Domestic pigeons kept for racing or showing have specific welfare needs, and escaped or abandoned birds contribute to feral populations that themselves face significant urban welfare challenges.
Feral pigeons face chronic welfare challenges in urban environments. Anti-pigeon measures including spikes, netting, and gel deterrents cause injury when birds become trapped or entangled. Rodenticides used for pest control sometimes kill pigeons and the raptors that prey on them. Humane population management through fertility control and feeding management is more effective long-term and avoids the welfare costs of lethal approaches. Urban pigeon welfare is often neglected because they are considered pest species despite being domesticated animals.