| Title | : | A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to Know the World's Most Misunderstood Bird |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1523511346 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781523511341 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 |
| Publication | : | First published October 26, 2021 |
A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to Know the World's Most Misunderstood Bird Reviews
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Here’s the thing about pigeons: if you’re one of those people who hate them and think of them as “flying rats”, well tough, because it’s our own fault. Pigeons aren’t wild animals who have taken to living in our towns, like urban foxes say; they are domesticated animals, like dogs and cows, some of which have escaped, been abandoned or deliberately released. They were domesticated, most likely somewhere in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East, thousands of years ago and throughout almost all of human history ever since have been liked, valued, admired, at times revered. Alongside the dog and the horse, they have been one of our favourite companions on this planet.
To a lot of people they still are of course. Charles Darwin loved them (much of Chapter One of On the Origin of Species is devoted to them), as did Pablo Picasso who not only painted them but named his daughter after them (Paloma, his “little dove”); the Mughal emperor Akbar, Queen Victoria, inventor Nikola Tesla, painters Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, head of the fashion house Maurizio Gucci, Yul Brynner and Walt Disney—pigeon fanciers all. To others though, and only during the last thin sliver of our history, they have suddenly morphed into something very different.
This new negative view of them probably explains why books about feral pigeons are so few and far between, and Rosemary Mosco has helped plug the gap. A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching covers Columba livia’s own history (i.e. their dinosaur ancestry); their anatomy and behaviour; the varieties, colours and markings; their part in our history; and also highlighted an absurdity, namely, that many people have a positive reaction to the word “dove” but a negative one to the word “pigeon”—in fact pigeons are doves, and the doves released at weddings, peace rallies and sports events are white pigeons. I liked everything: the illustrations (a delight; Mosco is also a cartoonist), the info (thorough) and the writing style (bright, lively, funny). It also confirmed an opinion I’d been coming to myself just watching pigeons: what unusual and extraordinarily capable birds these are. They’re brilliant fliers (and need to be, the peregrine falcon being the fastest predator on Earth) but can do endurance too (600 miles in a day); they can sense the planet’s magnetic field and see both ultraviolet and the direction of polarised light; and the Columbidae are a third family of highly social and intelligent birds alongside the corvids and the parrots.
So what happened, why have so many people fallen out of love with them? The pigeons haven’t changed, it’s us who have suddenly changed, during that final sliver of our own history abandoning the countryside for the city en masse, exchanging woods and fields for concrete. And the dove of peace turning into the flying rat maybe says more about what we’ve done to ourselves than it does about these formerly appreciated, and now horribly maligned, little birds. -
"The bobbing is an illusion. That pigeon isn't actually bobbing its head back and forth--it's doing something weirder. [...] For a pigeon, the most efficient way to keep tabs on its environment is to shoot its head forward at lightning speed, fix its gaze on something, and keep its head locked in place while its body catches up. So, a pigeon isn't really bobbing its head back and forth; it just looks like it's bobbing because the head moves forward and then the body moves forward to meet it" (146).
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An unexpectedly fun read. Pigeons. That's what the book is about. Pigeons. Of those things that live out there *waves in a random direction*, I can't say that I've developed much in the way of love or hate for pigeons. They are just there. Cooing. Pooing on me (once).
Despite this opinion on pigeons, none other than "damn, one pooed on me", I tried this book. All because of a comment I saw on Twitter. Tried sample. Bought book. Read something else (I was in the middle of something else at the time). Then devoured this book once I turned to it.
Fun, funny, interesting, illuminating book. How much did I like it? Only 50% into the book, I acquired two physical copies to give out for Christmas.
Will you like the book random person reading my review? No clue. There's a kind of flippant attitude to the writing, I liked it but others might not. I guess. Possibly. The subject matter is pigeons. Why people should care about them. Why they seem to be all around us. How they are actually out there because of us (we domesticated them, traveled around with them, released them into places they hadn't existed before (like North America)); why would we domesticate them? Why do people (some) not remember this tidbit? How many won military medals (a few, seriously)?
So, interested? Yes, no? Eh, not sure I would have been, but I read and really liked.
Rating: 5.0
November 1 2021 -
In this short and entertaining read, Mosco writes about pigeons: their relationship to humans, their history, their anatomy and behavior, the various breeds of domesticated pigeons, the sorts of patterns and colors you might spot among feral pigeons, and how to help pigeons (stringfoot, spotting lost pets among feral pigeons, catching an injured pigeon, etc.). The book wraps up with a chapter on the sorts of animals you might begin to spot once you've become comfortable watching pigeons/doves.
I'm not a bird watcher, and I'm not particularly a fan of pigeons, although I don't hate them either. I now live in an area where I'm more likely to see doves (probably mourning doves?) than feral pigeons, but, growing up in Germany, I remember seeing the flocks of feral pigeons in my mom's hometown. I wish I'd had this book back then - I wonder what sorts of interesting things I'd have noticed?
I bought this primarily because I've read and enjoyed several of Mosco's Bird and Moon comics. I figured that, at the very least, it'd be an easy library donation once I finished it. Now I've finally read it, and it was delightful. Despite my horrific lack of shelf space, I doubt I'll be offloading it anytime soon.
This book contains no photographs, only Mosco's drawings, but those are charming and well-done enough that I mostly didn't mind. The only times I found myself looking up photos was when I wanted a better visual of the difference between check and t-check patterned birds, and when I wanted a better look at particular pigeon breeds. And of course some pigeons, like rollers, have characteristics that are best communicated in videos.
Mosco's interest in pigeons, bird watching, and nature were infectious. The writing was aimed at readers who might only have vague memories of their high school science classes, so some of the explanations of things like pigeon genetics were a bit simplistic for my tastes, but overall this was an enjoyable and interesting read. I very much appreciated the annotated "Further Reading" section and would like to try out several of the books Mosco mentions.
(Original review posted on
A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) -
am now a pigeon apologist
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READ THIS BOOK! Part science, part history, with perfect humor, WONDERFUL illustrations, and covering the breadth of the topic in a fun way that feeds into our human curiosity and interconnection to the world around us...this book is/has everything!!! It is a real joy, and one to be picked up by all types of readers in my opinion (even if they aren't pigeons lovers at the start, like me). This was one of the best non-fiction books I have had the pleasure of reading in a while, chock full of information but anything but boring and dense. Highly recommend!
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I love pigeons. This book loves pigeons. Therefore, I love this book. Is it a true 5 star read? Debatable, but the commitment to the lil' goofballs means it deserves it. I've always summed up my love for pigeons with a simple, "They think they're people!" (A phrase this book uses as well) I love the way they bob their heads and ride the subway, and after reading this I've more convinced that they ARE people. They're remarkably adaptable, trading their more traditional cliffside homes for nooks in manmade structures. They carry messages and build messy nests, get jealous easily, clean themselves, and have lived alongside humans just as long as dogs and rats.
On the book, its great. It's very informative, though you could probably skip the quick re-hashes of high school biology (just not the pictures) as it makes everything easy for the layman. Most importantly, though I'm not very familiar with pigeon literature, this one certainly must be the funniest. There's so much glee and many hilarious jokes dotted around that can make reading about bird genetics and coloration surprisingly interesting.
That being said, if you're not interested in pigeons, you might not find it interesting. Rather, take this as an opportunity to learn something new. Maybe not just about birds, but about yourself.
"It's a hard world, sometimes you just need to look at a soft bird"
I'm not sure why I wrote such a big review for this one. Pigeons are cool
The Scandaroon/10 -
See also
Birding is my Favorite Video Game. -
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely fantastic all around.
I came to this book as a pretty big pigeon fan already, so I didn’t personally need further convincing that pigeons are incredible. However, the book was so informative and enthusiastic about pigeons that I am making a commitment to stanning pigeons even more actively.
The author handles the subject with scientific rigour and historical awareness while keeping a very light, fun and enthusiastic tone throughout. It’s incredibly accessible and presents complex information in a very simple manner. When new words pop up, she tells you how they’re pronounced, and she explains complex topics from the ground up (for instance, instead of assuming readers will remember their biology classes from school or pointing them elsewhere for an explanation, a short primer on genetics is included before the section on pigeon genetics). I think this accessibility is one of the strongest points of the book. Even if you’re familiar with some of the topics beforehand, the explanations are so brief and simple (without sacrificing accuracy!) it feels like a welcome refresher instead of something boring you are reading through but already know. Even though the book does have a slight American flavour, luckily effort has been made to make it totally relevant for a more international audience. If pigeons are around you (and odds are they are), this will be relevant!
The illustrations are just perfect, really, working efficiently to accurately show particular points of pigeon anatomy and behaviour without losing any of the personality of pigeons, and often adding funny elements. The colours are absolutely gorgeous, and the style is so consistent throughout. So impressed by the visual aspects of this book (including layout and general design).
My only criticism is that I thought it presented (in)breeding in a very neutral way even when describing certain breeds as literally incapable of feeding their young or flying. I would have liked an explicitly critical approach to some of the more clearly iffy aspects of the selective breeding of sentient animals, but still, based on the general tone and some comments about us having a moral responsibility to treat animals humanely, especially those that exist because of out domestication and breeding, I think the author’s ethics would align with mine there. I’m so used to naturalists being dismissive about or downright hateful of urban wildlife that the author’s tone, enthusiasm and compassion for pigeons was very welcome and refreshing, especially when it’s clearly in no way incompatible with her scientific approach.
I liked it so much I’ll probably pick up a paper copy when it’s published. I think it would make a great gift too, for teens and adults alike.
I’d love to see this author tackle (urban) gulls in a similar manner! -
There's a neighbour above who loves to feed pidgeons every morning. Not that I will suddenly stop chasing them away after reading this one, but it was nice to get to know why they are so annoying.
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Five stars!
Interesting and entertaining guide to all things pigeons. I've always felt that pigeons got a bad rap, and now, thanks to Rosemary Mosco and her book "A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching", I feel a bit vindicated. The book is definitely aimed at the middle school aged reader, but even as an adult I learned so much about this fascinating bird. I had no idea how pervasive or varied pigeons are. There is some form of the bird on nearly every continent, and while most of us think of the common domestic pigeon (or rock dove) when we think of a pigeon, some of them are very unique and quite beautiful. The author makes what could be a dry, tedious book into a fun, engaging read, covering everything from genetics and anatomy to domestication and behaviors. Her enthusiasm is contagious -- I don't think I shall ever look at a pigeon in quite the same way again! Definitely recommended for anyone with any interest in nature, birds or birdwatching.
I am so grateful to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching. -
Fun and quirky with lots of interesting information. This is a great example of how delivery and details make a book on a seemingly random topic interesting.
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3.5 stars.
A wonderful introduction to pigeons and birdwatching in general! I have not grown up around pigeons, but I still was able to gain a great appreciation for their unique traits and also see how some of these general pigeon/dove family traits manifest in my local family of mourning doves. They're such sweet pudgy birbs to watch that I'm sure if I ever lived in a city, I'd adore the pigeons just as much... if nothing else for their spectacular color variations! Mosco details the genetics behind these pretty colors and fancy feathers, as well as going into pigeon-keeping history, how they came to be feral birds, and provides a detailed section on how to "read" pigeon language. She also provides a brief epilogue on how to apply some basic bird watching skills towards watching other common birds, so this makes a perfect gift for the beginning city birdwatcher.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on
my blog.) -
A fun and wonderful book about pigeons, I learned SO SO much about them and I love it! Now I want to watch some pigeons and maybe consider them not so flying ratty. XD
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Cute cute cute!
Interesting as hell!
Read it!
Coo! -
Mosco covers the history of keeping pigeons, including some famous people who did — like Charles Darwin. The book also includes an easy to understand (yet comprehensive) breakdown of pigeon genetics. What gives them their coloring, shape, and feather types.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm... -
Quick fun read but could have been much better. My main gripe is so much presumably interesting information missing here: comparison of different pigeon populations by great city (London vs. New York?); placement of the dove/pigeon within the phylogenetic tree of birds; actual, honest assessment of pigeon IQ relative to other birds; and notable scientific debates among peristerologists. Also the sense of humor here is pretty lame throughout. That said, there were some gems of information, such as the different phenotypes of feather patterns on pigeons (and the rank order of their alleles in genetic dominion). Worth a quick read and a fun book to have on your shelf in case someone from the burbs is visiting your NYC apartment.
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The book's first thing that stands out is the humour laced into every paragraph. This begins with the introduction itself. The author enjoys the topic, or that is what shines through the entire book.
I chose to read this because of this topic. I have seen pigeons around (who hasn't?!), and if someone recommended I pigeon watch to pass the time, I would not have taken them seriously. The title of this book, therefore, was very intriguing.
Like many other non-fiction titles that I end up trying, this has a great collection of art. The pigeons are colourful and keep pace with the narrative. They are even used to help with a punchline or two. I would have liked a few actual photographs included towards the end of the kind of pigeons still in existence, but that is one thing I did not get. I did google a few just to check them out.
The author covers the history of pigeons, their uses (by humans) and the different breeds. This last part was fascinating, as was the reproduction. The author actually talks of the visible genetic markers for some broader types and how they are transmitted to future generations based on the type of the mate. The author also gives us an in-depth view of their daily lives and some typical behaviour.
There is not much I can talk of the content other than that it is provided in a friendly fashion. I would recommend this to anyone who finds it usually hard to pick up non-fiction and is curious about pigeons.
I really enjoyed the read but did not read it in one sitting. I had to space it out solely because I had to process all the information I was being given. It is the kind of book you can have at home and peruse whenever you feel like pulling up some remarkable factoids.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience. -
Disclaimer: I have always, always, always loved pigeons.
I really liked this book a lot and learned so much. I had no idea there were so many varieties. It’s the same as with chickens - they’ve been bred to be plump, or for speed, or for unusual displays of feathers. I found out about pigeon love and monogamy, various colors and patterns of the feathers, and the different sounds they make depending on age and circumstance.
I learned that once pigeons were only owned by the aristocracy and peasants would be executed for killing pigeons. Pigeons were highly valued for sending messages (obsolete with the invention of the telegraph), for their meat (obsolete with the emphasis on chicken), and for their guano (obsolete with the rise of factories manufacturing fertilizer). Now pigeons are everywhere, scorned and reviled, but it’s the fault of humans for dumping them when something better came along.
My quibbles are that it’s all just a little too cutesy. The cute parts are funny and appealing but it feels just a bit dumbed down. Or perhaps young adults are the target audience and I’m judging unfairly. The illustrations are also cute but not as informative as I might’ve hoped, and I spent a lot of time on Google Images marveling at the pigeon variety and beauty.
Pigeons are astonishing birds. I’m so glad I live in a place where there are a fair number of pigeons. Now that I’ve read this fascinating book, I’ll know a lot more of what they’re doing and what I’m seeing when I’m watching them. -
A quirky yet informative guide book on pigeons. Rosemary Mosco's A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching covers multiple bodies on bird's history, physiology, genetic variations, diet and their behaviors. Mosco's impeccable writing is insightful, accessible and easily understood. For someone who doesn't have much basic knowledge on birds in general, this was a great introduction to pigeons. Filled with colorful illustrations and texts, Mosco delivered it in an engaging and humorous manner. The most wondrous thing was the author's utmost enthusiasm and optimism when sharing her knowledge about pigeons. Her passion really shines through. Lighthearted yet intelligent, it truly felt like I was having a fun and enlightening conversation with her. The author's dedication, knowledge and love for birds and nature is beyond inspirational. I have always been somewhat fascinated with pigeons and Mosco's book has been resourceful. It definitely sparked my interest in pigeons and enhanced my appreciation for these beautiful and unique species. I will be looking out for more of Mosco's works and even possibly her speaking engagements.
Thank you to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. -
I think that this is not only a very informative book it's also quite entertaining.
Ms. Mosco has presented her subject, the lowly pigeon a flattering light indeed. This is easy to understand and well explained. Who knew that pigeons provide a kind of milk for their young? Not me that's for sure. There are also simple pictures to aid in explaining various bits of information.
This would be a great addition to any birders' library. -
Charming and full of facts about those funny birds. Pigeons are doves. They're mostly monogamous. They're terrible nest builders. They're gentle. They never migrate. They walk instead of hop. Both parents sit on the eggs and produce milk. They have a long and fascinating shared history with humans.
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This was wonderful, and really made me interested in pigeon keeping and pigeon watching! Rosemary Mosco's illustrations are fantastic and funny.
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Very cute and informative. The book goes through characteristics (behavioral and physical) of pigeons, as well as the history of pigeons as both a domesticated & wild bird (and much more). The illustrations are great and the book is very lighthearted while still teaching you a lot.
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I love pigeons.
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I love pigeons so much!!!!!
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It was alright! Not groundbreaking but it included some funny facts here and there
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I finished this a long time ago but forgot it was on my docket. Obviously it is perfection, and I’m glad I have infinite access to it. <3
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This is so much fun and so adorable. Absolutely charming, and should be picked up by everyone, period.
