Some people think they're dirty and harbor diseases. But city birds know how to keep clean. You can often see them taking baths. Pigeon droppings can create problems on buildings or statues if allowed to accumulate in large amounts. The droppings also can harbor diseases unless they are regularly washed away.
Cleanliness is key.
If you handle pigeons, be sure to wash your hands afterwards, just as you would after handling any wild animal. A spokesman for the American Pigeon Fanciers Council says this statement applies to feral pigeon flocks, too. He says the homing and racing pigeons that people raise stay healthy even though they often come into contact with feral pigeons. More frequently asked questions in the Spring 1999 issue of Birdscope.