Can Pigeons Make You Sick?

We all know that pigeons are a pest animal that can leave an awful mess behind (droppings), but what many of us aren't aware of is the exact level of danger that is present when this flying pest is also present. Some of the diseases that you can catch from these seemingly innocent looking birds are not ones that you will have heard of before, but we're starting to see an increase in diagnosed cases, particularly in the United States of America. When you bear in mind that the pigeon was only brought into the USA at some point during the 1600's, and that most of the pigeons you see today are feral pigeons derived from tame/domesticated pigeons, you must admit that they've done a great job in conquering the planet. They are now one of the most common pests and birds in most places across the globe, and they have a little penchant for urban areas with lots of people, because lots of people usually means lots of mess and food.

If you didn't already know, pigeons bring with them an inherent risk of salmonella poisoning — the common tummy bug. The bacteria that causes this upset stomach that usually lasts for a couple of days at most (in the majority of cases) is found in the droppings of pigeons (and also within pigeon meat).

That might not sound so bad, but E.coli certainly is. This is a more intense version of the simple tummy bug, and in around ten percent of cases, can cause life-threatening complications. HUS or hemolytic uremic syndrome is one of them, and can start to appear once the upset stomach itself has gone away. This can seriously affect the kidneys, requiring very serious medical treatment to put right, and some patients die as a direct result of kidney complications and failure.

Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for treating more serious cases, but this can be difficult when you aren't even aware that you've come in contact with the bacteria — or pigeons — at all.

This is how simple transmission could be:

A pigeon roosts or lands on your roof, defecating as it does so. That defecation material then ends up in the guttering, and is washed through the pipes when the next lot of heavy rain comes. That rainwater is washed into a large barrel that you then use to water your garden without using your garden hose. You water your flowers and a vegetable patch, happy in the knowledge that your plants are growing fit and healthy. Without even thinking about you, one of the kids, or maybe even one of your pets eats something that those plants bear — berries, beans, seeds, etc. The contamination happened in the water. The pigeon defecation spread the bacteria into the water source.

*This is why it is very important that you wash any food that you plan on eating, particularly fruit and vegetables ... just in case.

Contamination can happen in a number of ways, but soil and water as well we direct contact are the most common. What you need to remember about pigeon defecation is that it hardens and dries, and this can make the outer parts of the droppings dusty. Any disease particles found on those droppings are sent into the air when the droppings are swept up, kicked up, or moved with a slight breeze, and that sends those disease spores airborne. This isn't a successful method of disease transmission for all pigeon-borne diseases, but has been shown to cause the spread of Histoplasmosis and others.

Pigeons can make you sick. Salmonella and E.coli are just the tip of the iceberg. This is not a job that you should attempt to do on your own if you are inexperienced, and certainly not if you don't have the right protective gear. The cost of professional pigeon removal and cleanup might be higher than you're willing to pay, but the alternative could mean paying with your life.



Also read our other bird tip: How to keep pigeons out of a barn