Whether you feed the pigeons, detest them, or just find them to be a fascinating bird, join us for a live chat TODAY, August 28th @ 4PM ET within the comment field of this article. If you can't make the chat, leave a question now. (It's recommended you bookmark the chat to easily find it.)
Learn more about this book throughout August in the Bright Ideas from Bestselling Authors group on Gather. Click here to join.
Click here to buy the book.
You could be a points winner for joining the chat. One member who submits a question between 4-5PM ET on August 28th will be selected to receive 300 Gather points for participating.
You will need to periodically REFRESH your browser to see new comments during the live chat.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 102
The book was a great read, and I am definitely looking at them with a slightly different eye. Hope to have my review done by the end of the week (eyeing all my other deadlines as well). Unfortunately, I'm at work during the chat time (being on the west coast), so I'll try to think of some questions to ask beforehand.
We have a pair of pigeons that originally nested in our attic (we closed up their entry one day while they were out and about). Now they live under the eaves of the home next door. They make a mess, but it's lovely to hear them coo and see them cuddle and watch their individualistic lives from my porch next door.
Wonderful reading, stays fresh, which many do not!
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=128483&articleId=281474977423108&nav=MyGather
I want to know if the author plans on continuing her research into pigeons now that the book is over- is it an ongoing process, or is she going to study another animal next?
Is the pigeon native to the U.S., or can the species be found in other countries?
Do you think the perspective we have on pigeons today as urban pests will someday change?
Will pigeons become useful to humanity again in the future?
I have finished the book and I enjoyed it very much. I have always had a love for pigeons even as a child
All told I put about 4 years into researching and then writing the book, but it was while I was doing other work as well.
That's a fascinating question, and I haven't thought much about whether pigeons will be useful again. There's an artist in California who has a project using pigeons to measure air quality -- perhaps that could catch on?
Has your opinion of pigeons changed as a result of your research?
Honestly I did not begin this process with an admiration for pigeons, it was more like an intellectual interest. But I really do like them now, and I appreciate them much more after learning so much about them.
I have heard of people trying to poison them because they poop on everything. However I know many old timers who do still eat them.
I've observed a lot of pigeons with mangled feet. So many I see throughout the city have toes missing! Is it common for pigeons to have some sort of genetic defect? Or do they lose them in accidents?
That would be sad if you ate your own pigeons! Oddly, I've heard similar stories from other people. I guess that's what you get when you have such an edible pet!
I don't know if my opinion about them changed exactly -- I never disliked pigeons. It's more like I appreciate and notice them much more now.
Yes, I see pigeons with mangled feet all the time. Some of it certainly could be genetic, but I think often it's probably an injury. Pigeons can sometimes get their feet caught in string or something like that and eventually lose a toe or two.
They do sound so nice when they coo
Yes part of the difference in opinion is that when pigeons are used for food they're considered domesticated animals so they belong to us. Whereas people don't see the ones on the street as being useful, so they're considered a nuisance if they hang around us.
As far as fancy pigeon breeds, I really like the Capuchine, which I included a photo of in the book. So elegant! There are others, like the Fantails, which I just find kind of sad because they are so distorted.
Are you an animal lover?
I have never seen an estimate of the worldwide pigeon population but I would love to! It must be incredibly difficult to estimate. No, I wouldn't expect pigeons to outnumber people but I'd expect them to outnumber lots of other bird species.
Yes I'm researching a new book but it's so new I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet! But I'll just say that it's a medical topic so it's a departure from pigeons.
It depends on if you mean putting street pigeons "to work" for us, like the environmental monitoring, or if you mean using pigeons as domesticated animals again. I heard from someone recently who is involved in the localvore movement and is interested in setting up a dovecote of his own. Pigeons used to be a very practical way to have meat available in one's own backyard, and I could see that catching on again.
Yes I would probably consider myself an animal lover in that I've always had a lot of empathy for animals.
I've never kept a pet pigeon but the people I've talked to say they are a great bird to keep as a hobby or a pet. Very gentle but pretty interactive for such a small-brained bird!
I have read and really enjoyed your book Superdove. I have a love for pigeons and always have. I will be doing my revew of your book probably tomorrow. My husband is reading it now as well
Since you've written this book, have you heard of any interesting or bizarre pigeon encounters from your readers?
Pigeons do like to pick a home and return to it. So they can be territorial with each other over nests. But that's also part of the reason why domestic pigeons can be set free and will keep returning.
They do have a very delicate flavor
(Curious because I work as a biologist for a goverment agency, but have always liked writing about the critters I get to see for others)
I was in the MIT program when I came up with the idea for this book. Before then, I had mostly written about medicine and biology, working at Harvard Medical School and writing for different publications. I am not a scientist myself by training, however.
Courtney, thank you for sharing your expertise and sharing so much fascinating information on pigeons. Best of luck to you on your next research venture.
I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of Superdove. Thanks to everyone who joined us today. Have a great afternoon and holiday weekend!