They are right in our midst, picking their food in the ground, in front of some malls and grocery stores, apartments’ balconies, homes’ front yards, parks or even right inside the TTC stations.
These birds are part of our grounds and skies; we can see them in droves, busily picking their food, flying in mid-heavens, or resting their feet on some high-tension wires lining the city’s streets.
Oh, what a fantastic sightseeing them walking around the ground, then suddenly, they fly over our heads, moving around the summer’s blue sky, and a few minutes later, they are back on the ground.
These pigeons are fascinating winged birds; consider the variety of colours of the feathers. Although they are beautiful to look at, they can carry diseases which can harm people.
At times, we can see these birds bravely pecking food right beside people, not minding at all what’s happening around them. But they are quick to fly away if they sense some danger.
Because of their gentle appearance, these pigeons are known as “the sheep of the bird world.” No wonder some people love to raise these lovable birds.
Most of the time, we see these flocks of pigeons flying in formation in the sky, and when they temporarily rest at these high-tension wires, all of a sudden, as if getting a cue from their leader, they fly away simultaneously.
Every time I see these pigeons picking whatever stuffs of food they could get in the ground, I remember the admonition given by Jesus Christ for us not to worry too much about our daily needs, he said in Mat 6:26: “ Observe intently the birds of heaven they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more they are?”
In short, Jesus is assuring his followers not to worry about getting their daily life’s necessities.
The by-law says,” don’t feed these pigeons”.
But some people are moved by their kind feelings, thereby spreading those bread crumbs either secretly or in the open in those places where they find most of these birds.
Just like the open space area at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Markham Road, at any time, flocks of pigeons are always present there, moving endlessly in all directions, searching for food to pick up.
What a delight to see these pigeons; it looks like visiting some places in Italy where these birds are abundant.
But for sure, these pigeons are messing up some sidewalks and apartment balconies with their poohs—that is something we have to deal with.
When we transferred to our apartment a few years ago, we found our balcony so messed up, with all these pigeon droppings. However, I found the right way to prevent these birds from returning to our balcony by first cleaning up the area and installing some spikes.
It seems that these birds have a kind of “thinking” because seeing my balcony cleaned of their droppings and those spikes was a clear message to them that they were not welcome at our place.
Despite the pigeons’ mess, I never stop being fascinated by the antics of these birds.
One time, while I was walking the sidewalks going to the Metro Supermarket in Eglinton and Marham Rd. I saw these dry feathers, and I knew it was the only thing left from a dead pigeon.
Looking at those feathers, I felt sad, and in the back of my mind, I realized that in this life, everything will come to an end—what then is new?