"Is there something I would figuratively die on a hill for? Yes, there is and as it happens, I'm sitting on a literal hill right now, feeding them. Pigeons. Why pigeons? Because it's about time they get the respect they deserve. I like pigeons. Because they're like me, working class. You can tell pigeons are working class because every pigeon looks knackered. It's about this point in the conversation that people politely make their excuses and slowly back away (literally) while avoiding eye contact."
"But aren't you just a bit curious why, out of all the birds, pigeons are the most tolerant of humans? It's certainly not mutual. No other bird faces so much hostility from us. Spikes, netting, do not feed signs all things we inflict on a bird whose greatest crime is exhibiting an impressive lack of shame when it comes to scrounging our leftovers."
"But we're the tolerant ones, I hear you cry. Who told them they could live alongside us so brazenly? You're going to want to sit down for this M Night Shyamalan-esque plot twist. We did. The year is 4,500BC. As our ancestors trade the nomadic hunter-gatherer life for farming, they have the bright idea to take the pigeon's ancestor, the Columba livia, from the cliffs they live on and build them little pigeon houses so that they could breed them for food."
Pigeons receive widespread hostility despite their tolerance and proximity to humans. Urban measures like spikes, netting, and do-not-feed signs target pigeons that scavenge leftovers. Pigeons evoke a working-class image through their persistent, weary appearance and brazen behavior. Humans domesticated the pigeon ancestor Columba livia around 4,500 BC to breed for food and subsequently discovered pigeons' exceptional homing skills. Pigeons can navigate long distances, demonstrating resilience and utility alongside humans. The historical relationship blends practical use, human tolerance, and persistent cultural disdain toward a remarkably adaptable bird.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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