Pigeons
By: Macey Sidlasky
London’s streets are full of people, buses, and flying rats, otherwise known as pigeons. The population of pigeons is quite difficult to ignore as you stroll through the parks and on the sidewalks of the city. Either flocking in large groups or hovering by anyone who appears to have food in their hands, these city-doves can be found everywhere. Perched on statues, defecating on buildings, or lingering around trash bags, all pigeons appear to have the same motivation: food.
A word of advice to the London traveler who doesn’t want to deal with these birds: stay as far away as possible, especially when carrying groceries or eating outside. They may appear endearing when the sunlight catches the green and purple hues of their necks or when their sweet cooing can almost be described as romantic. But once their beady eyes fixate on you, it’s suddenly as if they’re following each of your movements. Their sharply carved beaks will threaten to rip through your plastic grocery bag, full to the rim with lunch for the week. Although it is unlikely that these pigeons will attack you, they will definitely watch you closely.
However, if you don’t mind the flying rats, you can risk a fifty pound fine and/or jail time by feeding them. Outstretching a cupped handful of sunflower seeds will encourage the birds to come your way, and before you know it, you’ll be the next Mary Poppins. If you choose to embrace the full Mary Poppins identity and sing while the city doves peck at the seeds in your hand, narrowly missing your skin, it is recommended not to sing loudly. Doing so will draw attention to yourself, and before you know it a police officer will be running at you and you’ll be running from them while the birds follow suit. The problem is that when you run into the street, the pigeons can fly away as a bus comes barreling at you, leaving you flattened while the pigeons laugh from their high perch.
By: Macey Sidlasky
London’s streets are full of people, buses, and flying rats, otherwise known as pigeons. The population of pigeons is quite difficult to ignore as you stroll through the parks and on the sidewalks of the city. Either flocking in large groups or hovering by anyone who appears to have food in their hands, these city-doves can be found everywhere. Perched on statues, defecating on buildings, or lingering around trash bags, all pigeons appear to have the same motivation: food.
A word of advice to the London traveler who doesn’t want to deal with these birds: stay as far away as possible, especially when carrying groceries or eating outside. They may appear endearing when the sunlight catches the green and purple hues of their necks or when their sweet cooing can almost be described as romantic. But once their beady eyes fixate on you, it’s suddenly as if they’re following each of your movements. Their sharply carved beaks will threaten to rip through your plastic grocery bag, full to the rim with lunch for the week. Although it is unlikely that these pigeons will attack you, they will definitely watch you closely.
However, if you don’t mind the flying rats, you can risk a fifty pound fine and/or jail time by feeding them. Outstretching a cupped handful of sunflower seeds will encourage the birds to come your way, and before you know it, you’ll be the next Mary Poppins. If you choose to embrace the full Mary Poppins identity and sing while the city doves peck at the seeds in your hand, narrowly missing your skin, it is recommended not to sing loudly. Doing so will draw attention to yourself, and before you know it a police officer will be running at you and you’ll be running from them while the birds follow suit. The problem is that when you run into the street, the pigeons can fly away as a bus comes barreling at you, leaving you flattened while the pigeons laugh from their high perch.