Across the world there are many species of pigeon. In UK cities, a common bird is the feral pigeon and in London there are thought to be around three million of them. That's about one for every three people. Some local authorities have brought in rules to stop people feeding them, partly because of the damage they cause. The former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, once said that pigeon droppings had caused £140,000 worth of damage in Trafalgar Square. However, others see pigeons differently. Humans have bred pigeons for thousands of years – using them for their eggs, meat and sending messages – and some people say the birds are very intelligent and friendly. What do you think? Should there be a ban on feeding pigeons?
Yes – pigeons pose a risk to health Pigeons are a nuisance. In large numbers, they can spread disease and the dust caused by their droppings can make health conditions such as asthma worse. In fact, they have been called "rats with wings". The birds' droppings contain acids that damage buildings and the paintwork on cars – and cleaning up after pigeons can cost local authorities a lot of money. Pigeons often "beg" for food, and they poo on benches. When people feed them, it just attracts the birds in larger numbers, which leads to overcrowding. This is not good for the animals or the city. Leaving food out for birds also attracts other pests, such as rats. There's enough food lying around for the birds, they don't need extra feeding.
No – we should be kinder to the birds Pigeons are intelligent and deserve to be treated with respect. During the Second World War (1939-1945), roughly 250,000 pigeons specially bred for speed and navigation skills were used by the armed forces to deliver messages. Of these birds, 32 were awarded the Dickin Medal (a bravery award for animals). Regardless of their contributions, pigeons are just like any other creature and deserve care and protection. Besides, many people enjoy living alongside them in towns and cities. In Darlington, England, where a ban on feeding pigeons was introduced earlier this year, one person told BBC News that pigeons brought "a sense of life to the town centre" and the place felt "lifeless and cold" without them.
