Tag: asks

Hello, I love your blog but I have troubles looking for more information about the birds, since common names varies from countries or regions; what I mean is if you could write the actual scientist names, since English, like a lot of others followers, is not my main language. Thanks and keep the good work!

yes, of course! for educational posts i’ll try to keep that in mind. apologies, i’ll try to make posts more accessible to people whose first language isn’t English!

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!

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 🙂