Poll of the Day > Why are pigeons called rats with wings?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Their behavior toward humans and even their literal color scheme is very reminiscent of cats. They should be called cats with wings

Has it even been confirmed that they are real

They're essentially abandoned domesticated animals, IIRC.

Because there are millions of them and no way to get rid of them

ma bro has a pet pigeon-dove

People call them rats because they're projecting, except for the with wings part, that part is envy.

Because, like rats, they are pests that are too numerous to get rid of. The with wings part should be self explanatory

We domesticated pigeons and basically made them into a species that cannot survive without us.
Then one day, we decided we were done with them. Telegraphs send messages way faster, so what do I need this bird for?

WE made them pests, and then hate them for subsisting on our trash as if we gave them any other choice.

A friend of mine keeps a flock of carriers and they are extremely sweet little critters.

Realthuddydrumz posted...

We domesticated pigeons and basically made them into a species that cannot survive without us.
Then one day, we decided we were done with them. Telegraphs send messages way faster, so what do I need this bird for?

WE made them pests, and then hate them for subsisting on our trash as if we gave them any other choice.

A friend of mine keeps a flock of carriers and they are extremely sweet little critters.

are you saying the pigeons at the park are free. I can just like, take one home?

Realthuddydrumz posted...

We domesticated pigeons and basically made them into a species that cannot survive without us.
Then one day, we decided we were done with them. Telegraphs send messages way faster, so what do I need this bird for?

WE made them pests, and then hate them for subsisting on our trash as if we gave them any other choice.

This.

They are my friends.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b538d407.jpg

Yes and they have lucky poop.

Some people think stray cats are pests

Damn_Underscore posted...

Some people think stray cats are pests

Any stray can be a problem

They're scavenging animals that mostly infest cities. They're also responsible for significant property damage, and serve as carries for various diseases. The comparison is pretty obvious.

So is the ire, when they're constantly shitting on people.

Though given the choice, I'd happily take them over seagulls. Fuck seagulls.



Damn_Underscore posted...

Some people think stray cats are pests

I 100% do. They used to sneak into my yard and shit in my sandbox when I was a kid. The scorching flame of my hate will burn eternally.

'Yes'

Crows are smart birds, but pigeons are also smart when it comes to scrap food and knowing when they can just walk around humans without fear.

Also, there may be some bias in that I was a fan of 'Animaniacs' and those pigeons that spoofed the Godfather films. A quarter of the reason why I can't be mad at Warner Brother's antics these days. I was the kid helping WB with those ratings back then.

MomSpringfield posted...

are you saying the pigeons at the park are free. I can just like, take one home?

This is a good question, we need to start Pigeon Adoption Centers

Realthuddydrumz posted...

We domesticated pigeons and basically made them into a species that cannot survive without us.
Then one day, we decided we were done with them. Telegraphs send messages way faster, so what do I need this bird for?

WE made them pests, and then hate them for subsisting on our trash as if we gave them any other choice.

A friend of mine keeps a flock of carriers and they are extremely sweet little critters.

This right here

Easy. They have a fairly similar body size and color and, like it or not, they're both widely associated with urban living and eating garbage.

Do pigeons spread disease and bite? Their behavior and rats behavior are totally different. Also rats are just dark/dull. Pigeons are various shades with some bright colors mixed in, just like cats

Damn_Underscore posted...

Some people think stray cats are pests

I love cats, but it's not even debatable that strays are the definition of pests. It is very difficult to correct feral behavior even after domesticating, too. What, do you think Bob Barker just said "Spay and neuter your pets" for fun?

Salrite posted...

I love cats, but it's not even debatable that strays are the definition of pests. It is very difficult to correct feral behavior even after domesticating, too. What, do you think Bob Barker just said "Spay and neuter your pets" for fun?

tbh stray cats kill other pests. I'm not saying stray cats are a good thing; they should be taken care of even it's by the community.

I mean, sure, "the enemy of my enemy" and all that. Ideally they do get scooped up and taken in by homeowners, but they breed like crazy when unfettered. I think this is the main concern with the term "pest". The impossibility of population control.

pigeon's breed all year long unlike other birds who tend to breed in spring. They make their nests by turning in circles and defecating. they can also carry rabies.

Not really.

MistyKnight posted...

Because there are millions of them and no way to get rid of them.

Aren't they also known for carrying disease?

GGuirao13 posted...

Aren't they also known for carrying disease?

Not surprising when they're constantly rifling through garbage

Pigeons are incredibly intelligent and have assisted humans as messengers in war. There was a time that owning a pigeon was seen as a sign of luxury. They were loved for decades until one shitty politician called them "rats with wings" and humans systematically abandoned them. I highly recommend hood nature (casual geographic)'s video on them because it's both very funny and very true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3kwJSEdCWQ

I sincerely believe that anyone who truly hates an animal is just uneducated about them and/or is incapable of appreciating nature, because what a stupid thing to be hateful about. Some people even seem to make hating a certain animal/animals a whole personality trait. Can't stand people like that.

GGuirao13 posted...

Aren't they also known for carrying disease?

Not more than any other bird, unless they've been in close contact with human civilization. So, yeah, the ones in cities can get you sick, but it isn't because of something unique to them, they're just a vessel for germs from other humans.

GGuirao13 posted...

Not really.

Aren't they also known for carrying disease?

Humans carry disease also.

Flappers posted...

I sincerely believe that anyone who truly hates an animal is just uneducated about them and/or is incapable of appreciating nature

Pretty sure no one genuinely hates the animals themselves, they just have an understanding of the harm that they can cause and the reality of their impact on the environment.

Salrite posted...

Pretty sure no one genuinely hates the animals themselves, they just have an understanding of the harm that they can cause and the reality of their impact on the environment.

I've met people who include wanting to kill their least favorite animals with a shovel into conversation like it's a normal topic and act like it's funny or "just their thing" then scoff and feel superior when you challenge how insane that is.

As someone who works with wildlife and who has exchanged stories with rangers, most people are complete idiots because we are so removed from nature that they don't understand anything about it, but there are also people who experience nothing but antipathy when they touch grass. Of course, there are a lot of good people, too -- misinformed, likely, but still good.

And you gotta trust me, tons of people think they have an understanding of the dangers and impact to the environment, but I can confidently say that they probably don't.

I hate when they fly out of nowhere but other than Pigeons are cool.

Salrite posted...

Pretty sure no one genuinely hates the animals themselves, they just have an understanding of the harm that they can cause and the reality of their impact on the environment.

I have seen a person hate dogs because they bark. Yeah... that.

I ain't a fan of dolphins, but I don't hate them.

Flappers posted...

I've met people who include wanting to kill their least favorite animals with a shovel into conversation like it's a normal topic and act like it's funny or "just their thing" then scoff and feel superior when you challenge how insane that is.

As someone who works with wildlife and who has exchanged stories with rangers, most people are complete idiots because we are so removed from nature that they don't understand anything about it, but there are also people who experience nothing but antipathy when they touch grass. Of course, there are a lot of good people, too -- misinformed, likely, but still good.

And you gotta trust me, tons of people think they have an understanding of the dangers and impact to the environment, but I can confidently say that they probably don't.

Do mosquitoes count as animals? Bugs always felt more like animal adjacent to me, but either way I would get rid of them if I had the chance

Muscles posted...

Do mosquitoes count as animals? Bugs always felt more like animal adjacent to me, but either way I would get rid of them if I had the chance

Some insects are needed. Beetles are cool. Mozzies and ticks can fuck off though.

Mosquitos deserve all the hate they get and then some, but still they do have some ecological importance. I've heard that most species actually aren't vampiric and aren't much of a bother to anything. If that's so, the most ideal solution might be to replace the problematic species' with benign ones that can fill the same role, assuming that's possible without any significant ecological consequence.

Shadowbird_RH posted...

Mosquitos deserve all the hate they get and then some, but still they do have some ecological importance. I've heard that most species actually aren't vampiric and aren't much of a bother to anything. If that's so, the most ideal solution might be to replace the problematic species' with benign ones that can fill the same role, assuming that's possible without any significant ecological consequence.

Mosquitoes are one of the few species that could be destroyed and not have any negative effects, since they do nothing to help the environment and they aren't any animals main food source

TimeForAction posted...

Has it even been confirmed that they are real

Yes. Pigeon evolves from Eevee when you use a Pig Stone

my bro's pet pigeon-dove

https://imgur.com/zYyVvfA