Can humans get sick from pigeons?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the truth is that it’s extremely rare.

Despite what a lot of people have heard, it’s actually very hard for a healthy person to get sick from pigeons. Pigeons, like all animals, can carry a few microorganisms, but transmission to humans almost never happens. The illnesses sometimes mentioned—psittacosis, histoplasmosis, or cryptococcosis —are technically possible but almost never seen in healthy people.

But when can it happen?

When they do occur, it’s usually in extreme situations: someone with a severely compromised immune system, or a person who’s been exposed to massive amounts of dried droppings in a closed, unventilated space like an old barn or building.

Simply being around pigeons, cleaning up after them, or caring for them does not pose a meaningful risk. Normal contact—feeding, cleaning, cuddling, or housing pigeons indoors—is completely safe.

What about wild pigeons?

Even catching and caring for sick or injured pigeons won’t make you sick as long as you practice basic hygiene. People all over the world handle pigeons every day, and lifelong rescuers, rehabbers, and fanciers have cared for sick and injured birds for decades without ever experiencing health problems related to them.

How do I stay healthy?

The key is simple, commonsense hygiene: wash your hands after cleaning, wear a dust mask if you’re working in a very dusty area, and keep their space reasonably clean and ventilated.

That’s all most people will ever need.

Public health data shows that confirmed pigeon-related infections are extraordinarily rare—so rare they barely register compared to illnesses associated with dogs, cats, chickens, or other animals people live closely with. The risk from pigeons is among the lowest of any companion species.

In short: pigeons are gentle, intelligent, and clean animals that pose minimal risk to humans.

The idea that they’re “dirty” or dangerous is outdated and not supported by science. With a little care and cleanliness, sharing your life with pigeons is just as safe as it is rewarding.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering or adopting, don’t let misinformation hold you back—these birds deserve compassion, not stigma.