The three main dangers to pigeons' toes are illnesses, predators, and accidents. Pigeons are susceptible to two diseases that can lead to loss of toes: avian pox, a virus that first shrivels their toes to the point where they fall off, and eventually leads to death; and fungal infections, the price that pigeons pay for roaming around in such dirty environments. Nonflying predators often attack roosting pigeons, and the toes and lower leg are the most vunerable part of the pigeons' anatomy. Accidents will happen, too. Toes are lost in tight places, namely, cracks or crevices that their toes can become stuck in. Also, toes can get lost while pigeons are in flight, with television antennas and ulity wires being the main culprits.http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Pigeons/BRKPigeon.html
