Since you’re talking about pigeons today, I was wondering if you knew the answer to something that’s been troubling me about them for a long time. Whenever I’m in town, I pay attention to pigeons’ feet, and so many of them seem to be missing toes. How do you think that happens? I live in a very cold country, so I’ve wondered if the birds lose their toes to cold or something? Probably a silly question, sorry!

todaysbird:

hey!! not a silly question! the cold is probably a factor in it. birds can lose their toes due to frostbite fairly easily. in cities, they also commonly have string or hair wrap around a toe and cut off its circulation, making it fall off over time. there’s also a few other possible factors:

• attacks from other pigeons or city animals like rats
• injuries in the nest
• infections from dirty environments

luckily, birds can live long and happy lives even with injured feet 🙂