In the video sent to us, an elderly woman can be seen scattering food for birds in one fixed location at the intersection of Jana Pawła II and Gałczyńskiego streets in Bolesławiec. A large number of pigeons gather there within a short time. As the person who recorded the video points out, the situation occurs regularly and has long provoked objections from nearby residents.
– She scatters food constantly. The housing cooperative cannot do anything about it. 9:00 on Sunday morning – you could set your watch by her – the reader reports.
According to him, feeding birds in this location directly contributes to worsening sanitary conditions.
– Because of this feeding, rats appear on Jana Pawła. I myself saw one running away – he adds.
Publicly available sources, including recommendations from the sanitary authorities, local governments and nature conservation organizations, indicate that feeding pigeons in cities is not recommended. These birds are perfectly adapted to living in an urban environment and can easily find food on their own.
Experts point out that regularly scattering food:
- leads to large flocks of pigeons gathering in one place,
- results in the contamination of pavements, benches and building façades,
- attracts rats and other rodents, which take advantage of the leftovers,
- increases the risk of zoonotic diseases and parasites,
- disrupts the birds' natural behaviour, making them dependent on easy access to food.
In many cities, regulations on maintaining cleanliness and order are in force and prohibit feeding birds in public places if it causes littering or a sanitary hazard. In such cases, a fine may be imposed.
Although people who feed birds are often acting with good intentions, specialists emphasize that in urban conditions such actions do more harm than good.