Pigeons in Vigo

Now to me the average feral pigeon is simply a flying rat. I'm sure I'm not the only one. They're everywhere. Sure, most of the food they find is dropped by us, but that doesn't mean I like them. In Vigo however it's a different matter. The locals positively encourage them. These birds aren't any different to those I see at home. Not endangered in any way. Small, scrappy, grey, missing toes and some look as though they couldn't fly even if they wanted to. Local restaurants give them scraps of bread actually inside the premisses as well as outside. I think public health would have a heart attack in the UK. I have seen one old man chase away sparrows from titbits he'd put down. He didn't just wave his arms either, he chased them all round the fountain. Not everybody likes them though. On the promenade near the cruise liner berth there are plenty of little cafes and restaurants. As is the custom here, tapas is presented with every order. This could be bread, peanuts, tortilla etc. Most of the locals don't finish it and it's left for somebody to clean away. If they're not quick enough the birds get there first. As they're not the most careful of eaters the crockery can in everywhere. This isn't just pigeons though, as the sparrows and seagulls get their piece and break just as many plates and glasses.