atomlib #123>>w>>216618d1789758344[reply][quote]I carefully put him on the ground after taking this picture, and I was holding him carefully without hurting the guy. Unfortunately, these occasional captures don't stop either this or the rest of them from attacking my peanut bag and perching on my forearms and palms. I like to think it hurts their self-esteem when I grab them like that, but they clearly have none because they are ready to play tug of war with me when I hold a peanut kernel between my fingers really tight making them put an effort into earning it. And the worst part, I go there to feed hooded crows, not these guys.
atomlib #123>>w>>217118d1789758876[reply][quote]Birds don't get rabies. In fact, we don't share any infections, viruses, or parasites with pigeons. The most annoying part that can happen is that they step into their own wet fecal matter, then perch on me with all of the consequences. Otherwise, they even never poop on me, they do it on the ground (you can easily tell by the specific tail movements). The only thing I have to do is to wash my hands (including my arms) afterwards, as well as face, and I have to wipe my smartphone with isopropyl alcohol for a good measure if I touched it during my walk.
atomlib #123>>w>>218118d1789789695[reply][quote]Essentially, birds' body tempereature is too hot for rabies. It's nice actually: when they perch on your forearm, their feet are hot. I love that feeling.
The peanut bandit pigeon (the banded one; you can see him on one of my pictures) growls impatiently when I don't immediately give him peanuts. I might be having him perched on my left forearm and throwing individual peanuts towards crows, and he would see that and make this jealous sound. I really like the guy, the rest aren't like that. I should probably film that, it's really cute.
