I had never seen a pigeon up close before so I picked it up.
What did it feel like to touch it? What did it feel like when you realised it was dead?
I wasn't shocked and I felt like it was a pheasant.
While it's okay to be curious, it isn't a good idea to pick up dead things since they can harbor infectious disease. It's best to leave dead things alone.
Don't worry, I made sure to wash my hand.
Even just picking it up the first time is dangerous. You don't know what has happened to the carcass at all. It is better to leave it alone altogether.