Pigeons

Summary

The author describes the daily feeding of pigeons in their neighborhood, reflecting on the birds' comical and inefficient flight, despite being a common sight at two particular homes known for feeding them.

Abstract

In the author's neighborhood, two houses have become hubs for pigeons due to daily feedings, with one house scattering food on the ground and the other providing an elaborate feeder. The pigeons, described as "clowns of the air," exhibit a chaotic takeoff that contrasts sharply with the graceful flight of other birds like sea gulls, pelicans, ospreys, and crows. Despite their noisy and clumsy flight, the pigeons manage to navigate between the houses for food. The author notes the lack of recognition from the pigeons despite frequent encounters and expresses amusement at their predictable reaction to his presence.

Opinions

The author finds humor in the pigeons' frantic and noisy takeoff, likening it to the sound of gunfire.
Pigeons are portrayed as inelegant and inefficient fliers compared to other birds the author observes.
The author is impressed that pigeons, with their small wings and bulky bodies, can fly at all.
There is a sense of resigned acceptance as the author smiles and shakes their head at the pigeons' consistent failure to recognize them.
The author seems to have a fondness for the pigeons, despite their comical behavior and the lack of familiarity after years of interaction.

Clowns of the Air

Image by Author

Pigeons strain and flap their mostly inefficient airborne miracles

In my neighborhood there are two houses that feed pigeons on a daily basis. The one house scatters whatever pigeons love to eat on the ground, the other family has constructed an elaborate feeder for them.

The pigeons, of course, know about these two houses and come morning feeding time they fly en masse (and it’s a huge en masse) between the houses to break their communal fast.

Pigeons, too, are chicken. At least these are. If you come within ten feet of them, they take off, and it’s the taking off that’s spectacular; not smoothly spectacular or nicely spectacular, but scramble-flap-scramble spectacular.

Pigeons are not good fliers. I see good fliers during my walks: sea gulls, pelicans, ospreys, even crows are elegant air creatures compared to pigeons. I am actually amazed that these fat birds with under-sized wings manage the airborne trick at all.

You cannot hear an osprey fly (or glide, which is what they mostly do); neither can you hear the sea gulls. But when the pigeons take off, it’s like a enfilade of not particularly light-gauge rifles going off, all in a second or two. You’re inclined to duck — unless, like me, you’re used to this by now.

You would think that after five years they would recognize me by now, but no such luck. I’m a threatening stranger every time I approach, and off they go — a confusing cloud of altitude scramble.

I shake my head and smile

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