PRT

Ahh the pigeon, humblest of birds. What is a blog entitled Pigeons are Trouble without a post about the pigeon? Pictured above is a rock pigeon, which is your common street pigeon. They are part of the family Columbidae along with doves - which are basically smaller pigeons, as a matter of fact, pigeons were called rock doves until their official names were changed in 2004 by the British and American ornithologist union. Lets take a look at how these little birds affect our lives shall we?

Habitat - In nature pigeons are found in cliffs on the coast, in the city pigeons live anywhere they want. They can be found predominantly in any area with a large population and close knit buildings. You can often see them on the streets scavenging for food that people drop or intentionally give to them, although this is now illegal in many cities. We live in the city of San Francisco, so naturally we have had many encounters with these critters. Sometimes I enjoy watching pigeons bob their heads and waddle along pecking the floor furiously for food, that is until they decide to make something I own, something I touch, or even me into a receptacle for their excrement. Oh that and the disease thing.

Food - As in food for humans. It's amazing what a little salt, pepper, and time in the oven will do for pigeons. Tasting of chicken while slightly tougher than chicken meat, Squab is used a lot in Asian and British cuisine. But don't go out there and catch any random pigeon and pop it in the oven, squabs used for food are farm raised - just like chicken!

Popular Culture -

• Symbolism - White doves are usually shown as a symbol of peace. ie : in politics- doves and hawks. Doves are also used in religion to convey peace.



• Homing Pigeons - Some rock pigeons are bred for their abilities to find their way back to their homes over long distances sometimes they are used to carry messages. Imagine having to use pigeons instead of emails!




• Pokemon - In the popular cartoon/video game series, there are 3 pokemon based on the pigeon. Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot. This lineage of pokemon is not particularly powerful in the video game, but in the cartoon the main character Ash used to own a Pidgeotto.



• Nike - Nike release 150 pairs of a skateboarding shoe called the Nike Dunk SB Pigeon. Retail price was $250, but now they are worth well over that amount.

As you can see pigeons rarely cause trouble, unless they poop on you so I guess what im trying to say is.. our blog poops on you! kthxbai.