61. Pigeons | The Economics of Everyday Things

Summary

This transcript explores the relationship between pigeons and humans, particularly focusing on urban environments where pigeons are seen as pests. Dave Champagne, owner of Bird Busters, helps businesses in San Francisco combat pigeon infestations. The transcript delves into the historical significance of pigeons, from their ancient domestication and use in wars to modern pigeon racing and their ability to navigate. Despite their reputation as 'rats of the sky,' pigeons are resilient, intelligent creatures, and companies like Bird Busters aim to humanely manage their presence in cities.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ Pigeons are considered one of the most notorious pests in cities like San Francisco, causing damage with their acidic droppings.
• 🐦 Dave Champagne, owner of Bird Busters, Inc., specializes in humane pigeon removal and prevention, highlighting the smart and tenacious nature of pigeons.
• 🌆 It's estimated that over 8 million pigeons live in North American cities, particularly in urban centers where they roost and gather in large flocks.
• 🏛️ Historically, pigeons were revered and even worshipped, with their domestication dating back 10,000 years to Mesopotamia.
• 📜 Pigeons were used for message delivery due to their homing abilities, playing a crucial role in communication before the telegraph.
• 🏆 Pigeons have been honored for their service in wars, with some receiving the highest military honors for animals, like the Dickin Medal.
• 💰 Pigeon racing is a big business, especially in Asia, where top racing pigeons can sell for millions of dollars.
• 🥇 Pigeons have exceptional athletic abilities, including flying for up to 16 hours straight and reaching speeds of 60 MPH.
• 🌐 Cities around the world spend millions on pigeon control measures due to the structural and health hazards they pose.
• 🔄 Modern pigeon control focuses on humane removal and prevention methods, such as netting, spikes, and bird track systems, rather than killing the birds.

Q & A

Who is Dave Champagne, and what is his business?

Dave Champagne is the owner of Bird Busters, Incorporated, a company that specializes in bird control. His business primarily deals with pigeons, helping cities and businesses remove and prevent pigeon infestations.

Why are pigeons considered a nuisance in urban areas?

Pigeons are considered a nuisance because they gather in large flocks, roost on buildings, and produce acidic droppings that damage structures, car paint, and solar panels. Their poop can also pose health risks due to bacteria and fungi.

What historical significance do pigeons have?

Pigeons have been domesticated for over 10,000 years, used as food, messengers, and even worshipped as fertility goddesses in ancient times. They were also used in wartime communications and were celebrated for their intelligence and homing abilities.

How did pigeons contribute to wartime efforts?

Pigeons played a crucial role in wartime by delivering messages across enemy lines. For instance, during World War I, the U.S. had a dedicated pigeon corps, and pigeons like Cher Ami and G.I. Joe saved many lives by delivering critical messages under dangerous conditions.

Why do pigeons thrive in cities like San Francisco and New York?

Pigeons thrive in cities because they are highly adaptable, find plenty of ledges to roost on, and have access to food discarded by humans. Cities mimic their natural cliff environments, and pigeons can breed year-round, contributing to their large populations.

What methods do companies like Bird Busters use to control pigeon populations?

Bird Busters uses a variety of methods to control pigeons, including netting, spikes, bird wire, and electric tracks that give pigeons a small zap when they land. These methods aim to prevent pigeons from roosting without harming them.

How do pigeons navigate and find their way home?

Pigeons have an extraordinary sense of direction, likely due to tiny bits of magnetite in their brains that help them detect the Earth's magnetic field. This allows them to return home over long distances, sometimes flying up to 1,000 miles without stopping.

What was the role of pigeons in the development of the Reuters news service?

In 1851, Paul Julius Reuter used pigeons to bridge a communication gap between Brussels and Berlin, delivering stock prices over 400 miles. This innovative use of pigeons helped establish Reuters as a leading news service.

Why do some people view pigeons more favorably, despite their nuisance reputation?

Some people view pigeons more favorably because of their historical significance, intelligence, and athleticism. Journalist Andrew Blechman argues that pigeons are gentle creatures that have lived alongside humans for centuries and should be appreciated rather than vilified.

What is pigeon racing, and why is it a lucrative industry?

Pigeon racing involves releasing pigeons from a distant location and timing their return to their home lofts. It is a lucrative industry, especially in China and Taiwan, where prize money can reach millions of dollars. Champion pigeons can be sold for millions and bred for high-priced offspring.