Pigeons aren’t very picky eaters, these animals are known to happily eat a variety of foods, some of which are less than desirable to humans. Pigeons are opportunistic feeders and can survive on a variety of different foods.

Generally, all pigeons are able to survive on a diet of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, small insects, and even small lizards. Though pigeons that live amongst us in cities will eat almost anything.

With this in mind you may be asking yourself ‘do pigeons eat mice’ this article explores this question. 

Pigeons do not eat mice, pigeons may be opportunistic feeders but mice will rarely be eaten by pigeons. Pigeon beaks are not designed to eat vertebrates. These animals may occasionally eat lizards and insects but the bulk of their diet is seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

 

Do pigeons eat mice?

Pigeons can’t catch mice

The reason why pigeons eat almost anything is that they have limited food options. Pigeons have learned to nest, breed, and thrive in urban areas and eat whatever is available  But one thing that a pigeon likely won’t eat is a mouse.

Mice are usually eaten by birds of prey like owls, hawks, and eagles. Pigeons are generally limited to eating what they can catch, catching a mouse is not always easy and thus these birds will likely not try to catch and eat these rodents. 

Mouse meat is very tough for pigeons

Another reason why pigeons will likely not eat mice is because of the toughness of the meat.

Birds that mainly eat meat are called carnivores, their beaks are strong and hooked. The upper part of a carnivore’s beak generally protrudes over the lower, this shape allows the bird to tear through flesh.

Pigeons are insectivores and granivores, they mainly eat insects and grains, their beaks are not designed to eat meat. Pigeons are able to eat cooked meat, this is usually meat thrown out by humans, but eating raw meat like freshly caught mice is more difficult.

Cooked meat is softer to tear into and eat. 

Diseases:

Wild mice, and other rodents, can carry a variety of diseases and parasites that can make your bird sick. Domesticated pigeons do not have strong immune systems like wild pigeons do.

The parasites and diseases on mice can kill pigeons. Mice can also get you sick as well. 

Do pigeons attract mice?

Pigeons don’t necessarily attract mice, but humans that feed pigeons indirectly do.

Generally, humans unknowingly give pigeons more food than the birds need. Birds will only eat until they are satisfied, this prevents them from overeating and prevents the bird from putting on too much weight.

Too much weight negatively affects how birds fly and live. The food leftover by pigeons attracts other pests like mice who are generally not fed by the public. 

Do other birds eat mice?

Mice and other small rodents are typically a part of a raptor diet.

Because these birds have beaks designed to tear into flesh, and because they have evolved to be quite skilled hunters, they are able to quickly and easily hunt and eat mice. These birds are known to eat mice:

• Northern hawk owl

• Eastern screech owl

• Northern harrier 

• Northern shrike 

• Northern saw-whet owl

• Red-tailed hawk 

• Whistling kite 

• Short-eared owl 

• Red-billed horn-bill

• Common buzzard 

• Barn owl

• Snowy owl 

Do mice eat pigeons? 

Mice, just like pigeons, are opportunistic feeders, they will eat whatever they can. These tiny animals have been seen attacking and killing birds.

Mice will likely eat a pigeon if it is sickly or old and too weak to fight back. If the pigeons are able to, they will fight the mice off or simply fly away 

Mice can also eat baby pigeons if they get the chance. If the parent pigeons aren’t paying attention, mice can sneak into a pigeon’s nest where young chicks are and gnaw at the babies’ feathers then proceed to eat their entrails. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, no, pigeons do not eat mice. Pigeons are designed to eat plant matter, some small insects, and the occasional lizard but are not designed to eat vertebrates such as mice.

Mice on the other hand sometimes eat pigeons, especially the weak or sick ones and helpless baby pigeons as well. Birds that do eat mice are generally birds of prey.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other pigeon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in:  Do pigeons eat bananas?, Do pigeons eat acorns?, Do pigeons eat corn?, Do pigeons eat grass?, Do pigeons eat fish?, Do pigeons eat other birds eggs?, Do pigeons eat popcorn?,