If you feed the pigeons you are contributing to the health risks associated with them. Pigeons are a perfect mechanism for spreading disease because they travel great distances, harbor over forty types of parasites and can host internally over sixty types of infectious diseases. Remember, these feral pigeons defecate and leave dropping everywhere they roost. Airborne spores from drying feces in air ducts and vents can settle on exposed food and transfer disease. Infection from pigeon feces is very common.
Infection occurs when fecal dust or droppings get in an open wound or cut.
The wound site becomes very infected and in some cases bloodstream infection occurs. These birds also carry a host of parasites such as ticks, fleas, mites and other ectopatasites. Over forty types of parasites live either on the birds, in their nests or in the places they roost. They are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents. Pigeons roosting on roof-top air ducts of restaurants are a serious health concern and require immediate attention.