If you’ve ever wondered about Columbus’ apparent lack of pigeons, here’s a fun fact: They’re here. They’re just getting eaten.
Why it matters: Pigeons have become an unofficial mascot of major American cities.
- But our clear downtown skies are actually another bird’s success story — a thriving population of once-endangered peregrine falcons is keeping pigeons in check, experts tell Axios.
How it works: Feral pigeons aren’t native to the U.S. They descend from domesticated rock doves that early European settlers brought across the pond.
- Some escaped, and the scrappy scavengers adapted to urban life.
- They nest on tall buildings that resemble their native cliffs. But so do peregrines.
Flashback: Peregrine falcons nearly went extinct due to pesticide use. In the ’90s, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reintroduced breeding pairs and nest boxes in cities like Columbus.
- The predators came off the threatened list in 2015 and now they’re thriving here.
The evidence: “Our team routinely cleans up pigeon parts,” Ben Barker, Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts operations manager, tells Axios over email.
- “They hunt/dive at extreme speeds and completely decimate the pigeons.”
Between the lines: Pigeons poop — a lot, about every 30 minutes — and the droppings can spread disease and corrode buildings. So them being on the menu isn’t necessarily a bad thing…