Lots of people call them that- they are highest on the list of spreading diseases to humans I was told and they get into and filth everything up just like rats.... after having some take over our shed and destroy everything I owned and half of my mums stuff too I do unfortunately agree with those who call them flying rats.
The belief that pigeons carry more diseases is a common but factually inaccurate one.
“The conclusion you can reach from all of the above (see article linked below) is that whilst the tendency of pigeons to deposit their droppings on our cars or homes is inconvenient and unpleasant, they are not any more "diseased" than any other bird, and in fact, many of the diseases associated with them are more common in domestic pets or intensively farmed poultry, animals that we deem safe enough to consume or share our homes with.
Whilst yes, it is technically possible for a pigeon to transmit a disease to a human, just as it is for any animal to do so, it's highly unlikely, and almost never occurs. It's so unlikely that it cannot possibly justify the reputation of pigeons, or our treatment of them as a result of that reputation”
From:
Do Pigeons Really Spread Disease?.
Also pigeons played a life saving role in World Wars.
I believe a few forum members are proud guardians of pet pigeons—I count myself amongst those lucky few.
