Dinosaurs killed by pigeons?

Well no, not really, but a study by a team of U.S. and Australian researchers has shown that T.rex’s relatives suffered from the potentially life-threatening disease trichomonosis, which is still carried by pigeons today.

Some of the world’s most famous T.rex specimens have holes in the lower jaw, which is a classic symptom of trichomonosis and they occur in exactly the same place as in modern birds with trichomonosis.

Trichomonosis is carried mainly by pigeons these days, but they are generally immune to the disease. Birds of prey are particularly susceptible to trichomonosis if they eat infected pigeons, and I wonder if that is why pigeon pie is no longer a fashionable menu item, except perhaps in Hector Blumenthal’s kitchens?