Bird Flu in Pigeons: What You Need to Know

Bird flu (avian influenza) is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds, and pigeons can catch it. Severe cases can be fatal, and some strains can, rarely, pass to humans. In the UK bird flu is a notifiable disease: suspected or confirmed cases must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (opens in new tab). In the USA, reporting rules vary by state, so contact the local state agency (opens in new tab).

Please note: this article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from an avian vet or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you have found an injured or sick bird, contact a vet or your local rescue (see our list of pigeon-friendly rescue centres).

A Bit of Bird Flu History

Bird flu is a serious issue, most particularly because it affects poultry stocks and therefore, a major food supply.

Because of this, there is always a strong government response to any outbreak.

As recently as November 2021, a bird flu prevention zone (opens in new tab) was declared across Great Britain following outbreaks in both poultry flocks and wild birds.

Although there is little risk of the disease communicating to humans, all bird owners are expected to tighten up their biosecurity measures.

The avian flu that causes so much concern was first identified in Southern China in 1996.

The viruses considered most severe are those that are communicable for humans.

The first major virus was identified as A(H5N1) and was deemed highly pathogenic. According to World Health Organization figures, there had been roughly 850 confirmed human cases of A(H5N1) and about 450 deaths by the end of 2016, and roughly 950 cases and 460 deaths by the end of 2024.

Since 1996, various strains of varying pathogeny have developed with a number of significant outbreaks, some confined to birds, others involving human infection and fatality. The WHO timeline charts the history of (H5N1) avian flu since 1996.

What Is Bird Flu?

In the simplest possible terms, bird flu is a type of influenza (opens in new tab) that can be caught by birds of all breeds and species.

For birds, this type of flu is very severe, and in the most dangerous of cases can even be fatal.

While the vast majority of birds are susceptible and vulnerable to contracting bird flu, the kind of bird that is most directly and fatally affected by the disease is poultry.

Many species of wildfowl and water birds can carry some strains with few signs of illness (although recent H5N1 strains have also killed large numbers of wild birds), and the virus spreads easily to chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.

What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu?

There are a number of different symptoms (opens in new tab) that indicate the presence of bird flu.

The most significant of these symptoms include:

A sudden increase in birds found dead within your owned population.
Similarity in illness of birds that share the same shed space.
Swollen heads.
Eyes that are overly watery or closed.
Increased lethargy.
Increased unresponsiveness.
A loss of balance and coordination.
Tremors in the body and/or head.
Dragging legs or drooping wings.
Twisting of the neck and head.
New blue colouring of the wattles and comb, often combined with swelling.
Loss of appetite.
Change in water consumption, either increase or decrease.
Respiratory issues including mouth breathing, nasal snicking, gurgling, rattling and sneezing.
Fever.
Loose watery droppings.
Extreme reduction in egg production.

What Are the Effects of Bird Flu?

Reading through the above-mentioned symptoms should give you a good idea of what this flu can do to a bird.

Factors like fever and respiratory problems combine to make the bird extremely uncomfortable.

The virus can become so powerful within a weakened bird’s body that its system fails to support itself and the bird eventually dies.

Some bird species are able to fight the influenza to the point where the symptoms start to subside, but others, including most poultry, tend to not be quite as lucky.

How Can You Prevent Bird Flu?

Though it is difficult to prevent bird flu from occurring in pockets among the wild population, some of the things that bird owners can do in order to reduce the risk of an outbreak include:

Fencing off any ponds, bogs, streams or patches of standing water, or even better, draining them if possible.
Netting off or covering undrainable ponds.
Attempting to deter wild birds from interacting with your birds by using things like predator decoys.
Cleaning and disinfecting any concrete areas that your birds have access to.
Laying down absorbent wood shavings in especially wet areas.
Trying to limit the number of different people that come in and out of your bird site on a regular basis.
Installing disinfectant foot dips at the entrances and exits of your bird enclosures.

How Can You Treat Bird Flu?

The most unfortunate thing about bird flu is the fact that there is currently no readily available treatment for the disease.

Vaccines for poultry do exist and some countries use them, but many countries restrict vaccination because it can mask infection in a flock and affect trade.

Vaccination in the UK (opens in new tab) was not permitted at the time of writing (except for zoo birds); rules vary by country and change over time.

Sadly, the most common outcome of a bird flu outbreak among a particular pocket or population is having to cull them.

The majority of countries operate under a strict culling policy when any proof of bird flu has been established, and that is why bird owners everywhere should take the prevention advice as seriously as possible.

What Is the Relationship Between Pigeons and Bird Flu?

A slight glimmer of good news, however, is that when it comes to pigeons in particular, bird flu does not appear to be as much of a concern compared to other breeds.

On the spectrum of infection, pigeons are on the lower end in terms of becoming infected and/or continuing to be infectious.

Pigeons are considered to be less susceptible to avian influenza (opens in new tab), with the virus, as we highlighted, being much more dangerous to the various breeds of poultry.

Humans and Bird Flu

Pigeon owners should be acquainted with the facts about bird flu not only for their pigeons but also to be able to prevent it, recognize the symptoms and what to do if diagnosed with it themselves.

Several strains of influenza known as avian flu (opens in new tab) have been transmitted to humans, including:

H5N1 (since 1997)
H7N9 (since 2013)
H5N6 (since 2014)
H5N8 (first reported in humans in 2021)

According to the World Health Organisation, the H5N1 strain was first discovered in humans in 1997. Around half of reported human H5N1 infections have been fatal, although milder cases may go undetected.

Bird flu is spread to humans by contact with an infected bird. Sustained spread from human to human has not been seen, although a few limited cases have been reported.

You should also note that any of the seasonal flu vaccines provided by the NHS in the UK offer no protection against bird flu.

Preventing bird flu in humans

Avoid touching sick birds (wear gloves and a mask to handle them)
Avoid touching bird droppings (mask and gloves should be worn)
Do not eat infected birds or their eggs

Symptoms of bird flu in humans

a very high temperature
feeling hot or shivery
aching muscles
headache
a cough or shortness of breath

Treatment of bird flu in humans

An infection will need to be confirmed and this is through tests.

If confirmed, antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) will be prescribed and you may also be isolated in hospital.

The Takeaway

Bird flu can be fatal to birds and humans.

If you keep pigeons, there is an onus on you to be informed of any issues associated with bird flu and also to take preventative measures as advised by the relevant government/federal and state agencies.

This guide is general information. If a bird is injured or seriously ill, contact an avian vet or a wildlife rescue as soon as you can.

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Last updated 1 November 2026 · Health