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Sorry, I couldn't think of a title for this thread, it's not as bad as it sounds.
But in many major cities, I've seen something weird happening. From time to time, I'll see an old, scruffy-looking man (not sure if homeless or what) holding a pigeon and performing some sort of "procedure" on it. The pigeon isn't struggling, and there isn't anything visibly disturbing going on, but they're doing SOMETHING to the pigeon, usually concentrating on the feet. Yesterday I saw a man with a pigeon at the corner and he looked like he was either cutting the pigeon's nails, or cutting something off its feet. I've seen stuff like this more than once.
Good Samaritan, or sadistic weirdo trying to torture a poor bird?
Sorry, I couldn't think of a title for this thread, it's not as bad as it sounds.
But in many major cities, I've seen something weird happening. From time to time, I'll see an old, scruffy-looking man (not sure if homeless or what) holding a pigeon and performing some sort of "procedure" on it. The pigeon isn't struggling, and there isn't anything visibly disturbing going on, but they're doing SOMETHING to the pigeon, usually concentrating on the feet. Yesterday I saw a man with a pigeon at the corner and he looked like he was either cutting the pigeon's nails, or cutting something off its feet. I've seen stuff like this more than once.
Good Samaritan, or sadistic weirdo trying to torture a poor bird?
I don't think they are torturing the the birds, but what I've noticed is that elderly ppl often have a special relationship with pigeons in this city, they feed them during the winter and they become tame and they are able to hold and pet them in their arms. This one elderly lady in my building sticks bread slices in the snow for them altough it's prohibited due to rat infestations. Many elderly ppl are alone and these birds which many call "flying rats" are their children and a reason to live and wake up every morning. But to answer your original question I haven't seen anyone performing any "procedure" on them. I hope a poster who is knowledgable in the sience of ornitology will chime in...
There are a couple spots in my neighborhood where I see bread left out for pigeons almost every day, and I could never figure out who would do that. Is it really old people who are just lonely? That is heartbreaking.
There are a couple spots in my neighborhood where I see bread left out for pigeons almost every day, and I could never figure out who would do that. Is it really old people who are just lonely? That is heartbreaking.
I know of a middle-aged man who even when he was younger like to leave bread crumbs on his window sill for pigeons and it had nothing to do with loneliness. He just thought he was being kind to the birds.
They're probably putting little messages between their toes and the pigeons are carrying notes of eternal love to the lady that they lost to an arranged marriage or war and now since her husband died and made her a widow, he is trying to rekindle the flame that swept them up that summers eve, long ago when love was simple, true, and pure.
I don't think they are torturing the the birds, but what I've noticed is that elderly ppl often have a special relationship with pigeons in this city, they feed them during the winter and they become tame and they are able to hold and pet them in their arms. This one elderly lady in my building sticks bread slices in the snow for them altough it's prohibited due to rat infestations. Many elderly ppl are alone and these birds which many call "flying rats" are their children and a reason to live and wake up every morning. But to answer your original question I haven't seen anyone performing any "procedure" on them. I hope a poster who is knowledgable in the sience of ornitology will chime in...
I agree and have seen it as well. It's an abundant type of bird and perhaps gives them a feeling of taking care of other living things. Go to any park during the day and you will see them feeding them.
Though i love animals as well, Pigeons tend to be quite dirty.
Raising pigeons in a rooftop tenement coop, like bocce and playing the numbers, is a dying form of recreation and relaxation for urban old men everywhere.
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Probably...?
