Can domestic pigeons transmit coronavirus? Can pigeons be eaten during the epidemic?

Can we eat pigeons during the epidemic? Many people are worried that pigeons carry viruses. This time, the new coronavirus pneumonia is also related to eating pigeons. In fact, this is not the case. Don’t worry too much. There is no problem with raising pigeons at home, but you must also maintain hygiene at home. For details, you can read the introduction provided by this website.

Can domestic pigeons be infected with coronavirus? 

In the Year of Gengzi, the epidemic broke out in Wuhan. Staff in some areas have malicious intentions and go online to talk nonsense about pigeons being susceptible animals, causing panic to people who don't know the truth.

The mayor of Yangzhou’s hotline helps bring order to the chaos. Give this positive mayor a thumbs up! Thank you!

Also: Pigeon fanciers are reminded that during extraordinary times, they should try to avoid going out as much as possible. The racing pigeons they raise should be kept in a cage and should not be flown at home. They should maintain good hygiene and disinfect regularly.

The following is the original text of Yangzhou Mayor’s Hotline.

The homing pigeon is a type of domestic pigeon, mainly used for communication and racing, and is often used as a symbol of peace. Not wild animals.

The new coronavirus is spread among mammals. Homing pigeons are not mammals, so it is impossible to spread the new coronavirus.

Can we eat pigeons during the epidemic?

You can still eat pigeons if they come from regular sources.

But if the source is unknown and there is no quarantine certificate, it is not recommended to eat it.

According to news released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on February 5, on February 3, 10 ministries (bureaus) jointly deployed special law enforcement operations to combat illegal trade in wildlife. Now, various localities have taken active actions to strictly investigate the illegal sale, purchase, use, transportation, carrying, and delivery of wild animals and their products, as well as related advertisements.

What principle does pigeons use to get home?

I can tell you clearly that pigeons rely on magnetic fields to identify directions.

Magnetosomes exist in many organisms. What are magnetosomes? Let’s do some popular science.

I found some pictures on the Internet, they look like this

We see that magnetosomes are actually an orderly arrangement of a bunch of magnetic nanoparticles. Its essence is actually ferroferric oxide, which is the magnet we learned in junior high school chemistry class.

This material can detect the magnetic field around it. And it is now found in many organisms. For example, flagellates, pigeons, and humans are also found.

At the end of the pigeon’s beak, there are two small polyps. The pigeon's magnetic nanoparticles are probably in that position.

Related news

In order to pay tribute to the medical staff who are fighting on the front line of the epidemic and to give back to all the medical team members who are assisting Hubei, Hubei's A-level tourist attractions have launched the "Thanksgiving Angels in White, Beautiful Hubei Welcomes You" gratitude feedback activity. All A-level tourist attractions will provide free admission to the medical team members who are aiding Hubei for five years. The preferential period is from when the scenic spot resumes normal operations after the epidemic ends to December 31, 2024. The preferential targets are medical team members assisting Hubei, including all members of the national, military and provincial medical teams