From Messengers to Urban Icons

On the morning of June 12th, 1944, a courageous pigeon named Paddy embarked on an extraordinary 368-kilometer journey. Evading Nazi falcons and battling through stormy weather, Paddy maintained an average speed of 79 kilometers per hour for nearly five consecutive hours.

Paddy's mission was to carry the first news of the D-Day invasion back to England, a feat that earned him a gallantry medal. During World War II, around 250,000 pigeons like Paddy were employed by the British as messengers, swiftly transporting secret messages in critical times.

Pigeon delivery systems, however, are not a recent invention. Humans have been captivated by these birds for millennia. Initially valued as a source of protein-rich meat and their nitrogen-rich droppings used as fertilizer, pigeons were domesticated as early as 10,000 years ago.

Over time, we discovered other remarkable traits possessed by pigeons. Their natural swiftness and strong homing instincts enabled them to navigate vast distances and find their way back to their perceived "home" location. Thus, we began developing pigeon posts and selectively breeding and training them for racing. In the fascinating hobby of "pigeon fancying," individuals focused on traits like head plumage and beautifully feathered feet. As pigeons accompanied humans in their travels around the world, some escaped or were intentionally released, giving rise to the urban flocks we now encounter. Pigeons have become one of the most abundant and widespread species on Earth, adapting remarkably well to the bustling environments of cities. Their success can be attributed to a unique combination of characteristics, some of which were accentuated through human influence.

Unlike birds that nest on the ground or in trees, pigeons were originally cliff-dwellers. The towering structures of cities mimic their natural habitat, offering countless nooks and ledges where they can build their nests. Pigeons, famously undemanding in terms of homemaking, can transform any window ledge or highway overpass into a suitable spot to raise their offspring. This adaptability allows them to thrive in environments that are unsuitable for more specialized species. As opportunistic generalists, pigeons capitalize on urban food waste. With a specialized organ in their throats called a crop, they can consume large quantities of food when available and store some for later consumption. Instead of fetching live food for their young, they provide them with "crop milk," a nutrient-rich substance produced in their crop. This efficient feeding method facilitates rapid growth in pigeon chicks. Moreover, the abundance of food and shelter in cities leads to higher breeding rates, with pigeons capable of producing new offspring every six weeks.

The booming pigeon populations in cities inevitably attract predators. For instance, New York City is home to a million pigeons, providing sustenance for large populations of raptors. However, pigeons possess exceptional flying abilities, further enhanced through selective breeding for racing. Compared to similarly sized barn owls, pigeon wing bones are thicker and more curved, accommodating more muscle mass and enabling them to reach speeds of up to 125 kilometers per hour. Additionally, their tendency to form large flocks ensures safety in numbers and increased vigilance against potential threats.

While pigeons have become prominent figures in urban wildlife, our coexistence is not always harmonious. In 1966, New York's parks commissioner coined the term "rats with wings" to describe pigeons, a moniker that has stuck over the years. Undeniably, their droppings, once prized as fertilizer, pose a unique challenge. A single pigeon can leave behind 11 kilograms of acidic excrement per year, resulting in approximately $1.1 billion in structural damage annually in the United States alone. Although the risk of infection from pigeon droppings is rare, they can harbor fungi that pose health hazards when inhaled.

Despite our sometimes ambivalent relationship with them, the pigeons swirling around us are a testament to an enduring bond forged over centuries. Their rise to global prominence has been a collaborative endeavor, driven by human fascination and unintentional actions. Whether for better or worse, we have played a significant role in shaping the trajectory of these remarkable birds.

Henrik Leandro