DETROIT – What’s with the hostility toward pigeons?
Is it because they don’t have a fear of people? Is it their confidence in their position on the sidewalk where they put roots down like a tree and look pedestrians in the eye as if to say “No, you go around,” as you approach?
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I’ve seen more hostility directed toward pigeons than seagulls and they’re basically a crying baby on an airplane, but with wings and the ability to steal your french fries. They receive more anger than geese and those cobra-chickens can take down planes. The antagonism directed toward pigeons is bird-brained.
No one ever has anger at doves but guess what: they’re the same bird.
Pigeon describes a range of birds in the Columbidae family. What we call the common pigeon is actually called a rock dove. Native to Africa, the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East, the rock dove used to live on cliffs and mountains, far away from North America.
We brought them here. We chose to bring them here and they’ve thrived on the manufactured cliffs and mountains that shape our metropolises.
Related: The majestic and surprising unifying power of raccoons
Humanity domesticated the rock dove thousands of years ago, initially as a food source but later as a homing pigeon. People were using them to send messages between cities as early as 1000 BCE.
Modern militaries stopped using pigeons after World War II.
Pigeons were our friends and an important member of our society that we just let go of. Humanity decided to reduce the workforce and their position was chosen for the layoffs. No severance.
Like a phoenix from the ashes, pigeons survived. They thrived. They’ve taken to modern America like a duck to water. They’ve powered through their 1989 era and are full-on girlboss Reputation era. They didn’t need us. They’re happy as a lark.
Maybe our hostility toward pigeons is some form of shame for letting a go friend and seeing them thrive, an indirect acknowledgment that we were the problem. We were holding them back. They say the best revenge is a life well lived and they are living well, my friends.
More on Michigan’s wildlife, including bats, beavers, deer and more, can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website.
