# Don't feed the fucking pigeons, dammit! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 23, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529 "2007-11-23T19:27:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/21 "2007-11-24T04:52:34Z")
[QUOTE=anyrose] Let’s include those damn ubiquitous geese that have taken over every office complex parking lot in the Northeast US. Those boids have been known to threaten humans (myself among them) [/QUOTE] I used to take the stories about how the ancient Romans had used geese as guard animals with a grain of salt. But after a few up close and personal experiences with the critters I have only one question: How the fuck did they train the geese to let desired people pass? They’re fucking hard core, and go after everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/22 "2007-11-24T05:38:09Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] Pigeons, to the extent that they serve any purpose at all, serve only the purpose of cleaning up the edible debris that inevitably accumulates in a city. The population of pigeons should be exactly the right size to keep their local city clean; when the food runs out, the population should diminish. By feeding pigeons extra food, you are supporting a pigeon population that is out of balance with the “natural”–i.e., inevitable, pre-existing–food supply. [/QUOTE] I understand the theory, I was just curious if any other city that had instituted a ban on pigeon feeding had achieved the desired result. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/23 "2007-11-24T06:10:43Z")
My middle school had a big seagull problem, since all the spoiled rich kids were so bad about leaving their uneaten food on the ground at lunchtime and we were about 5 miles from the ocean as the seagull flies. They didn’t actually attack us, though, they just carpet-bombed us with bird shit. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/24 "2007-11-24T06:16:51Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I understand the theory, I was just curious if any other city that had instituted a ban on pigeon feeding had achieved the desired result. [/QUOTE] It’s not a city-wide ban, just on a small area where they (presumably) are a particular nuisance. A similar approach was taken to deal with them in Trafalgar Square in London, and has been very successful. Edit: see **Szlater** ’s link. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/25 "2007-11-24T08:54:23Z")
Did I mention that as soon as I’ve washed the car you can guarantee that at least one fucking pigeon will take a dump…right on my car. Bastards ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/26 "2007-11-24T11:40:23Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Is there any evidence that stopping the public from feeding pigeons will result in fewer pigeons? Or is this a “common sense” thing, not subject to the scientific method? [/QUOTE] The experts seem to think so. [This article](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/magazine/15pigeons.htm?pagewanted=1&_r=1) is fairly long but discusses pigeon control in Los Angeles and how much pigeon feeders contribute to the problem. (The answer: “A lot”.) ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/27 "2007-11-24T12:28:24Z")
[QUOTE=anyrose] Pigeons? check. Seagulls? check. Let’s include those damn ubiquitous geese that have taken over every office complex parking lot in the Northeast US. Those boids have been known to threaten humans (myself among them) [/QUOTE] Hahaha! When I worked in Central Jersey near Seaside Heights a goose flew in our office door and shit on the rug. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/28 "2007-11-24T12:40:04Z")
There’s one of those crazy bitches near where I work. Not only does she feed the pigeons, she feeds the squirrels, too! I’ve had evil dreams of putting on a blonde wig and carrying a shopping bag full of strychnine to feed the blessed little creatures. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/29 "2007-11-24T12:42:17Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky] There’s one of those crazy bitches near where I work. Not only does she feed the pigeons, she feeds the squirrels, too! I’ve had evil dreams of putting on a blonde wig and carrying a shopping bag full of strychnine to feed the blessed little creatures. [/QUOTE] You’ve been listening to Tom Lehrer. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/30 "2007-11-24T12:57:55Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Did I mention that as soon as I’ve washed the car you can guarantee that at least one fucking pigeon will take a dump…right on my car. Bastards [/QUOTE] You know, there is a way to get your own back? Just find a decent butcher. I bought some two days ago, in fact. Delicious. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/31 "2007-11-24T15:20:59Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] You know, there is a way to get your own back? Just find a decent butcher. I bought some two days ago, in fact. Delicious. [/QUOTE] These are street peckers :eek: not your wood pigeons which is what your butcher flogs ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/32 "2007-11-24T15:34:57Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] These are street peckers :eek: not your wood pigeons which is what your butcher flogs [/QUOTE] True. But the more space in the countryside, the less will crowd into the cities. A bit like Prescott housing plans. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/33 "2007-11-24T15:50:14Z")
Aww. I like pigeons. I like the little cooing sound they make and the way they waggle their butts when they walk. And calling them ‘‘flying rats’’ doesn’t help, because I like rats too. 😃 Yes, I am a small town girl. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/34 "2007-11-24T16:52:25Z")
You know some people in the big impersonal city get to a point in their life where the feel lonely and feel the need to interact. Most likely the rest of the human population just doesn’t have the time of day for them. You can spend hours interacting with pigeons and that just has to be therapeutic for them so healthwise there’s a plus. Canada Geese on the other hand pollute our beaches with closely spaced turds resembling dogshit while the parents of little half naked and orally inquisitive toddlers have to tell them that they can’t play in the sand. Its high time to declare a season on these shit mongers. There is no positive health benefit with these guys unless we eat them. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/35 "2007-11-24T16:52:50Z")
[QUOTE=olivesmarch4th] Aww. I like pigeons. I like the little cooing sound they make and the way they waggle their butts when they walk. And calling them ‘‘flying rats’’ doesn’t help, because I like rats too. 😃 Yes, I am a small town girl. Why do you ask? [/QUOTE] You like both rats and pigeons? Well I guess there’s allus one ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/36 "2007-11-24T16:56:40Z")
[QUOTE=The Flying Dutchman] …big impersonal city… [/QUOTE] **Chowder** was only talking about Sale town centre, so not all those words apply 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/37 "2007-11-24T18:00:15Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] …there are dozens of pigeons fluttering around, crapping and spreading god knows what else all over the place [/QUOTE] **Dick Cheney for President.** ---
**Author:** ![Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3da27b/32.png) [@Nikki\_Tikki\_Tavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nikki_Tikki_Tavi)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/38 "2007-11-24T18:57:41Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] You like both rats and pigeons? Well I guess there’s allus one [/QUOTE] Or two 🙂 Guess us Michigan girls have a soft spot for urban wildlife. I like seagulls, too. I think they have pretty coloring. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/39 "2007-11-24T19:18:26Z")
[QUOTE=Nikki Tikki Tavi] Or two 🙂 Guess us Michigan girls have a soft spot for urban wildlife. I like seagulls, too. I think they have pretty coloring. [/QUOTE] But they’re EVIL! And they attack CHILDREN! I thought Finding Nemo’s depiction of seagulls was fairly accurate. “Mine? Mine? Mine! MINE MINE MINE!!!1!!11eleventy!” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529/40 "2007-11-24T20:55:36Z")
[QUOTE=RedRosesForMe] But they’re EVIL! And they attack CHILDREN! [/QUOTE] I’m trying to work on the W.C. Fields thing, but all I got is, “No bird that eats Cheetos and children can be all bad.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-feed-the-fucking-pigeons-dammit/427529.md?page=3)