How The Rising Pigeon Population is Impacting Urban Health in India

According to the State of India’s Birds 2023 report, the population of pigeons has shot up by over 150% since the year 2000​. In other words, pigeon numbers have more than doubled in about 25–30 years​. For instance, Delhi alone is estimated to host around 20–25 million pigeons in recent years​. To understand the scale of the problem, the pigeon population in India is around 300-400 million compared to the 1 billion-plus pigeon population.

With the rising population, pigeons are affecting urban hygiene as they can contaminate and defecate on buildings, gardens, roads, monuments, and window grills. Their droppings can spread various respiratory, skin, eye, diseases and many more. The major cities which are affected by this are Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and more.

Why Pigeons Thrive in Urban India?

Pigeons prefer to make their homes on a rock cliff structure, which makes our Urban landscapes an ideal spot for them to make nests, and our city hosts them with abundant food sources, may it be our leftovers or people feeding them out of kindness on a routine.

Below are factors resulting in pigeons thriving in Urban India:

• Abundant food supply: There is no lack of leftovers, residue waste and excess food in urban settings, which is an unlimited food source for pigeons.

• Lack of natural predators: An urban food chain is a lot different from a normal food chain thus, pigeons have found a comparative advantage and safe space in cities.

• Ideal nesting spot: The nooks and crooks of city building high-rise infrastructure are a nature-like home for pigeons as they identify them as a rock cliff. Buildings act as the perfect host for pigeons to build their nests.

• High reproductive rate: Pigeons can mate all year, which is one of the primary causes of pigeons thriving in urban India.

• Adaptability to human activity: Pigeons have blended into our lifestyles and are not disturbed by human activities and constructions.

Health Issues Posed by Pigeons

Finding pigeons in India is a common sight. However, research indicates that close contact with pigeons and their droppings might lead to serious health issues. The health issues posed by pigeons can be classified as below:

Respiratory Diseases:

• Histoplasmosis (lung infection): It is caused by a fungus found in pigeon droppings

• Cryptococcosis (lung infection): It is a fungal disease from dried pigeon droppings

• Psittacosis (Parrot fever): Caused by inhalation of dried pigeon droppings

Skin Diseases:

• Eczema and Allergic Dermatitis: Caused by pigeon feathers or droppings

• Pigeon Mite (bug) Dermatitis: Caused by migrating pigeon mites

Eye Infections:

• Conjunctivitis: Caused by allergens or bacteria from pigeons

Digestive Issues:

• Salmonellosis: Caused by contaminated food and water, which came into contact

Impact on Public Health & Hygiene

Flocks of pigeons are found everywhere, may it be buildings, gardens, public places, etc. While they add life to city parks, their droppings and dominance can cause significant damage to infrastructure and local ecosystems.

Beyond health issues, there are various other public hygiene and infrastructure issues which are as below:

• Damaging buildings and monuments: Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can corrode stone, metal, and painted surfaces over time. In cities, where pigeons roost and nest on building ledges in huge numbers, this results in significant wear and tear on infrastructure. Heritage structures have been especially affected.

• Public cleanliness and other pests: Pigeon gatherings create a mess in public spaces. Apart from defacing buildings, their droppings foul footpaths, benches, railings, and parks, impacting city cleanliness. The presence of feed and droppings also attracts secondary pests. Food left out for pigeons often draws rats, mice, and cockroaches to the area​.

• Noise and quality of life: Although not as tangible as structural damage or species loss, it’s worth noting that huge pigeon flocks create constant cooing noise and fouling odours in some areas, affecting residents’ quality of life. Apartment dwellers often complain of balconies rendered unusable due to nesting pigeons and the smell of droppings. Such issues, while secondary, add to the social nuisance aspect of the pigeon boom.

• Risk to various age groups: Children and senior citizens are at a higher risk compared to the adult population, as their immune systems are fragile. Whereas the risk increases if the individual has pre-existing diseases.

How to Minimise Health Risks Caused by Pigeons?

We can take note of the following pointers to minimise health risks caused by pigeons:

• Those who have a medical respiratory history or an ongoing similar disease must strictly avoid pigeons in public places

• The use of masks and hand sanitisers is recommended regularly as a health etiquette

• Pigeon-proof your home or building- use nets or mesh over balconies or windows

• Ensure ventilation systems are clean

• Clean safely and avoid inhalation of aerosols while cleaning

• Avoid feeding pigeons

• Improve ventilation and air filtration

While many urban bodies, such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune, have banned feeding pigeons in public, violations can lead to a fine. Anti-pigeon infrastructures like closed building gaps, spikes, mesh on balconies, rooftops and AC units should be promoted to ensure safety.

Role of Health Insurance in Managing Pigeon-Related Illnesses

While pigeons can pose various health risks, having comprehensive health insurance can protect you from a wide range of medical contingencies as well as pigeon-related illnesses.

Such types of illness are broadly categorised as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP), allergic asthma, cryptococcosis, and even lung fibrosis, which often require Chest X-rays, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT), Hospitalisation or even severe issues.

Health insurance can easily cover these expenses under standard hospitalisation and outpatient treatment clauses.

Pigeons: A friend or foe?

As we know, ‘A stitch in time saves nine.’ Active care and avoidance of exposure can keep us safe in the long term. Safe practices such as distancing ourselves from pigeons, wearing a mask, and using hand sanitisers and air filters will keep us out of danger.

Frequently Asked Questions