Why There Are So Many Pigeons In New York - NYC Revealed

[@SpencerHHO]

If you think pigeons can be a pain you should see the damage cockatoos can cause in Australia. They love to chew all the external wood on my house and even though pigeons aren't actually stupid, cockatoos are wicked smart. There is an infamous individual in a rural town in my state that goes around ripping up and destroying all the pigeon spikes. It's pretty funny and I'd never do them harm but they make pigeons seem mild in comparison.

[@PixelShade]

Hahaha, well, whatever animal documentary anyone make outside of Australia. Assies will ALWAYS have a worse version of the animal. xD I'm impressed how Assies survive with all the dangers you have. :)

[@theenzoferrari458]

Try spiders. You thunk them birds are bad.

[@nokiot9]

The cockatoo and magpie there are insane lol. Y’all have the craziest animals

[@makatron]

@@nokiot9 maggies are just gangsta birds.

[@NE_Pigeons]

I could only imagine! Cockatoos have some strong bills!

[@haveaseatmarj]

I respect them for the monogamous for life aspect. They know that loyalty in nyc is the only way to survive.

[@ilostmytableny4491]

Lmao, they mate with everything that moves, what monogamous lmao

[@Demonetization_Symbol]

Monogamy is a trap.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I had no idea there was no recorded case of disease transmission! I wanted to pet pigeons when I was little but my mother said no you’ll get sick. World upside-down, here!

[@xaiano794]

It's very hard for bird diseases to pass to mammals like people, it's very easy for diseases from mammals like rats and mice to pass to people. Obviously basic bacteria can cause stomach bugs, but washing your hands is more than enough to protect you completely.

[@shaunmckenzie5509]

Yes, there not as filthy as people think.

[@darktronics9901]

What about the bird flu

[@shaunmckenzie5509]

@@darktronics9901 sure, if you're living in an avery

[@Praisethesunson]

@@darktronics9901 The birds that cause bird flu are waterfowl. Think ducks, geese, swans, and such. Surprisingly not pigeons

[@admirallatex298]

It was really inspiring to see such a passionate man as Michael Scott the Pigeon Manager

[@truthaboveall7988]

I love that guy we just spent an hour chatting crypto & stocks again whenever I need a great convo I head to the pet store to c him in Bushwick

[@kaymish6178]

In grand theft auto IV there's an achievement for finding all the "Flying Rats" the pigeons. Liberty city is based on New York so a pigeon scavenger hunt seems to be on point, and some are really well hidden on ledges and down alleys.

[@SjoerdvanGestel]

Thats how I got introduced to the term 😅

[@hussainaltouq1638]

They’re called “rats” cuz they rat you out to the government.

[@ruintheday13]

Worth it… XD

[@Michaelengelmann]

Biased

[@sharkey086]

I forgot about this

[@PLuMUK54]

Queen Elizabeth has a loft of racing pigeons. Her pigeons have, over the years, won every major race in the UK. During the SWW the pigeons, then belonging to her father George VI, were used as carrier pigeons. In my city in England, there were so many pigeons in the graveyard surrounding the Cathedral, that it is now locally known as Pigeon Park.

[@theenzoferrari458]

What's SWW?

[@HeyItsEmilyLove]

England is my city

[@dynamitetobi]

0121

[@tompoessy]

@@theenzoferrari458 i assume second world war but its really unusual and weird to abbreviate it like that

[@jeanmarkd12345]

May her soul rest in peace 🕊️

[@ontoya1]

The pigeon lady is real and I've seen her before. Do not mess with her and our other random street level icons

[@mariellegrant6248]

I am a pigeon lady! I feed them everyday!if they are sick, it is because they have no other Choice than garbage as a meal. They are very nice birds!

[@ilostmytableny4491]

Feed them in your house and keep them as pets if you love them. Its easy to go outside and feed them, and other must clean the s*it they made

[@neznet]

The answer in one sentence: because pigeons are rock doves that prefer hard surfaces over trees

[@Praisethesunson]

People: You shit on my car! Pigeons: Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?

[@d.n.3652]

Every major city has pigeons. We have them in LA. But they’re not nearly as prevalent in LA, as they are in New York

[@perpetualgrimace]

"They don't pay rent and they fly" yeah no shit lady, they're birds 😅

[@Callimo]

Can you imagine charging these birbs rent? Lol

[@Praisethesunson]

@@Callimo Capitalist innovation will find a way

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

I think she meant pigeons are lucky to be able to survive without paying rent and fly. Not that she was stating the obvious. You have to take it in context. Not be so quick to belittle others.

[@perpetualgrimace]

@@user-gu9yq5sj7c most birds fly and none pay rent last time I checked, she was absolutely stating the obvious. But she thinks birds are cool and is enthusiastic, I get that. I think there is a difference between belittling someone and having a laugh at something silly someone said, I was doing the latter

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

I have a flock of 32 that have identified my balcony as their 'office'. They arrive at sunrise and depart just before sunset. One of them has great pigeonality and is splendid in every way. I bumped into him whilst I was in town once and thought - what the heck are you doing here? I am presuming he is a he because of his stature, and, when I see him after he hasn't popped by for a few days, I feel happy. Remember they are all God's messengers, right? No I do not belive in God but it is best to always be kind to pigeons just in case!

[@Praisethesunson]

The doves from the Bible are just pigeons with good marketing

[@chillvibed]

Find God while you still can. Good luck

[@andyc9902]

Please feed them ... Free Pets

[@arthurdurham]

Anyone who's driven in NYC knows pigeons don't give af. They'll ignore your car coming at them and any honking. You have to inch forward in a game of chicken until they'll eventually move once they're done doing what they're doing.

[@BshotPhotos]

Thats why I love them. I was sitting at the airport in Atlanta and watched them walk amongst people outside and theyd only fly away if danger was absolutely felt. I tell people theyd run before they would think to fly away 😂

[@Thoralmir]

The only thing that'll really get them moving is the silhouette of a falcon overhead.

[@mcfarofinha134]

That's the most New Yorker action a bird could do. "fuck yo car, I'm walkin here" levels lol

[@NicotineRosberg]

I hit 1 while driving my delivery truck couple weeks ago. I laughed and kept on driving

[@arthurdurham]

@@NicotineRosberg That's psychopathic

[@melasnexperience]

I'll take a thousand pigeons over a single seagull any day, cuz pigeons just ignore you unless you're giving them something. They don't dive bomb you to steal your lunch (or cuz they think your earrings are food).

[@miridium121]

Also, a pidgeon is Quiet. Sea gulls (especially black headed gulls) are Very loud 😑

[@growingup15]

I remember feeding Pigeons while I was in the Bahamas and they would just walk up to you with food in your hand and just look at you until you feed them. They were adorable and I petted a few.

[@theenzoferrari458]

Wait what? They look at you? Like do they tilt their head or Bob their head up and down?

[@ilostmytableny4491]

You lucky you didn't caught Meningitis, Salmonella or e.coli

[@socialfreak2]

​@ilostmytableny4491 watch causal geographic it explains more and you will probably change your mind about them being disease riddden

[@zqpcydbfoqbdiehdj]

They bring beauty and life to the sights. I love them ❤

[@DS-re4vs]

I wish they would have touched on the many different colors & patterns of them, they are like feral cats that way. Other wild animals tend to all look alike but in pigeons there is great variety.

[@SluttChops]

They are feral birds. They were domesticated ages ago and bred for different colors and patterns, just like cats and dogs. That's why they are so varied in appearance.

[@grandsome1]

Funny they call them pest, rats with wings, but the moment that one of them has albinism and is white they become symbols of peace, noble animal. 🤣

[@hypochondriac4491]

So just like rats, seeing how research rats tend to be albino?

[@DaphneTenne]

We have 3 white rescue pigeons - in our case they’re not albinos, they were bred to be white cause people use them for ceremonies but a lot of them get lost or injured so they need to be adopted 🥺

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

I think it's about the amount. Most people like cats but too many strays causes a nuisance too. There's some videos suggesting how to deter stray cats from damaging property. Mythbusters tested some. Look at the comments here. Lots of people like pigeons. Some people said they like the grey ones cause they have iridescent colorful necks. Some people and myself like all sorts of colors.

[@PetalBugABoop]

Given humans lost The Great Emu war in the 1930s...em yeah no, I don't think we would win a Pigeon war either. XD Best you can do is try to live along side them. (Yes I know a lot has changed and Emu's are far different then pigeons, but I still have a feeling we wouldn't win. These birds got around the world for a reason. If we did, there may also be unforseen consiquences.)

[@methanesulfonic]

atleast we know that crowd sourcing for these kind of job is better than crowd funding:)

[@alexnorth2452]

Difference is a kid with a bb gun can drop entire flocks of pigeons, wouldn't be hard at all to get rid of them

[@HayesPlaysAce]

The pigeon lady from Home Alone 2 is real haha. The child in me is satisfied knowing this

[@triadwarfare]

7:12 Ooh, I remember this in the video game Stray where an AC unit is full of this to indicate which platform you can't jump to. So this is supposed to be meant for birds, not just cats.

[@xThisThingHerex]

imagine we suddenly decided dogs were useless and forgot about them, then started calling them pests and disgusting. Thats what we did with pigeons. They are domesticated.

[@chanmarr8118]

I don’t mind them, just don’t want them pooping on me. Especially in the outer boroughs that have above ground train stations, they perch under the tracks. Some stations are bad with the birds and their constant pooping. I remember being around Grand Concourse and this guy barely dodged a huge load of crap 😭 He would’ve been covered all over his head and shoulders.

[@Thoralmir]

They should collect that crap now that Putin has cut off exports of fertilizer. Someone could make a good buck that way.

[@42luke93]

They are nice birds, too bad the feces can pile up if they stay in one spot for long term like an auning.

[@Chadmiral]

Lol

[@chesneypaterson6433]

Pigeon are amazing pets to keep. I started with a rescued baby and fell in love. I built a big loft and soon ended up being hooked on pigeon keeping when I was 12 years old. I'm 26 now and still love them even though I don't keep them anymore.

[@excelternow]

One lovely angel with wings for every New Yorker. Live and let birds live!❤🕊️

[@motherlandbot6837]

NYC's feral Pigeon population is now but a TINY fraction of what it was during my childhood visits in the 1950s, and even during my adolescent visits in the 1960s. As a child, I would be swarmed by dozens or hundreds of ferals when feeding them in any open area in the city. I spent many hours watching hundreds of Pigeons engaging in group exercise around the 42nd Street NY Public Library. How many Pigeons do you see there or in Bryant Park today? The few that still attempt to shelter in the library architecture are quickly evicted. Many fewer New Yorkers now keep domestic Pigeons, as well. Zoning regulations have made Pigeon keeping illegal in many areas were it was once commonplace, as have changing public attitudes.

[@douggoldwater1734]

NYC Parks Commissioner - "Damn you filthy pigeons" Pigeons - "We don't even think about you."

[@Dragonclone]

I blame the pigeon lady from Home Alone🤣 I love pigeons x

[@JOYBOYGOLDEN]

Respect for all Pigeons lover

[@aravinth97]

9:14 - Michael Scott reminds me of the Pigeon Man from Hey Arnold! That episode was a classic.

[@itastain]

Do you know that death theory about that episode? The theory posits that rather than flying off into the sunset with his beloved pigeons at the end of the episode, Pigeon Man committed suicide in front of Arnold, who remembered it differently to cope with the trauma.

[@aravinth97]

@@itastain Woah, I've never heard of that theory before. That's pretty dark! Thanks for sharing that with me. I'm curious if there are any other dark theories involving Hey Arnold! lore.

[@aravinth97]

@@itastain I just did some digging and apparently the show's creator, Craig Bartlett, specifically put the Pigeon Man in The Jungle Movie to put that theory to bed. I haven't watched The Jungle Movie yet, so I never knew the Pigeon Man reappeared.

[@tylerharry6319]

I didnt know I needed a documentary about NY pigeons, but I do now.

[@FerdinandCesarano]

I love pigeons. They're so cute and so smart.

[@Praisethesunson]

They also see at over 200 frames per second.

[@Thoralmir]

@@Praisethesunson Indeed. Their visual processing is 6x that of a human's. I'd be able to play first person shooter games at a competitive level with that kind of visual processing. It was for this and their trainability that they were being trained as primitive guidance systems for missiles in WWII. They'd be trained to peck at at sillouette pictures of Japanese warships, and would be mounted in a special cockpit in the nose of the missile, a tiny metal sensor glued onto their beaks that would tell the missile to adjust course depending on where the pigeon was pecking at. The war ended before the program could be implemented, and by the next war we had electronic guidance systems, but the pigeons were estimated to have a 95% success rate had they been deployed, based on the training tests.

[@Chadmiral]

@@Thoralmir Holy shit,talk about innovative lol,that's pretty neat!

[@jquas1965]

Me too.

[@IlaFox]

I love pigeons! They have definitely become my favorite animal (sorry, cats!). I currently have 5 pigeons that I rescued and could not be released because they had some disability. If people knew how docile and fun they are, there would be a lack of pigeons on the streets for so many people! 😁

[@ilostmytableny4491]

watch out for meningitis, salmonella and e.coli though, they are called rats for a reason

[@IlaFox]

@@ilostmytableny4491 🤣🤏

[@IlaFox]

​@@ilostmytableny4491 Watch out for influenza, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, norovirus, staphylococcus and streptococcal infections, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, rubeola, COVID... All human diseases. So... 🤷‍♀

[@IlaFox]

@@ilostmytableny4491 by the way, meningitis (through the feces of ANY bird) is rare, it is extremely easier for you to catch viral meningitis from another human being. ☠

[@Luvmykindle]

They make great pets!

[@am_that_guy]

Michael Scott, Soldier Boy, mother of pigeons... I feel like I'm watching a crossover of different shows😂😂😂

[@starcrystal5551]

I fed them when I was working & living there; after I had to change jobs & essentially move away, I couldn't cont by myself with no help. I used to bring sick/injured birds to the Wild Bird Fund on Amsterdam Ave & 81st; they're very helpful for All NYC Wildlife

[@OkieBadu]

Everybody knows that Mike Tyson is the reason there's so many pigeons in New York City

[@ChairmanMeow1]

Pigeons are cool and I dont care what anyone says . They're smart and I swear they have distinct personalities.

[@lorenzorapalo4023]

👍❤

[@fiona12451]

Totally agree..they each have their own personality...arguably better ones than alot of humans I love pigeons 💖💖💖 It's their planet too 🌹🌹🌹

[@stonedpigeon]

Pigeons are the most amazing bird there is, in every way possible ❤️

[@lorenzorapalo4023]

Agreed.

[@tricksonafixed]

How ironic calling a bird useless while being a human who consumes commodities and helps destroy the fucking planet. A little introspection for ya, lady!

[@NuttyNeil76]

Yep!

[@Thindorama]

But she’s human. Why would she care if we are useful to something else out there? Plus, there’s nothing other than us that cares about anything anyway (until and unless we find extraterrestrial human equivalents).

[@FirstDagger]

All life is useless. Every part of life is opportunistic.

[@NuttyNeil76]

@@FirstDagger would have to say I disagree, that's a very neoliberal way of looking at nature.

[@lovelydolltime8006]

Humans are the most invasive species on the planet, change my mind.

[@daveotuwa5596]

There are always pigeons in my backyard. Whenever my dad sees them, he stomps to scare them away. Abominable to him are pigeons. He had a device that keeps birds out at night.

[@nightwing4065]

"Rats of the sky?!" That's tough. 😅

[@fr2ncm9]

But true.

[@agustindejesus7398]

Nigh, it means there are also too many rats in the city. We dont mind the pigeons but the rats....nasty rodent.

[@mcfarofinha134]

Yeah. I'm fine with the pigeons, but fuck them rats. At least the birds have the common decency to not barge in your apartment unless by accident

[@Howlingburd19]

The shortest answer… Feral pigeons are very adaptive and can live perfectly in urban areas. Pigeon intelligence is also under-acknowledged :/

[@keyannadoherty5511]

Thank you so much for this epic video💯💯🔥🔥🔥!!! I have been SCOURING the internet in search of a video/article that could quench all my pigeon queries. So grateful that I have finally found what I was looking for! 😁😊💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🥶🥶

[@janice8523]

They are not pests or vectors of disease….they are birds…their poop can be annoying…but they are animals and are sentient beings, that share our space in this world🤎🖤

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

I was told they are flying rats of the city. 30 SECONDS into the video I was reconfirmed.

[@cheddar]

That's just science

[@mom5catskyle596]

They're good to eat. Very tasty.

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

@@cheddar lol, the rats would like to disagree. They are filing petition in the up coming Animal UN meeting.

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

@@mom5catskyle596 Aren’t they too skinny.

[@levihalperin7649]

@@Thebreakdownshow1 some are super fat

[@kobejete2796]

I remember when pigeons used to fly away when I approached them. Now they just dont give a damn.

[@Chiqui_The_Rich_Pigeon]

Awww 🥹 I just adore them! They are so sweet! 🤗 we always had pigeons in my family, show pigeons, messenger pigeons, 😊I have one, his my baby. My baby Ernesto

[@eleven2611]

In Bangladesh we just eat them 🤪 . They taste really good 👍

[@imkirbo3094]

As a Brit, it's strange to see someone going on about pigeons so much. They're everywhere for us, they just exist with us

[@sonicbobomb15]

I like to drink tea. I'm from Battle Creek Michigan.

[@raynatsimitakopoulos128]

Spikes aren't that useful because they go out side ways so the pigeons make nests in the middle😅

[@LizziesLukas]

that pigeon lady got some awesome fashion sense

[@Callimo]

I love pigeons. They do get a lil food aggressive when you got those good chips, but they're cool. :3

[@twaynemalcolm8448]

Awesome video as always 😊

[@Otter-Destruction]

lmfao those Pigeon graphics were absolutely the best

[@ptseti]

how can anyone hate pigeons? No seriously. They are the most graceful birds and delicious as well

[@StoneInMySandal]

The Pigeon Lady speaks better than 90% of the people in the US.

[@eddie72bx99]

That man doesn’t do it for money now that is a passion he really loves his hobby 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@payyourselffirst5786]

I wish there were more pigeons in other areas. They are so nice. Please leave them alone.

[@gonzalovives3271]

Min 2:56 the chincha islands war had nothing to do with pidgeons… that guano is mostly made by local species like the Peruvian boobies and the Peruvian cormorant…. A war on pidgeon poop sounds interesting but not real sorry

[@Nb-ll8kp]

0:48 "they're the rats of the sky" 😂😂😂

[@GENIUSA1A]

As someone who is afraid of birds, I hate piegons

[@ninjashogun]

Pigeons are the toyotas of the bird world

[@JVR10893]

I could never picture New York without pigeons. And they’re not really hurting anybody so who cares?

[@grovestreetmember2648]

good birds

[@gregorypirog6134]

Thank You, well done... Saw my first Hawk for the season, here in Ft. Hamilton, Brooklyn on Sat. Sept. 03, 2022. We just had 4 months of calm, no Hawks. There are more Hawks per acre in N.Y.C. than anywhere in the U.S.A. Why. Because there are more Pigeons. Pigeons like everyone including young children who kick at them; it's Hawks that they fear. The Will to Live, The Force, it is strong in these little ones. Street Pigeons will perch the roof of a corner building, the two 90 degree ledges, half facing forward, half facing backward. They are effectively, efficiently providing 360 degrees of Early Warning Hawk Coverage while also digesting their crop. Multitasking. I have watched for 3 to 4 hours and the Hawks have not caught one. Always reminds me of the Battle of Brittain. They're little Troopers. God Bless Them. gregory/ The Pigeon Meister

[@sophiamerecedis8339]

ill only visit nyc for the pigeons lol

[@gregoryferraro7379]

We don't have many pigeons in Denver metro. I'll see them in small numbers downtown with the skyscrapers, but very rarely in the burbs. Probably because without tall cliff-like buildings, they have no habitat. Interesting though that they haven't spread to *natural* cliffs nearby in the wild. Their natural habitat now seems to be cities.

[@12HappyDonuts]

Maybe there's not enough vomit on the streets for them to feed on.

[@gregoryferraro7379]

@@12HappyDonuts there should be more than enough street vomit in the LoDo neighborhood to sustain a big flock.

[@ontoya1]

@@12HappyDonuts bro where do you live that there's vomit on the floor everywhere cuz I'm a New York City native and I'm here to say that that's not necessarily the problem lol...

[@12HappyDonuts]

@@ontoya1 That’s because the pigeons keep the streets clean.

[@ontoya1]

@@12HappyDonuts Big facts, I have actually seen them eat vomit as well

[@MrStringybark]

"Why There Are So Many Pigeons In New York". They've got to s**t somewhere!

[@Brandonhayhew]

Pigeon are as important as horse or dogs

[@BeantownMrs]

When I see pigeons sitting on a statue I think of Goodfeathers from Animaniacs.😂

[@aaronhow3932]

Speaking of typical New Yorkers you could tell that one guy was a jaded New Yorker answering a question about pigeons with a question of his own. That is a bit frustrating but anyways otherwise great vid! 😀

[@grozaphy]

r/birdsarentreal is going to enjoy this

[@FinancialShinanigan]

All those pigeons are used by The Bowery King as his own information highway

[@TheShift_OfEnergy]

I got a group of wild pigeons coming to eat many times a day in my balcony. I keep balcony doors open n i we always have breakfast together😂❤ they r big like chickens😂

[@defeatSpace]

Don't let that lady fool you, pigeons can become violent lol

[@xaiano794]

Pigeons are amazing

[@dreamlifter2701]

“Pigeons are rats with wings” Seagulls: Am I a joke to you!

[@paulsawczyc5019]

No animal is safe from the ego centric malice of humans.

[@mers624]

I love pigeons soooo cute 🥰

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

We have a ton of them in London too!

[@B.D.F.]

An entire episode on pigeons and not a single mention of how humans ate the Passenger Pigeon to extinction? Is Cheddar the new TLC?

[@alexcholagh8330]

doves and pigeons are called squabs. and maybe people eat them

[@ScottGerke]

Our pigeons nest all over those "very effective spikes"

[@kellyberdan141]

Awesome video

[@truelove8345]

most people don't know it.. but pigeons are actually angels from heaven. watching us and waiting for us to evolve into people without hate or war.. if we finally get our things together and live all in peace they will reward us!. if you ever be mean to a pigeon you will rot in hell for all eternity.. so better think twice

[@fr2ncm9]

I think people would feel differently if we had 8 million wild dogs roaming the city.

[@agustindejesus7398]

Mik, the orientals will eat them too.

[@HaightTheGreat]

What a fun and interesting story.

[@vylbird8014]

Yes, the pigeon mess on your head is good luck. For the pigeon, not for you.

[@Callimo]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Grim_Reaper0]

9:35 hey look its that guys from the office :D

[@shohaiku]

Just gotta point out the Jordan 4 university blue @ 7:56 😍😍

[@CharliMorganMusic]

Pigeons and New Yorkers are interchangeable.

[@vylbird8014]

Without the pigeons, what would the peregrines eat?

[@matthewhaverkamp8657]

It's no coincidence NY has more Peregrine Falcons than any other city. They love pigeons.

[@david.mihaljcic]

Pizza Rat is the mascott.

[@intermodus2180]

Pretty Bird🐦😍

[@Michaelengelmann]

When he said “so why did they take to the city and not….” Was dumb af and a no brainer. Infinite food source & no predators

[@GhoodVibez]

The pigeon lady from home alone 2!!!

[@MellonVegan]

"Rats of the sky" is an expression that should never have left that city.

[@philipwilliams4388]

Feed the homeless, pigeon is good.

[@ycplum7062]

"There are 8 million pigeons in the Naked City. This story is one of them." LOL

[@normanmaina7091]

I love pigeons. When I'm with them I feel Peace

[@norman5284]

they are obviously surveillance drones.

[@GrimmDelightsDice]

Columba Livia is actually the correct scientific name, Columbidae refers to the whole family of columbiformes, including those outside of the Columba complex!