It's likely that the pigeon, going back thousands of years, was the first domesticated bird, having proximity to man and an instinct for man-made structures as a substitute for its natural home bred into it. The truly wild rock pigeon, to which these domestic pigeons owed their ancestry, makes its home on ledges in coastal and other caves and forages for seeds for its diet. There remains evidence in caves in parts of the UK of man's early involvement with these birds, tempting them to nest so their young could be taken for food. The Romans and later the Normans were very practised pigeon keepers, and  extended this to Britain following their invasions. Over the centuries, pigeons have served various purposes. The young (squabs) and eggs were valued as food, and droppings made excellent fertiliser. We all know of the pastime of pigeon racing, and pigeons have served man well as message carriers, in time of war and for more peaceful purposes.

Today, most 'pigeon houses' have fallen into disuse, their occupiers long dispersed, but their descendants ~ numbers swelled by offspring of strayed racers ~ still live amongst us. These feral or 'street' pigeons find nest sites which are reminiscent of their ancestors' caves ~ ledges under bridges, ventilation holes, roof overhangs, sheltered balconies, etc. ~ with the roar of traffic replacing that of stormy seas. If they know a source of grain exists to which they can 'commute', they will, otherwise diet must needs be weed & grass seed, scraps, and whatever handouts may be offered by humans.

It is not the pigeons' choice to be here and although some (probably fortunate) ferals revert to a cliff-dwelling lifestyle, most do not, and life for a city pigeon is rarely as easy at it may look! Studies carried out in Europe suggest adult mortality may be up to a third of the population per annum; in cold northern climates, 20% may die in a single winter. It was estimated that the life expectancy of a feral pigeon is most often under two years, whereas homing and 'captive' pigeons may pass twenty!

How attitudes towards these birds have changed! The gentle, intelligent, and oft-times noble, pigeon is now treated almost as a 'non-bird' ~ denigrated, frequently persecuted, and in places (including the US) sadistically tormented and slaughtered in the name of sport.

Yes, pigeons en masse can make a mess, as can congregations of gulls or starlings. Yet, compare the impact of the birds on our environment with that of man on the larger environment, our planet, or the damage and destruction we have wreaked upon the natural habitats of so many creatures. Man, in a sense the 'creator' of the feral pigeon, turns his back on the creature which served him so well throughout history and calls it 'pest'. So typical of the 'pinnacle of creation' to interfere with nature, then complain when, in a sense, nature gets her own back!

Take a look at those 'pestilent pigeons' sometime ~ their powerful flight with near-perfect vertical takeoff and landing; the ardent cooing, bowing, fan-tailed display of courtship; the shimmering green-turquoise-wine red of neck feathers; the multitude of plumage patterns and colors. Perhaps with pigeons, as with people, we can try to appreciate them for what they are, and forgive them what they may do.