Small children chasing pigeons in the park - harmless or mean?

My grandson is 10 and severely autistic and his favourite thing is going to the park and making sure all duck and geese are in the pond where they should be. I feed them proper duck food and he guards the perimeter making sure they don’t hope out. I make sure he’s very gentle and I’ve explained why he should be and I would be so upset if he was judged because of it. People are very understanding when I explain. It’s very calming for him.

Claremont

I totally agree with those who feel it is wrong to allow children to chase birds. I was told to 'go away' (FO) when I told a father with young children who were bothering swans, throwing small stones, the female sitting on eggs.

We can all agree pigeons can be a pain, are too numerous in some seaside towns, etc, and that it is fair to shoo away ana trying to steal food. Absolutely nothing to do with children learning that it ok to taunt animals and cause distress to animals for fun.

I agree with Claremont.
Some years ago walking my dog in the park I came upon two children , a girl about 7 , boy about 9 , throwing large sticks at ducks,quite deliberately in order to hit them. No adults were present to stop them so I told them off in no uncertain terms and stood waiting with my dog until they both buzzed off on their bikes. Of course I got a load of " mouth" from the boy. What is the world coming to when children are so cruel.

I saw boys stoning frogs when I was a young child, out to play. My friends ran away but I stayed and shouted at them and then thought it best rpto run home myself!

Running at pigeons? I think it would train them to react by flying away from danger.

AmberGran

I think most of the young children I've seen chasing pigeons have not been intentionally chasing them but trying to get close enough to play with them.

I'll admit to chasing pigeons, jackdaws, rooks, magpies, starlings and squirrels out of the garden because while they're stealing all the bird food the smaller birds don't get a look in. I also chase them away from the table if I'm eating outdoors. I suspect I really ought to resign from the human race.

It’s how I feel too. I think there’s no comparison between stoning swans and a toddler running after pigeons.

For what it’s worth 🐦 🔫

This is a bit of a dilemma. I would stop my children (back in the day) from chasing them because it’s not kind and I would want my children to understand that.
I have no problem with my DH shooting them though!
I wonder what the pigeons prefer!

I just think they all need feeding and don’t really mind what gets there first, mine all line up in the mornings for breakfast seagull first pigeons next then the magpies starlings and lastly the sparrows they all seem to get some pickings The smaller birds can come down into my over full garden but the seagulls can’t as they don’t take off upwards they need a runway and as I say my garden is fulllllll

I think most of the young children I've seen chasing pigeons have not been intentionally chasing them but trying to get close enough to play with them.

I'll admit to chasing pigeons, jackdaws, rooks, magpies, starlings and squirrels out of the garden because while they're stealing all the bird food the smaller birds don't get a look in. I also chase them away from the table if I'm eating outdoors. I suspect I really ought to resign from the human race.

I never ran after any bird when I was a child I was always taught to respect birds and animals and old people and to be courteous to a policeman but not afraid to ask for help if I needed it

Very young children possibly see wanting to get near the pigeons in the same light as adults always wanting to get close to them for cuddles or “isn’t she cute” moments.

Certainly not the same as kicking or throwing stones at them and unless the many grans on here who probably ran after pigeons in their early childhood, went on to kick, or throw things at the pigeons or other animals . . .
Just a quiet “you’re frightening the birds” is enough. Or maybe keep the children confined to their pushchairs or even stay away from the park?

Children should not be allowed to chase any wildlife full stop.

We Grans are supposed to be known for our wisdom.
I remember DGS1 running towards pigeons when he was a toddler. I warned him he might fall over and the pigeons would fly away. Well, we know everything don’t we?

It was such fun dealing with a sobbing toddler with grazed knees and not a pigeon in sight! 😂

Allira

^and even to try to kick them or throw things at them^.
Absolutely not.
But pigeons and seagulls threatening your picnic? Sorry. They need to keep their distance.

Quite. Talk about a false equivalence. Throwing stones and kicking are not remotely comparable with a toddler 'chasing' pigeons, and the fact that the comparison has had to be made in an attempt to prove a point speaks for itself - the chasing (which will basically be running amongst the birds) is innocuous and cruelty to animals is quite another.

We had our dog (a Cairn Terrier, so not sure very big dog) on his lead in a town a few weeks ago. There was a flock of pigeons strutting on the pavement nearby. Without warning, he suddenly let out a single ear-splitting WOOF! The pigeons flew off more quickly than they had probably ever flown before.

Well yes, but the same basic principle. Not telling young children that taunting animals is cruel and not acceptable.

Throwing stones at nesting swans is quite different from a two year old rushing around a park and consequently making the pigeons fly to the nearest tree! It's on a different level altogether.

I totally agree with those who feel it is wrong to allow children to chase birds. I was told to 'go away' (FO) when I told a father with young children who were bothering swans, throwing small stones, the female sitting on eggs.

We can all agree pigeons can be a pain, are too numerous in some seaside towns, etc, and that it is fair to shoo away ana trying to steal food. Absolutely nothing to do with children learning that it ok to taunt animals and cause distress to animals for fun.

😁
A future Sir Peter Scott!

I would say, slow down and walk up to them slowly then you will be able to watch them and see what they are doing.

You could otherwise be discouraging one of the country's greatest bird experts, before he is out of nappies.

Cronesrule

Allira, I know what you mean! A crow took my croissant from my hand on route to my mouth a couple of weeks ago! But guarding the food and shooing off wildlife is an adequate response. Is only natural they seek sources of food. No need to be cruel to them. However, I like birds, even pigeons. Just because there are a lot of them they are called vermin. This is unfair. They are quite beautiful in my opinion!

My crab sandwiches and DH's icecream - stolen by a seagull.
Today the pigeons eating the garden produce.

The problem is, pigeons can have 5 or even 6 broods a year, no sooner have the fledglings gone, they're at it again on the fence. We didn't have any here at all years ago and we had a lot more smaller garden birds. Now they have declined and the pigeons, crows and seagulls increased.

Just watching Mrs Blackbird pecking up ants and spilled bird seed but if the pigeons come they'll see her off.

Allira, I know what you mean! A crow took my croissant from my hand on route to my mouth a couple of weeks ago! But guarding the food and shooing off wildlife is an adequate response. Is only natural they seek sources of food. No need to be cruel to them. However, I like birds, even pigeons. Just because there are a lot of them they are called vermin. This is unfair. They are quite beautiful in my opinion!

Am presuming everyone avoids eating battery chickens! Gosh - they have a far worse life than pigeons living their lives being chased around in the open air

Frankski yes I don’t eat any meat or fish either but to be honest it’s very different to teaching children to respect wildlife and not to want to hurt them not eating flesh is my adult choice teaching respect is another choice and obviously this little girls mums choice too
Posters are correct to say the little girl can’t hurt the pigeons they ll just fly away, but surely it’s a great lesson in respect for wildlife.
Give the child a ball

and even to try to kick them or throw things at them.
Absolutely not.
But pigeons and seagulls threatening your picnic? Sorry. They need to keep their distance.

Well, when gulls are crashing down on your outside table at the coast, stealing your crab salad, I take it you smile and say "There you are, Sebastian, you're welcome, take your fill. I'll eat what's left."

Children chasing birds is one of my pet peeves! It doesn’t matter what type of bird it is. There are several parks with birds that I visit and it is amazing to me that small children, in clear view of their parents, are allowed to chase them and even to try to kick them or throw things at them. Bottom line, it is cruelty to wildlife. Not OK. The younger children are taught to name, nurture and respect wildlife the better for all of us!

I don't like to see children chasing wildlife no matter if they pigeons, gulls or anything else. It is mean.