Podcast Summary
History of Pigeons: Pigeons have a rich history, being once worshipped as fertility goddesses and mentioned in the Bible, despite their current reputation as pests
Pigeons, which are now commonly viewed as pests, have a rich history and were once celebrated and even worshipped. Dave Champagne, the owner of BirdBusters Incorporated, spends his weeks dealing with the tenacious pigeon population in urban areas, as they cause significant damage to buildings, car paint, and solar panels with their acidic droppings. However, pigeons are not as simple as they seem. They are descendants of the Rock Dove, and the white doves released at weddings are just colored differently. Pigeons have been a part of human history for a long time, with evidence of their worship dating back to when humans were Homo sapiens. Despite their current reputation, pigeons were once seen as fertility goddesses and are mentioned throughout the Bible. It's important to remember the complex history of these birds before labeling them as mere pests.
Pigeons as Messengers: Pigeons were historically used as messengers due to their intelligence, directional skills, and endurance, and played a crucial role in early news reporting and battlefield communications.
Pigeons, the world's oldest domesticated bird, have a rich history of being used by humans for various purposes beyond food and fertilizer. Their intelligence, directional skills, and endurance made them valuable messengers long before the invention of telegraphs. Pigeons were selectively bred over centuries to fly longer distances and return home, making them ideal for delivering messages over great distances. In fact, they played a crucial role in the early days of news reporting, with Paul Julius Reuter using them to deliver stock prices from Belgium to Germany when there was a gap in the telegraph line. Furthermore, pigeons were extensively used on the battlefield by every major superpower in history to send messages past enemy lines. This fascinating history of pigeons as messengers highlights their remarkable abilities and the important role they played in human communication before modern technology.
Pigeons as Messengers in Wars: Pigeons saved thousands of lives during wars by delivering crucial messages, earning them the highest military honor for animals, the Dickon Award, and continuing to serve in various roles today.
The use of pigeons as messengers during wars demonstrates the power of low-tech solutions in critical situations. Despite the advancement of technology, pigeons proved to be reliable and effective, saving thousands of lives through their heroic actions. During both World War I and II, pigeons were employed by the US military, with some achieving legendary status. For instance, Cher Ami and G.I. Joe delivered crucial messages that led to the rescue of troops and the prevention of devastating attacks. The Dickon Award, the highest military honor for animals, was first given to pigeons in 1943, and they have received 32 of the 75 awards. Today, pigeons continue to serve in various roles, including search and rescue, quality control, and competitive racing. Their resilience and adaptability make them invaluable assets.
Pigeon Economy: From a working class sport in Belgium to a big business in Asia, the demand for champion pigeons has led to a thriving economy catering to their needs, while the same birds have become a nuisance in cities around the world due to their feral population.
Pigeon racing, which gained popularity in Belgium at the end of the 19th century as a sport for the working class, has transformed into a big business in Asia, with record-breaking sales of champion pigeons reaching into the millions of dollars. The winners are in high demand for their racing abilities and genetics, leading to a thriving economy catering to their needs. However, the opposite end of the spectrum is the issue of feral pigeons causing problems in cities around the world. The once-fancy birds have become a nuisance, roosting in local businesses and leaving acidic poop on sidewalks. Understanding how pigeons went from being prized athletes to unwanted pests, and the efforts to reclaim city streets from them, sheds light on the complex relationship between humans and these birds.
Urban pigeons: Feral pigeons have thrived in urban environments due to their adaptability, non-migratory nature, fast reproduction rate, and access to human food sources.
Feral pigeons thrive in urban environments due to their adaptability, non-migratory nature, and fast reproduction rate. They prefer to settle down on ledges and can survive on discarded human food. Their populations increase when people feed them, leading to overpopulation and potential stress on the population. Despite this, people have varying opinions about them, with some appreciating their presence and others finding them unsightly or problematic. Pigeons were initially brought to America as a food source but have since become a common sight in cities, particularly on ledges, bridges, and other concrete structures. Their history dates back to the 1600s when European settlers brought them over on ships. These wild pigeons have since multiplied significantly, particularly in the first half of the 20th century when racing pigeons escaped from rooftop coops. Pigeons are not migratory and prefer to settle down in one place, making urban environments ideal for them. They breed year-round and have a fast reproduction cycle, allowing them to survive and thrive in urban areas. Additionally, they are highly adaptable and can eat a variety of human discards, making them well-suited to city life. Despite efforts to control their populations through feeding restrictions, feral pigeons continue to thrive in cities, dividing opinion among city dwellers.
Pigeon control in Northern California: Pigeons cause over a billion dollars in damages annually in the US and bird control professionals like Dave Champagne of Birdbusters effectively address this issue, dealing with the unique challenges of bird control, particularly with pigeons due to their high poop production and urban roosting habits.
Pigeons cause extensive damage and have become a significant problem for businesses and cities in Northern California, with an estimated annual cost of over a billion dollars in the US. Bird control professionals like Dave Champagne of Birdbusters have filled the gap left by traditional pest control companies, who often struggle to effectively deal with birds due to the unique challenges of bird control. Pigeons, which make up around 60% of Champagne's business, are particularly problematic due to their prolific poop production and affinity for roosting in urban areas. The damage caused by pigeon poop can be structural and cosmetic, with acidic droppings capable of damaging paint jobs. Despite the challenges, Champagne and his team at Birdbusters continue to help businesses and cities tackle their bird problems, from tech giants like Salesforce and Google to local buildings and infrastructure.
Pigeon damage prevention: Pigeons can damage properties through droppings and require humane removal methods using products from companies like Bird Barrier, Bird Began, and Bird X. Effective removal is challenging as pigeons often return to their roosting sites.
Pigeons can cause significant damage to properties, particularly those with solar panels, through their droppings and persistent presence. These droppings can clog gutters, damage roofs, and pose health hazards due to the bacteria and fungi they contain. While there are no federal laws preventing the killing of pigeons, most cities have shifted towards humane removal methods. Companies like Bird Barrier, Bird Began, and Bird X offer various pigeon prevention products, including netting, sticky gels, holographic prisms, and plastic decoy owls. The challenge lies in effectively removing the pigeons and preventing them from returning. Despite these efforts, the pigeons often return to their previous roosting sites.
Bird control methods in urban areas: Effective bird control in urban areas can be achieved through various methods like netting, spikes, bird wire, and electric shocks. These methods deter birds from landing by making it difficult or unpleasant for them, and are cost effective as they can cover large areas.
Effective bird control in large urban areas, such as loading docks and rooftops, can be achieved through various methods like large netting systems, spikes, or bird tracks. These methods deter birds from landing by making it difficult or unpleasant for them to do so. The cost effectiveness comes from being able to cover large areas with these methods. For instance, netting an entire loading dock can prevent birds from accessing unwanted areas like ductwork and mechanical boxes. Spikes and bird wire are useful for tall ledges and rooftops. The bird track, which sends a harmless electric shock when birds land, is another effective deterrent. Prices for these services range from hundreds to six figures depending on the complexity of the job. Despite spending his days removing pigeons, pigeon control expert understands their place in the urban environment and doesn't hold any ill will towards them. Journalist Andrew Blackman echoes this sentiment, urging people to see pigeons as a part of the urban landscape rather than a nuisance. Pigeons have been with us since the beginning and have a place in our cities, and they are docile creatures with impressive athletic abilities.
Pigeon Racing Ethics: Pigeon racing involves ethical concerns due to the use of steroids and exploitation of pigeons for economic gain, despite their value as living creatures
Learning from this episode of Freakonomics Radio is that pigeons, despite being used for racing and having economic value due to their meat, are living creatures deserving of respect. However, the industry of pigeon racing is not without its issues, including the use of steroids to enhance performance. This raises ethical concerns and highlights the complexities of human relationships with animals and the economics of their exploitation. The episode was produced by Zachary Crockett, Sarah Lilly, and Jeremy Johnston, with assistance from Daniel Moritz-Raphson. The Freakonomics Radio Network aims to explore the hidden side of everything, including this intriguing aspect of the world of pigeon racing.