about bats not only heard one, but at least they had seen hovering in the sky.But on the winged rats?This expression can be found in modern French language, and in any other.So what kind of mysterious birds live in France?Who are they and how to look?Whom the French call "flying rat?"Surely you lit up with curiosity.And you can not wait to find out the answers to these questions.Later in the article we will try to give exhaustive explanations.
whom the French call "flying rat?"
Searching in many textbooks of zoology name of an animal or bird, and not finding it, we realized that such a representative squad birds simply does not exist in nature.So who is it?The answer suggests itself.This is certainly the nickname that residents of France gave some birds because of their features.But who is it?Raven?Forty?Jackdaws?It turns out that the French call pigeons "flying rat."True, it is strange?After all, we've learned that these birds known as a symbol of peace.After all, according to legend, the dove that Noah released, brought him an olive branch in its beak, which was a sign that God has forgiven mankind.And now we know whom the French call "flying rat."Naturally, this leads us in bewilderment.And the first thing that comes to mind - probably talking about a special kind of pigeons, something similar to these rodents, which in many disgust.So why and whom the French call "flying rat?"
dove gray
these birds in the nature of a lot and they come in various types.Most domesticated and are often found in urban pigeons are bluish.Their homeland is North Africa.Even 5,000 years ago, they are specially bred in ancient Egypt, including those for human consumption.Another function of these pigeons was mail.And they were engaged in this business until the mid-20th century.Latin name bluish pigeons - Columba livia var.urbana.Over time, they have proliferated around the world and even hit the American and Australian continents.Today it is impossible to imagine an area of some metropolis without these lovely birds.So why the French dubbed them so unsympathetic name?
reasons unusual nickname
So we already know who the French call "flying rats" is to understand why.By the way, in addition to the nickname, the French pigeons, there is also another - "dude."As you can see, none of them connected with the word "peace."But the reason to compare these birds to rodents from the French a lot.In large cities, their main habitat are landfills where they all flock swarm in search of food.This naturally leads to the fact that pigeons are as rats, carriers of various infections.The easiest disease is an allergy, but among serious - psittacosis.By the way, as vectors of diseases pigeons are much more dangerous rodents because, unlike the latter, moving on the ground, birds cover a wider area.
How is the infection?
Like all birds, the pigeons leave behind droppings on the window sills, roofs of houses, on monuments, and just on the sidewalks.These droppings dry up and turn into dust, which spreads everywhere because of wind gusts.As a result, many residents an allergy.By the way, pigeon droppings contain very toxic substance, which can cause corrosion of metals.Now imagine what happens to human mucous membranes, if they got dust containing dried droppings.And, for example, villagers use manure to fertilize the soil.In principle, the country of the poor birds have a lot more wholesome food, and there is no need to eat garbage.Hence, their droppings are not so dangerous.
Conclusion Of course, being a vector of contagion - it is not noble.However, severely calling birds, once regarded as a symbol of peace, so impartially - "rats."Fortunately, we have this is still not reached, and we continue to call them affectionately doves.
