[assemblyman]

As an aside, pigeons are deeply misunderstood. Here's a very nice article about it: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240620-why-do-people-pe...

From the article: "One study found that, between 1941 and 2004, there were just 207 reports of pathogens transmitted from pigeons to humans – anywhere in the world. In all, there were 13 recorded deaths. The true number may be higher, but it would have to be off by several orders of magnitude to compete with the scale of infections from other domesticated animals – particularly some of those with more favourable reputations."

I occasionally (2x per week per location) feed a group of pigeons both in my apartment building's garage as well as my grocery store's open parking lot. They love sunflower seed kernels (unsalted since salt can be really bad for them) which has led to me hoarding sunflower seeds every time I go food shopping. They now recognize my car and swoop in as soon as I drive up to a parking spot (which is not consistent at the grocery store). Hopefully, one day I'll convince myself to stop/slow working and dedicate my free time to studying animal communication and behavior with some ML involved.

[RealityVoid]

Noble outlook, probably nicer animals than we give them credit, but it's a bit harder to be charitable when they are shitting all over your balcony.

[righthand]

Feeding pigeons is a bad thing. For one the pigeons are not starving and you are over feeding them. The other issue is that you are training them to depend up humans for food. You are also aiding in creating unnaturally large pigeon populations since they are overfed.

Many places it is illegal to feed the birds. Media has created this stupid meme where people think it’s a hobby to over feed birds in cities.

[assemblyman]

I don't think feeding pigeons is objectively a bad thing. While I live in a highly urban area and don't doubt they get food, a couple of additional sessions of seeds per week is not going to make them dependent or obese. I generally confirm I am doing something reasonably appropriate by asking my local bird sanctuary.

I don't follow social media at all so not sure if there's a trend going on about feeding birds. A few times someone has shown me clearly fake (i.e. spliced together) videos of animals being "rescued" and living with families. They do make me angry because they are clearly made for views.

[zrn900]

> As an aside, pigeons are deeply misunderstood

Yep. To contract anything, you have to eat or lick the pigeon, eat or lick its droppings, and the pigeon needs to have salmonella etc, right at that moment.

[mzhaase]

Please don't feed them. They destroy balcony plants and shit everywhere.