistreated by many. Pets or pests? pets any day.
Many people say that pigeons are pests because they spread disease, but most of them will never tell you that no one has EVER reported getting a disease from a pigeon. EVERY species carries disease. Starving them wouldn’t make the situation any better, which is cleaner: A flock of healthy well fed pigeons or a bunch of dead and starving ones that can’t support their immune systems?
Neither pets nor pests, really! In many cases they are the nearest any of us get to see wildlife in the middle of an urban jungle. They are gentle, intelligent and friendly, and they are a very pretty sight. Their presence is a testimony to the wisdom of those who know how to love and share.
Let’s face it, if you took them out of the picture, a photo of cement would be dead boring…
Pigeons can be wonderful pets – unfortunately most people do not know thia. They also do not know that these birds are highly intelligent, brave and very loyal. They belong to the cleanest birds I know. Leave a parrot or any other bird outside a cage in your livingroom and you will see what happens.
Pigeons do not spread deseases on human beings – this belongs into the fairy tales department. According to scientific research they are even highly immune against bird flu. Other deseases they can suffer from are not contagious for humans, because they are constricted to birds and sometimes even to pigeons only. So calling them a pest is an argumentation from the pest control companies only who earn millions through this.
I wished people would get more involved and informed to change their attitude towards these wonderful birds. Hold a pigeon in your hand while feeding him, feel the soft feathers against your skin and feel the heart beat, look into his eyes and then tell me that you hate this bird. I would not believe you.