Bird Flu and Pigeons

Can pigeons spread bird flu?

Sometimes I see people wondering whether pigeons can carry or spread bird flu (avian influenza), so here’s some clarity from a rescue standpoint: Pigeons are naturally resistant to bird flu, even to the highly pathogenic strains like H5N1. Their respiratory systems don’t support the virus well, so they almost never get sick from it or spread it to other birds. Studies have shown that even when pigeons are deliberately exposed to large amounts of the virus, they typically don’t shed enough to infect anything else.

In rare cases, a pigeon could mechanically carry virus particles on their feathers, feet, or droppings if they came into contact with contaminated surfaces (like shared water or feed). But that’s very short-lived and extremely unlikely to cause transmission.

For these reasons, health agencies and veterinary experts agree that pigeons are not meaningful carriers or reservoirs for avian influenza. The risk they pose is minimal compared to waterfowl, chickens, and turkeys.

What if I’m rescuing a pigeon?

It’s still good practice to quarantine new arrivals (more for the birds’ sakes than to protect humans, it’s not easy for humans to get sick from pigeons) and keep up with basic hygiene —but rest assured, pigeons are not a real concern when it comes to bird flu. They’re actually one of the least likely species to spread it.