Why Are There So Many Pigeons in NYC?
The greatest city on earth, full of people and activities, sheltering millions of pigeons as well might seem unnatural. But there are actually very good reasons for that.
Most first-time visitors wonder and ask why there are so many pigeons in NYC! The reason is the city itself.
Pigeons love to view the world from above, and the tall, rising urban landscape of NYC provides pigeons with numerous sheltering options, including building ledges, bridges, and other structures.
Also, there is an abundance of food sources for these pigeons in the city. Many New Yorkers loathe these pigeons and call them ‘rats with wings’ while many absolutely adore them.
Keep reading this article to learn about the abundance of pigeons in NYC.
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What Makes New York City an Attractive Location for Pigeons?
There are quite a few factors that made this city suitable for pigeons to thrive. Let’s take a look at those.
Availability of Shelter and Nesting Sites
New York is a city full of tall skyscrapers and towers. Also, as the city is heavily populated, there are plenty of residential and office buildings everywhere.
The city’s architectural style provides numerous sheltering options for this huge number of pigeons. Pigeons use the ledges and rooftops of these structures for safe nesting and roosting.
High Viewpoint
Another attractive attribute of NYC’s architecture for pigeons is the high point of view they get from tall establishments. They love the high altitude for a number of reasons, including safety, comfort, and communication.
Abundance of Food
NYC is heaven for pigeons or similar scavenger birds. Why? Because there is food waste everywhere around the city. And this incredible amount of food scraps is feeding the entire pigeon population of the city.
Also, many New Yorkers absolutely adore these creatures. They keep pigeon feeds out their windows or on their rooftops for random pigeons to replenish themselves.
When Did the Pigeons Arrive in NYC?
These huge numbers of pigeons currently residing in New York aren’t native to America. In fact, probably no pigeons in the country have originated here.
The ancestor pigeons of currently seen American pigeons are actually from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
During the 1600s, the Columbian Exchange took place, which refers to the widespread exchange of plants, animals, culture, ideas, and diseases that occurred between the Old World and the New World (the Americas).
People from the old world most likely brought pigeons with them to help navigation. They also wanted to use the pigeons as messengers and sources of meat and eggs.
As time progressed and technology started to develop, the utility of pigeons as messengers started declining rapidly. At the same time, cities were rising across the country.
So, when the pigeons were eventually released to take care of themselves, they took shelter in these growing cities. Not just NYC but all the cities of the USA contain a surprisingly high number of pigeons.
How Many Pigeons Are There in NYC?
The actual number of pigeons currently living in New York City is not clearly known.
A few studies estimate that there are at least over a half million pigeons currently living in the city.
Some New Yorkers believe that there is at least one pigeon for every person living in the city. This makes the approximate number of pigeons in NYC over 9 million.
However, actual surveys by environmental organizations say that the number is somewhere in between the two extremes. A few surveys estimated the number is somewhere around 4 million pigeons.
This means the city has one pigeon for every two persons living there.
Main Food Sources of Pigeons in NYC?
We all know how densely populated an area NYC is. Due to the high volume of pedestrians, office goers, and street traffic, a significant amount of food waste can be found in the streets and waste bins of the city.
These include discarded fast food, restaurant leftovers, and sometimes even intentionally provided bird feed by people.
Pigeons are scavenger birds. They constantly look for food scraps throughout the city and eat them to sustain themselves. Common food items pigeon in NYC lives on are bread pieces, pizza crusts, pretzels, meat, and other fast food scraps.
Why Did the Pigeon Population Drastically Increase in NYC?
Currently, there are a lot of nomad pigeons across the USA, but nowhere is as densely populated as the City of New York. The core reason is the city’s population and its culture.
We all know how active NYC is throughout the day. Life is happening at every corner of this city, and there is a reason this city is called the greatest one on earth.
People are striving and thriving here all day and consequently generating incredible amounts of food scraps. Especially after the popularity growth of fast food joints and drive-thru orders, waste of food has increased rapidly.
It’s true that the architecture of NYC enables plenty of opportunities for pigeons to nest in. But this is true for any city with such urban structures. Pigeons managed to grow here on such a crazy scale because of the abundance of food.
Are Pigeons Good or Bad for the City?
So, whether this incredible number of pigeons residing within the city is good or bad for it and its people is a controversial topic. Many studies compared the pigeons in NYC to rats, and they’re called “Rats With Wings.” Let’s see why.
Living Condition
Like rats, pigeons thrive in busy areas with abundant food waste and human activity. Rats live better in messy areas, and they tend to degrade the space they’re living in. Pigeons have a somewhat similar tendency.
Scavenging Behavior
Pigeons, like rats, are scavenger creatures. They feed on an exceptionally wide variety of food scraps and can often be seen foraging for crumbs and discarded food.
Tendency to Overpopulate
If pigeons get to live in a suitable area with an abundance of food, they will multiply exponentially to the point of raising concerns about sanitation and diseases.
The explosive increment of pigeons in NYC has concerned many citizens. Statistically, a single pigeon leaves out almost 25 lbs. of excrement per year.
Now, think about the pigeon populations in the city! No wonder there is pigeon poop everywhere. It is estimated that pigeons in NYC cause almost $1.1 billion in damage every year and the number is really concerning.
There are well-established activist groups that are constantly protesting to warn people to stop the crazy pigeon growth in the city. While many people hate them, these activists do have a point.
Future of Pigeons in the City of New York
The future of pigeons in NYC is nothing but uncertain.
So far, NYC has implemented various measures to manage the pigeon population, including birth control programs, setting up anti-roosting spikes on buildings, and campaigns for people to discourage feeding pigeons.
These efforts have started to work and show results. But the challenge for the city people would be maintaining the balance between their numbers.
I mean, although an increased number of pigeons has adverse effects on the lives of city people, they shouldn’t be eradicated.
Nowadays, various private bird control agencies in NYC are boasting of the damage done by pigeons to about 6 to 7 billion dollars. While the numbers are superficial, many people are being influenced by it.
So, alongside running anti-pigeon measures, the correct authorities should enlighten people with the right information. With everybody’s awareness raised, the issue can be easily solved.
Conclusion
So, to answer the question of why are there so many pigeons in NYC, we must say it’s the best place for them to thrive. The greatest city, New York, is not only great for its humans but also for its pigeons.
While many people see pigeons as simple pests, there are many who adore them.
And with the right set of minds working together, the issue of the explosive pigeon population can be easily controlled.
References:
- https://www.nypl.org/blog/2012/08/23/how-did-pigeon-get-nyc
- https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/magazine/15pigeons.html
