If they breathe, they live.
If they live, they think.
If they think, they feel.
Just like you and me.
- Anthony Douglas Williams
The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. For more than 5000 years human beings have relied on them for communication, entertainment, medicine and food. These pigeons were used to carry messages because of their innate homing ability which helped them find their way home when taken far from their nest. The Odisha Police Pigeon Service played a pivotal role during the 1999 Super Cyclone and the ensuing floods when the disruption of radio networks led to a collapse of almost all lines of communication.
Pigeons in the recent past have been ostracised by the scientific community and media backed by data showing respiratory ailments caused by them. The recent lockdown will hopefully help people understand that mere vehicular pollution is far greater an evil than the bird droppings. Incidentally their droppings were used as fertilizer a century ago. It wasn't long ago that the fast disappearing House sparrow was considered an urban pest. The rock pigeon too deserves its share of respect.
Rock pigeon
(Columba livia)
Sony A77II
Tamron 150-600
f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO400, 300mm
Home,Kahun Road, Pune (India)
May 2020