Elizabeth Carlen and Joanna Moles: How pigeons took over the world

How pigeons took over the world

Seeing their meat as a protein source and their poop as the perfect fertilizer, humans brought pigeons into captivity as far back as 10,000 years ago. As we carried pigeons around the world, they formed the wild urban flocks we're familiar with today and became one of the most abundant species on the planet. Elizabeth Carlen and Joanna Moles track the feathery flier's rise to world domination. [Directed by Joseph Clark, Oh Studio, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].

Pigeons have become one of the planet’s most successful urban animals thanks to thousands of years of human intervention. Once prized for their meat and fertilizer, these adaptable birds now thrive in cities, where a single pigeon can leave 11 kilograms of acidic droppings per year. Their natural speed, strong homing instincts, and unfussy nesting habits have helped them flourish in environments that challenge other species. This coexistence, with both benefits and drawbacks, is the result of a long, intertwined relationship between people and pigeons.