Reconsidering The Pigeon

First introduced to North America in the early 1600’s, The New York Pigeon, also known as the Rock Pigeon or Rock Dove, is easily the most recognizable, yet underappreciated, of New York City’s wildlife.

Beyond being ignored, the humble pigeon is often chased off, particularly when some other, more desirable bird comes about, like the sparrow or the wren.

"Get out of here you filthy pigeons", people say. "Those crumbs are for the robins."

Even the grey squirrel, with its chattering and rodent-like appearance gets more respect than the pigeon.

When you consider it, aside from the poop, pigeons are a whole lot better than most critters of the city. Less intrusive than rats, less  creepy than bed bugs, and friendlier than feral cats, Pigeons have carried our messages, graced our dinner plates (squab), and gobbled up our stale bread for centuries.

Despite this, humans haven’t really shown that much respect for these mighty street birds. We let our dogs and cats chase them, and our kids spray them with hoses, or shoot them with BB guns, depending upon what state you're from.  

I've even heard more than a few folks call pigeons “rats with wings” while recoiling in horror if one gets too close.

Most people forget all the good things pigeons do, like scare away mice and make peaceful cooing noises. Pigeons also eat all those slimy worms and slugs that always seem to appear on the sidewalk after a rainstorm. Plus they eat spiders, termites, and all kinds of other scary  bugs. 

I bet if they ate bed bugs, more New Yorkers would like them.

Here’s to the pigeon, the Bud Light of birds.