Pigeons are one of the most successful birds on Earth, thriving in cities worldwide — and a big reason is that they will eat almost anything they can find.
What pigeons eat naturally
Wild and feral pigeons are mainly seed and grain eaters, feeding on grass seeds, grains, and some fruit, berries and greens. Their wild ancestors, rock doves, forage on the ground for seeds, and city pigeons keep the same habit — you will usually see them pecking about at ground level.
City pigeons and human food
In towns and cities, pigeons have become expert scavengers, eating bread, chips, crumbs and all sorts of dropped food. They can survive on this, but junk food is not good for them, and large flocks fed on scraps can become a nuisance and a health concern in public spaces.
Should you feed pigeons?
Feeding pigeons is often discouraged, especially in cities, because it swells flocks, encourages mess and can spread disease — and many places have rules against it. If you do feed them, skip the bread and offer small amounts of seeds, grains or defrosted peas and corn, and check your local guidelines first.