Why Are There So Many Pigeons In Venice?
If you have visited Venice, you might have noticed that pigeons are more ubiquitous than its residents. These birds are literally everywhere, from monuments to sidewalks to city piazzas.
That might make you think, why are there so many pigeons in Venice? Pigeons are the unofficial mascots of Venice. The residents consider these birds sacred, so pigeons face no issues populating Venice.
There’s even a tradition of releasing pigeons from the balconies, and many like to feed them.
But how many pigeons are there in Venice? Also, what is the history of pigeons in Venice? You can learn more by sticking to the end.
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Why Are Pigeons Important to Venice?
Pigeons are important to Venice because they are considered the city’s unofficial mascot. In fact, residents of Venice respect these birds and take good care of them.
Most importantly, these birds have become quite accustomed to coexisting with the people of Venice. Feeding pigeons in the city is a popular activity. Also, the pigeons of Venice are the tamest birds in the city.
That makes tourists of Venice love these birds. And as the birds contribute to the increase of tourism in the city, they are considered a valuable asset of Venice.
Why Are Pigeons Attracted to Venice?
Pigeons are naturally attracted to Venice because of the city’s long history of taking good care of them. Over time, these birds have formed colonies throughout the entire city. And with the increase in tourism in Venice, the number of pigeons increased.
Likewise, the visitors to the city have become accustomed to these birds. And to pass their time, they started feeding pigeons. To be exact, many vendors in the square began selling pigeon feed. That made it easier for the visitors to feed the birds.
This tradition of feeding pigeons contributed to the increased number of pigeons. So, in short, as the place is welcoming and offers easy access to food, the birds do not need to think twice about being attracted to the city.
What Is the History of Pigeons in Venice?
The history of pigeons in Venice is intertwined with the city’s love of food and traditions. According to tradition, the first pigeons of the city were released on Palm Sunday. They were introduced to the city from the balcony of the basilica.
Since then, the locals have fed pigeons for many years. An insurance company took the job as an advertising gimmick in the 1950s. One employee would stew corn at St. Mark’s Square every day until the pigeons gathered for food.
That eventually became a major attraction in the city. And ultimately, visitors began to love the birds when tourism in Venice grew in the 19th and 20th centuries.
How Many Pigeons Live in Venice?
The exact number of pigeons living in the city is unknown. However, Venice estimates that there are about 40,000 pigeons every 2.5 square miles. About 1/3rd of the pigeons go through St. Mark’s Square at any time of the day.
However, according to local news, the city saw a tremendous increase in pigeons. That made the locals take the initiatives to lower the growth.
After all, when there are 40,000 pigeons every 2.5 square miles, the locals must deal with many droppings. To lower the population, the city created a regulation that fined people for feeding pigeons.
It can range from $80 to $775. The law is still obeyed by the residents and tourists.
Final Words
Are you still asking yourself why are there so many pigeons in Venice? To summarize, pigeons started to grow in numbers since they were first introduced in the city.
They attracted tourists, which is why these birds are considered unofficial mascots. So, the city did not consider eradicating the birds. In fact, even the locals started to respect the birds, which contributed to the growth.
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Article References:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14784143
- https://chefpepe.com/la-gondolas/
- https://www.denverpost.com/2006/09/12/venice-hates-pigeons-tourists-love-them/
- https://www.italymagazine.com/italy/veneto/venice-pigeon-population-falls
- https://www.ocregister.com/2008/05/18/no-more-pigeons-for-venice/
- https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/feed-the-pigeons-and-get-fined-in-venice/
