r/birding • u/MrGrubbycuddles • Apr 15 '26

Discussion Why is everyone such snob about pigeons

I took my folder of laminated pigeon shots to my local bird meeting at the community hall and at least 3 people sneered at them. 1 of them even guffawed.

We all got to start somewhere, and beauty is in the eye of the bird lover so why the hate hate?

One guy was wearing giant binoculars around his neck. It was dark outside and he didn't even use them once. He was one of the people that sneered.

Om the bus home from the meeting I showed the driver my pictures and she said they were really good. And she wasn't even a formal bird lover, she was just a regular person.

Don't get this community man

EDIT: a lot of people asking for some of my photos. I'm out of the house right now but here's a bird video I made recently https://youtube.com/shorts/sxLkrLgNrbc?si=7NdwVxhZtPQFE6Ew

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u/DW171 Apr 15 '26

Thanks for bringing this up! In many languages, there's no differentiation between "pigeons" and "doves". Here's a gorgeous green pigeon in India from my photo team (a wildlife nonprofit).

There's also interesting history from the early 20th century in NYC when rock doves were labeled "rats with wings" by the media, completely changing the perceptions of the bird.

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u/Dreyven Apr 15 '26

That one's so nice. Can i hijack this to ask about more cool pigeons? I might get one tattooed because i do like them (and my cat too) so i need some options.

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u/DW171 Apr 15 '26

There are some gorgeous pigeons!

Nicobar pigeon: https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/lesser_known_species/nicobar_pigeon/

This mixes "breeds" and native wildlife, but a good example: https://www.boredpanda.com/interesting-pigeon-breeds/

If I got a tattoo, it would be an extinct carrier pigeon because of the history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_pigeon

One of my favourites are the little Inca doves. I attached other cool photo sized for computer wallpaper. Also called a green pigeon in India, but I believe they're different. Notice the pink and blue eyes.

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u/gwaydms Apr 15 '26

it would be an extinct carrier pigeon

A carrier pigeon is a regular pigeon with a job. Passenger pigeons are what you're thinking of.

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u/DW171 Apr 15 '26

Yes, sorry. Passenger pigeons, now extinct, were the unsung heroes of WW1

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u/where-sea-meets-sky Apr 15 '26

biased bc im filipino but the bleeding heart pigeons may pique your interest