When Pigeons Attack

I was walking in City Hall Park in Manhattan this afternoon when I noticed a crowd had assembled. A couple of squirrels were cadging bread crumbs off passers-by who were impressed by their antics. Both of these rodent roues had learned that scampering right up to someone holding a bag of bread or popcorn, standing on their hind legs while puffing their cheeks and chattering was just too cute for most humans to resist.

Unfortunately, the pigeons had also taken notice of this and seemed a bit, er... ruffled by it all. This was their territory after all.

I decided the spectacle of the squirrels merited a photograph, so I bent down to take a picture. Just then a gang of marauding pigeons dove in to swipe the booty from the squirrels. I snapped a picture, and the flash momentarily startled the pigeons, which allowed the squirrels to escape with their lives and the bread.

The leader of the squab squad had apparently decided that my camera was the root of all of their problems and he flew straight at my face trying to peck at the camera. I don't think I was ever in any real physical danger, but I doubt the psychological scars will ever heal.

That pigeon is lucky that I didn't have my 16 gauge Remington Wingmaster with me. Then his brethren would have know what it sounds like when doves die.

Comments

[rachel]

Gotta say--that's such an amazing pic I think the emotional scars are pretty much worth it. Who knew the urban wilderness was so fraught with danger and adventure!

[lobbygow]

That pigeon is the one that's going to need witness protection. He just caught me on a bad day. Fortunately, pigeons aren't known for keeping their mouths shut. I'll find one of his buddies over here in Brooklyn.

I'll get 'em hopped up on Wonder Bread and then hold out for a few days. They'll talk allright.

[F-Stop]

That's an awesome shot, Lobbygow! I hope you can find a good therapist, and from the looks of it, Witness Protection may be for you. I don't know if that pigeon will forget a face.