General Chat

Sampling of pigeons captured on the streets of Madrid has revealed the bacterial pathogens they carry. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica found two bugs that were highly prevalent in the bird population, Chlamydophila psittaci and Campylobacter jejuni, both of which cause illness in humans. Fernando Esperón from the Animal Health Research Center, Madrid, Spain, worked with a team of researchers to analyse blood and enema samples taken from 118 pigeons caught using gun-propelled nets. He said, "The present study demonstrates the extremely high prevalence of two zoonotic pathogens in feral pigeons in Madrid. At the same time, infection with these pathogens did not appear to be associated with any harmful clinical signs in the birds themselves. This leads to the hypothesis that pigeons act as asymptomatic reservoirs of Chlamydophila psittaci and Campylobacter jejuni. These birds may therefore pose a public health risk to the human population".

Chlamydophila psittaci was found in 52.6% of the pigeons captured, while Campylobacter jejuni was present in 69.1%. Although there have been few reports of disease transmission between pigeons and humans, it can occur by aerosols, direct contact or indirect contact through food and water contamination. According to Esperón, "Thermophilic Campylobacter species are considered the primary pathogens responsible for acute diarrhea in the world. In fact, in many countries such as England and Wales, Canada, Australia and New Zealand Campylobacter jejuni infection causes more cases of acute diarrhea than infection by Salmonella species".
Source: BioMed Central

Is it legal, in UK, to trap these flying rats?

Rats carry 3 health dangers.
Pigeons about 26.
I would never consider a pigeon as a pet, and knowing how many dangers they pose, I hate it when they fly up in front of me, flapping their disgusting dust towards me.
We have had pet rats - one - the first - was a 'wild' one picked up on the underground as a baby - she was the best!

In my opinion Pigeons and esp Seagulls are flying rats!
I am disgusted that one pooed on my head and handbag in As*a this morning.
Altho i was fortunate to have tissues with me, and had al augh about it afterwards, it is supposed to be lucky!! Fingers crossed :))

Hi Len,

Sandie, do you mean actually in Asda or their car park?

It is supposed to be lucky, funnily enough I was thinking that as I went to the car today, it's covered in bird poop so i bought my lottery tickets when out, hoping they will be lucky ones.

Lizx

In the car park Liz :)))..lol
If I owned an air gun (do I need a licence ) I would take a pop at them,cos our cars are often covered, and it is so corrosive !

You do not need a licence for an air gun, so long as the power is within a limit.

As for bird poo, as a teenager I was leaning on the railings admiring the harbour at Fowey in Cornwall when a seagull got me dead in the middle of my back.

Seagull poo is LARGE.

1. Shoot 2 dozen pigeons
2. Remove the breasts
3. Brown in a wok with a little oil
4. Chop a large onion finely and add to the wok
5. Stir for 5 minutes until the onion is softened
6. Place in a pie dish and cover with stock
7. Cover the dish with pastry of your chioce (I prefer suet-crust) and brush with milk.
8. Bake in a pre-heated oven (180 degrees, gas mark 5), for 45 mins

Serve with mashed potato and fresh picked peas straight from the garden

Yum Yum

Is there an alternative to peas? Pigeons have cleared all mine.

ugh, have you any idea what's in Kentucky fried and the Colonel's finest !

The maximum power of air guns used to be 18 ft/lbs but any decent gun shop should be able to supply stronger springs. I believe pigeons are game birds and you do not need a license. Tip: you must go for head shots with air weapons as the breast is too tough.

One less of the varmints. One landed on my back lawn today - and was promptly taken by what looked like a sparrow hawk.

Lucky you, Len!!!!
I love raptors.

current air rifle muzzle energy is 12 foot pounds......any more than that you will need a firearm certificate
Bob

Hi Len

Well I wish something would take that darned bird off our roof at silly oclock - it's so noisy and repetive lol


O.h. got torpedoed with a seagull dropping in Marazion years back, right on his bald head and best shirt shoulder lol A real Splat!

Have to admit I couldn't pass the tissues for laughing and until I had taken a photo lol. An old Cornishman was watching from his doorway and told o.h. it was supposed to be lucky. Me, I was crying with laughter and trying not to need a tena lol

Lizx