Feeding Pigeons

The natural diet of our pigeons consists mostly of seeds, nuts, and grains, but also includes berries, fruits, vegetables, and small invertebrates. They will, however, eat almost anything, though that doesn't mean they necessarily should.

Yes, these foods are safe for pigeons:

• Most grains such as wheat, corn, barley, millet, rye, oats, brown rice, etc.
• Most small seeds such as sunflower, hemp, and flaxseed
• Sunflower hearts (a favourite)
• Crushed or chopped peanuts (also a favourite)
• Peas (thawed)
• Most fruits, vegetables, and berries, though be mindful of potentially toxic seeds
• Birdseed mix from a pet store

No, do not feed these to pigeons
(entries in bold are toxic):

• Bread
• Crackers
• Crisps, chips, or any kind of 'junk food'
• Popcorn
• Breakfast Cereal
• Pastries etc.
• Citrus fruits
• Anything with a high water content (such as iceberg or head lettuce, or celery)
• Dairy
• Pigeon meat or eggs
• Onions (and any related vegetables)
• Avocado
• Poppy seeds
• Dried beans
• Conkers (horse chestnuts)
• Chocolate
• Anything caffeinated, carbonated, alcoholic, fried, containing xylitol, or high in sugar or salt

It's important that anything you feed pigeons should be in small enough pieces that it won't risk choking them; they have small beaks and big appetites. My own rule of thumb - and I am not an expert - is that anything smaller than a peanut (without the shell, the actual nut itself) should be fine. I try not to feed them whole peanuts but I've seen them get ahold of them, and thankfully never seen one choke, but it's better to err on the safe side nonetheless.

Sporadically feeding crows, gulls, and most other city birds is much of the same, though crows particularly can handle both larger and more complex offerings. I like to give them whole monkey nuts, since that provides both the enrichment of breaking them open, and a delicious, protein-dense reward inside. Both crows and pigeons will remember you if you visit them often enough, and with enough time you might forge quite a profound, personal trust.

Pigeons are some of the most loving and gentle (not to mention accessible) birds I've ever encountered, and feeding them and interacting with them is an utter delight that costs next to nothing. They've helped me heal in ways many paid therapists couldn't, and humanity is generally very cruel to them. Reconsider the humble pigeon, and make the world both a kinder place for them, and a more joyful place for yourself.

Here's an entire page dedicated to why I love pigeons and you should too.