Guest Post by Kyla Iudicello

Sprocket, a Roller pigeon, stood out easily from the average feral pigeon thanks to her tiny size and all black feathers with white-edged bell bottoms. She was rescued and adopted in 2018. She found love with another black Roller who unfortunately passed away, and in 2021, she returned to Palomacy’s foster care where she met her current husband Abby.

There is rarely a moment in the aviary when these two are not nestled next to each other. In the mornings, Abby will land at their favorite food bowl to scout out the competition. After a few moments, Sprocket will follow tentatively, trusting Abby as an indicator of safety. During the day, you may find them sitting on a high perch, stretching their wings to catch warm sunlight. Every so often, you may hear Abby’s deep coos and discover Sprocket preening him gently in their nest box. In the evening, you may spot their rounded fluffy silhouettes tucked next to each other for the night.

The idea that all pigeons are bad nest builders gets tossed around the internet often through photos of eggs laid on doormats accompanied by a few flimsy sticks. Sometimes I laugh with people about this at outreach events since, of course, I have seen my fair share of silly pigeon nests. Abby and Sprocket, however, remind me that pigeons, like us, act uniquely according to their individual personalities. This reminder comes in the form of their absurdly tall nests consisting of layers of hundreds of carefully placed pine needles. At times, their towering creations have even risen to seven inches of pine needle-gathered feather-entanglement. Sprocket may not be able to lay eggs to fill these nests, but Abby’s dedicated construction ensures she rests comfortably atop one or two fake eggs.

Aside from nest building, there are many ways that pigeons get a bad – and often unfounded – reputation. At outreach events, many people are shocked to learn that, with trust and time, pigeons can be cuddly and affectionate – and that yes, that does mean you can pet them. It is incredibly rewarding to bond with these loving, intelligent birds; feeling a rescued bird embrace the safety and comfort of your arms is unforgettable every single time.

But beyond that, there is nothing as fulfilling as watching two rescued birds, both with their own share of past hardship, find safety and care in each other. I like to imagine that the peace and support they provide each other in every aspect of their daily routine is as healing for them as it is for me.