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A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to Know the World's Most Misunderstood Bird
Part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun.
Pigeons are amazing, and until recently, humans adored them. We've kept them as pets, held pigeon beauty contests, raced them, used them to carry messages over battlefields, harvested their poop to fertilize our crops—and cooked them in gourmet dishes. Now, with A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, listeners can rediscover the wonder. Equal parts field guide and quirky history, it covers Why they coo; how they flock; how they preen, kiss, and mate (monogamously); and how they raise their young (on chunky pigeon milk). Anatomy and identification, from Birmingham Roller to the American Giant Runt to the Scandaroon. Birder issues, like what to do if you find a baby pigeon stranded in the park. And our lively shared story together, including all the things we've taught them—Ping-Pong, for example. "Rats with wings?" Think again.
Pigeons coo, peck and nest all over the world, yet most of us treat them with indifference or disdain. So Rosemary Mosco, a bird-lover, science communicator, writer, and cartoonist, is here to give the pigeon's image a makeover, and to help every town- and city-dweller get closer to nature by discovering the joys of birding through pigeon-watching.
Pigeons are amazing, and until recently, humans adored them. We've kept them as pets, held pigeon beauty contests, raced them, used them to carry messages over battlefields, harvested their poop to fertilize our crops—and cooked them in gourmet dishes. Now, with A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, listeners can rediscover the wonder. Equal parts field guide and quirky history, it covers Why they coo; how they flock; how they preen, kiss, and mate (monogamously); and how they raise their young (on chunky pigeon milk). Anatomy and identification, from Birmingham Roller to the American Giant Runt to the Scandaroon. Birder issues, like what to do if you find a baby pigeon stranded in the park. And our lively shared story together, including all the things we've taught them—Ping-Pong, for example. "Rats with wings?" Think again.
Pigeons coo, peck and nest all over the world, yet most of us treat them with indifference or disdain. So Rosemary Mosco, a bird-lover, science communicator, writer, and cartoonist, is here to give the pigeon's image a makeover, and to help every town- and city-dweller get closer to nature by discovering the joys of birding through pigeon-watching.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2021
200 people are currently reading
2119 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Mosco
23 books154 followersRosemary makes books and cartoons that connect people with the natural world. Her Bird and Moon nature comics won the National Cartoonists Society’s award for Best Online Short Form Comic and were the subject of an award-winning museum exhibit. She makes best-selling science books for kids and adults and gives keynotes at birding festivals. She’s written and drawn for The New York Times, Audubon, PBS kids’ Elinor Wonders Why, Ranger Rick, and more. She’s represented by Seth Fishman. Her favorite glacial landform is the esker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
January 22, 2022
Here’s the thing about pigeons: if you’re one of those people who hate them and think of them as “flying rats”, well tough, because it’s our own fault. Pigeons aren’t wild animals who have taken to living in our towns, like urban foxes say; they are domesticated animals, like dogs and cows, some of which have escaped, been abandoned or deliberately released. They were domesticated, most likely somewhere in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East, thousands of years ago and throughout almost all of human history ever since have been liked, valued, admired, at times revered. Alongside the dog and the horse, they have been one of our favourite companions on this planet.
To a lot of people they still are of course. Charles Darwin loved them (much of Chapter One of On the Origin of Species is devoted to them), as did Pablo Picasso who not only painted them but named his daughter after them (Paloma, his “little dove”); the Mughal emperor Akbar, Queen Victoria, inventor Nikola Tesla, painters Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, head of the fashion house Maurizio Gucci, Yul Brynner and Walt Disney—pigeon fanciers all. To others though, and only during the last thin sliver of our history, they have suddenly morphed into something very different.
This new negative view of them probably explains why books about feral pigeons are so few and far between, and Rosemary Mosco has helped plug the gap. A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching covers Columba livia’s own history (i.e. their dinosaur ancestry); their anatomy and behaviour; the varieties, colours and markings; their part in our history; and also highlighted an absurdity, namely, that many people have a positive reaction to the word “dove” but a negative one to the word “pigeon”—in fact pigeons are doves, and the doves released at weddings, peace rallies and sports events are white pigeons. I liked everything: the illustrations (a delight; Mosco is also a cartoonist), the info (thorough) and the writing style (bright, lively, funny). It also confirmed an opinion I’d been coming to myself just watching pigeons: what unusual and extraordinarily capable birds these are. They’re brilliant fliers (and need to be, the peregrine falcon being the fastest predator on Earth) but can do endurance too (600 miles in a day); they can sense the planet’s magnetic field and see both ultraviolet and the direction of polarised light; and the Columbidae are a third family of highly social and intelligent birds alongside the corvids and the parrots.
So what happened, why have so many people fallen out of love with them? The pigeons haven’t changed, it’s us who have suddenly changed, during that final sliver of our own history abandoning the countryside for the city en masse, exchanging woods and fields for concrete. And the dove of peace turning into the flying rat maybe says more about what we’ve done to ourselves than it does about these formerly appreciated, and now horribly maligned, little birds.
To a lot of people they still are of course. Charles Darwin loved them (much of Chapter One of On the Origin of Species is devoted to them), as did Pablo Picasso who not only painted them but named his daughter after them (Paloma, his “little dove”); the Mughal emperor Akbar, Queen Victoria, inventor Nikola Tesla, painters Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, head of the fashion house Maurizio Gucci, Yul Brynner and Walt Disney—pigeon fanciers all. To others though, and only during the last thin sliver of our history, they have suddenly morphed into something very different.
This new negative view of them probably explains why books about feral pigeons are so few and far between, and Rosemary Mosco has helped plug the gap. A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching covers Columba livia’s own history (i.e. their dinosaur ancestry); their anatomy and behaviour; the varieties, colours and markings; their part in our history; and also highlighted an absurdity, namely, that many people have a positive reaction to the word “dove” but a negative one to the word “pigeon”—in fact pigeons are doves, and the doves released at weddings, peace rallies and sports events are white pigeons. I liked everything: the illustrations (a delight; Mosco is also a cartoonist), the info (thorough) and the writing style (bright, lively, funny). It also confirmed an opinion I’d been coming to myself just watching pigeons: what unusual and extraordinarily capable birds these are. They’re brilliant fliers (and need to be, the peregrine falcon being the fastest predator on Earth) but can do endurance too (600 miles in a day); they can sense the planet’s magnetic field and see both ultraviolet and the direction of polarised light; and the Columbidae are a third family of highly social and intelligent birds alongside the corvids and the parrots.
So what happened, why have so many people fallen out of love with them? The pigeons haven’t changed, it’s us who have suddenly changed, during that final sliver of our own history abandoning the countryside for the city en masse, exchanging woods and fields for concrete. And the dove of peace turning into the flying rat maybe says more about what we’ve done to ourselves than it does about these formerly appreciated, and now horribly maligned, little birds.
January 18, 2025
ادبیات کتاب رو دوست داشتم، کمدی جالبی داشت. از اون طرف گریزهای بی ربط و با ربطی به چیزای دیگه میزد وسطش و در نهایت کلی چیز یاد گرفتم ازش.
راجع به بیولوژی و انواع و نژادهای کفترها گفته بود و بعد از رفتارشناسیشون، به بررسی اثرشون روی فرهنگها و داستانها و نمادها هم پرداخته بود.
خوندن کتاب خیلی برام طول کشید چون هم تکه تکه خوندمش و اکثرا همراهم نبود که بخونمش، ولی خوش میگذشت خوندنش. اگه تصمیمم به تمام کردن این نیمه باز رها شدههام نبود احتمالا حالا حالا ها هم تمومش نمیکردم.
ازش زیاد نوت برداشتم شاید اگه بشینم مرتب کنم یا ترجمه کنم بیام بعدا اینجا اضافه کنم اما فعلا فقط همینا بمونه.
تو کتاب راجع به انواع کفتر ها گفته بود، بعد راجع به آناتومی و فیزیولوژی بدنشون. چیزهای تاریخی مرتبط هم گفته بود من جمله اینا که: اکبر پادشاه مغول یه چیز حدود ۲۰۰۰۰ کفتر داشته و باعث شده کفتربازی جزو ورزش های رده بالا محسوب بشه.
یا جایگاه کفتر تو انگلیس چه مدلیه و چطور با داستان سرایی راجع به پرنده ها یه سریشون رو از انقراض نجات دادن.
از ساختار بدنشون یه سری نکات رو بنویسم بمونه:
گلبول قرمز های انسان و پرنده از نظر ظاهری هم تفاوت دارند، برا پرنده ها هم بزرگ تره هم پررنگ تره و هم بیضی شکله.
راجع به شیر پرنده ها چیزی شنیده بودید؟ هر دو جنس نر و ماده تولید میکنندش.
مغز کفتر ها تو زمینه هایی بسیار خفنه و تو زمینه هایی بسیار خنگه. مثلاً تو زمینه کاگنیشن خیلی خنگن، در این حد که بچه ی خودشون رو تا وقتی بتونه پرواز کنه نمیتونن افتراق بدن از باقی بچه ها. بعد این ابله ها، میتونن خودشون رو تو فیلم ها تشخیص بدن.
بخدا اگه بدونم چه مدلی تست میکنن این ها رو ولی کلی چیز نوشته بود بهش رسیدن که عجیب تر از این هم بود توشون: پینگ پنگ بازی کنن، سبک های نقاشی مختلف رو تشخیص بدن، یا رقص و اینا رو افتراق بدن.
راجع به مغز پرنده ها به طور کلی گفته بود که همهشون شناختیشون ضعیف نیست، زاغ و کلاغ و raven ها بخش کاگنیتیو مغزشون خیلی خفنه؛ در حدی که یه سریشون میتونن ابزار بسازن(حالا در حد خود پرنده ها دیگه.)
دلیل کله زدن کفتر ها اینه که چشمشون نمیتونه مدل ما فوکس کنه رو چیزی و اینا باید با تنظیم فاصله (همون سر جلو عقب بردنشون) فوکس کنن تا بتونن چیزی ببینند.
۱۴۰۳
راجع به بیولوژی و انواع و نژادهای کفترها گفته بود و بعد از رفتارشناسیشون، به بررسی اثرشون روی فرهنگها و داستانها و نمادها هم پرداخته بود.
خوندن کتاب خیلی برام طول کشید چون هم تکه تکه خوندمش و اکثرا همراهم نبود که بخونمش، ولی خوش میگذشت خوندنش. اگه تصمیمم به تمام کردن این نیمه باز رها شدههام نبود احتمالا حالا حالا ها هم تمومش نمیکردم.
ازش زیاد نوت برداشتم شاید اگه بشینم مرتب کنم یا ترجمه کنم بیام بعدا اینجا اضافه کنم اما فعلا فقط همینا بمونه.
تو کتاب راجع به انواع کفتر ها گفته بود، بعد راجع به آناتومی و فیزیولوژی بدنشون. چیزهای تاریخی مرتبط هم گفته بود من جمله اینا که: اکبر پادشاه مغول یه چیز حدود ۲۰۰۰۰ کفتر داشته و باعث شده کفتربازی جزو ورزش های رده بالا محسوب بشه.
یا جایگاه کفتر تو انگلیس چه مدلیه و چطور با داستان سرایی راجع به پرنده ها یه سریشون رو از انقراض نجات دادن.
از ساختار بدنشون یه سری نکات رو بنویسم بمونه:
گلبول قرمز های انسان و پرنده از نظر ظاهری هم تفاوت دارند، برا پرنده ها هم بزرگ تره هم پررنگ تره و هم بیضی شکله.
راجع به شیر پرنده ها چیزی شنیده بودید؟ هر دو جنس نر و ماده تولید میکنندش.
مغز کفتر ها تو زمینه هایی بسیار خفنه و تو زمینه هایی بسیار خنگه. مثلاً تو زمینه کاگنیشن خیلی خنگن، در این حد که بچه ی خودشون رو تا وقتی بتونه پرواز کنه نمیتونن افتراق بدن از باقی بچه ها. بعد این ابله ها، میتونن خودشون رو تو فیلم ها تشخیص بدن.
بخدا اگه بدونم چه مدلی تست میکنن این ها رو ولی کلی چیز نوشته بود بهش رسیدن که عجیب تر از این هم بود توشون: پینگ پنگ بازی کنن، سبک های نقاشی مختلف رو تشخیص بدن، یا رقص و اینا رو افتراق بدن.
راجع به مغز پرنده ها به طور کلی گفته بود که همهشون شناختیشون ضعیف نیست، زاغ و کلاغ و raven ها بخش کاگنیتیو مغزشون خیلی خفنه؛ در حدی که یه سریشون میتونن ابزار بسازن(حالا در حد خود پرنده ها دیگه.)
دلیل کله زدن کفتر ها اینه که چشمشون نمیتونه مدل ما فوکس کنه رو چیزی و اینا باید با تنظیم فاصله (همون سر جلو عقب بردنشون) فوکس کنن تا بتونن چیزی ببینند.
۱۴۰۳
August 25, 2021
"The bobbing is an illusion. That pigeon isn't actually bobbing its head back and forth--it's doing something weirder. [...] For a pigeon, the most efficient way to keep tabs on its environment is to shoot its head forward at lightning speed, fix its gaze on something, and keep its head locked in place while its body catches up. So, a pigeon isn't really bobbing its head back and forth; it just looks like it's bobbing because the head moves forward and then the body moves forward to meet it" (146).
February 15, 2023
am now a pigeon apologist
November 1, 2021
An unexpectedly fun read. Pigeons. That's what the book is about. Pigeons. Of those things that live out there *waves in a random direction*, I can't say that I've developed much in the way of love or hate for pigeons. They are just there. Cooing. Pooing on me (once).
Despite this opinion on pigeons, none other than "damn, one pooed on me", I tried this book. All because of a comment I saw on Twitter. Tried sample. Bought book. Read something else (I was in the middle of something else at the time). Then devoured this book once I turned to it.
Fun, funny, interesting, illuminating book. How much did I like it? Only 50% into the book, I acquired two physical copies to give out for Christmas.
Will you like the book random person reading my review? No clue. There's a kind of flippant attitude to the writing, I liked it but others might not. I guess. Possibly. The subject matter is pigeons. Why people should care about them. Why they seem to be all around us. How they are actually out there because of us (we domesticated them, traveled around with them, released them into places they hadn't existed before (like North America)); why would we domesticate them? Why do people (some) not remember this tidbit? How many won military medals (a few, seriously)?
So, interested? Yes, no? Eh, not sure I would have been, but I read and really liked.
Rating: 5.0
November 1 2021
Despite this opinion on pigeons, none other than "damn, one pooed on me", I tried this book. All because of a comment I saw on Twitter. Tried sample. Bought book. Read something else (I was in the middle of something else at the time). Then devoured this book once I turned to it.
Fun, funny, interesting, illuminating book. How much did I like it? Only 50% into the book, I acquired two physical copies to give out for Christmas.
Will you like the book random person reading my review? No clue. There's a kind of flippant attitude to the writing, I liked it but others might not. I guess. Possibly. The subject matter is pigeons. Why people should care about them. Why they seem to be all around us. How they are actually out there because of us (we domesticated them, traveled around with them, released them into places they hadn't existed before (like North America)); why would we domesticate them? Why do people (some) not remember this tidbit? How many won military medals (a few, seriously)?
So, interested? Yes, no? Eh, not sure I would have been, but I read and really liked.
Rating: 5.0
November 1 2021
February 20, 2022
In this short and entertaining read, Mosco writes about pigeons: their relationship to humans, their history, their anatomy and behavior, the various breeds of domesticated pigeons, the sorts of patterns and colors you might spot among feral pigeons, and how to help pigeons (stringfoot, spotting lost pets among feral pigeons, catching an injured pigeon, etc.). The book wraps up with a chapter on the sorts of animals you might begin to spot once you've become comfortable watching pigeons/doves.
I'm not a bird watcher, and I'm not particularly a fan of pigeons, although I don't hate them either. I now live in an area where I'm more likely to see doves (probably mourning doves?) than feral pigeons, but, growing up in Germany, I remember seeing the flocks of feral pigeons in my mom's hometown. I wish I'd had this book back then - I wonder what sorts of interesting things I'd have noticed?
I bought this primarily because I've read and enjoyed several of Mosco's Bird and Moon comics. I figured that, at the very least, it'd be an easy library donation once I finished it. Now I've finally read it, and it was delightful. Despite my horrific lack of shelf space, I doubt I'll be offloading it anytime soon.
This book contains no photographs, only Mosco's drawings, but those are charming and well-done enough that I mostly didn't mind. The only times I found myself looking up photos was when I wanted a better visual of the difference between check and t-check patterned birds, and when I wanted a better look at particular pigeon breeds. And of course some pigeons, like rollers, have characteristics that are best communicated in videos.
Mosco's interest in pigeons, bird watching, and nature were infectious. The writing was aimed at readers who might only have vague memories of their high school science classes, so some of the explanations of things like pigeon genetics were a bit simplistic for my tastes, but overall this was an enjoyable and interesting read. I very much appreciated the annotated "Further Reading" section and would like to try out several of the books Mosco mentions.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
I'm not a bird watcher, and I'm not particularly a fan of pigeons, although I don't hate them either. I now live in an area where I'm more likely to see doves (probably mourning doves?) than feral pigeons, but, growing up in Germany, I remember seeing the flocks of feral pigeons in my mom's hometown. I wish I'd had this book back then - I wonder what sorts of interesting things I'd have noticed?
I bought this primarily because I've read and enjoyed several of Mosco's Bird and Moon comics. I figured that, at the very least, it'd be an easy library donation once I finished it. Now I've finally read it, and it was delightful. Despite my horrific lack of shelf space, I doubt I'll be offloading it anytime soon.
This book contains no photographs, only Mosco's drawings, but those are charming and well-done enough that I mostly didn't mind. The only times I found myself looking up photos was when I wanted a better visual of the difference between check and t-check patterned birds, and when I wanted a better look at particular pigeon breeds. And of course some pigeons, like rollers, have characteristics that are best communicated in videos.
Mosco's interest in pigeons, bird watching, and nature were infectious. The writing was aimed at readers who might only have vague memories of their high school science classes, so some of the explanations of things like pigeon genetics were a bit simplistic for my tastes, but overall this was an enjoyable and interesting read. I very much appreciated the annotated "Further Reading" section and would like to try out several of the books Mosco mentions.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
April 13, 2022
Quick fun read but could have been much better. My main gripe is so much presumably interesting information missing here: comparison of different pigeon populations by great city (London vs. New York?); placement of the dove/pigeon within the phylogenetic tree of birds; actual, honest assessment of pigeon IQ relative to other birds; and notable scientific debates among peristerologists. Also the sense of humor here is pretty lame throughout. That said, there were some gems of information, such as the different phenotypes of feather patterns on pigeons (and the rank order of their alleles in genetic dominion). Worth a quick read and a fun book to have on your shelf in case someone from the burbs is visiting your NYC apartment.
July 18, 2025
now i can annoy people with even more pigeon facts
December 7, 2024
Maaaan I love pigeons
Stop treating them badly 🥲❤️🩹 and read this book to understand how awesome they are 🐦
Stop treating them badly 🥲❤️🩹 and read this book to understand how awesome they are 🐦
December 30, 2025
what a lovely, funny and warm-hearted introduction to the world of feral pigeons! 🐦
April 23, 2022
I love pigeons. This book loves pigeons. Therefore, I love this book. Is it a true 5 star read? Debatable, but the commitment to the lil' goofballs means it deserves it. I've always summed up my love for pigeons with a simple, "They think they're people!" (A phrase this book uses as well) I love the way they bob their heads and ride the subway, and after reading this I've more convinced that they ARE people. They're remarkably adaptable, trading their more traditional cliffside homes for nooks in manmade structures. They carry messages and build messy nests, get jealous easily, clean themselves, and have lived alongside humans just as long as dogs and rats.
On the book, its great. It's very informative, though you could probably skip the quick re-hashes of high school biology (just not the pictures) as it makes everything easy for the layman. Most importantly, though I'm not very familiar with pigeon literature, this one certainly must be the funniest. There's so much glee and many hilarious jokes dotted around that can make reading about bird genetics and coloration surprisingly interesting.
That being said, if you're not interested in pigeons, you might not find it interesting. Rather, take this as an opportunity to learn something new. Maybe not just about birds, but about yourself.
"It's a hard world, sometimes you just need to look at a soft bird"
I'm not sure why I wrote such a big review for this one. Pigeons are cool
The Scandaroon/10
On the book, its great. It's very informative, though you could probably skip the quick re-hashes of high school biology (just not the pictures) as it makes everything easy for the layman. Most importantly, though I'm not very familiar with pigeon literature, this one certainly must be the funniest. There's so much glee and many hilarious jokes dotted around that can make reading about bird genetics and coloration surprisingly interesting.
That being said, if you're not interested in pigeons, you might not find it interesting. Rather, take this as an opportunity to learn something new. Maybe not just about birds, but about yourself.
"It's a hard world, sometimes you just need to look at a soft bird"
I'm not sure why I wrote such a big review for this one. Pigeons are cool
The Scandaroon/10
March 31, 2022
READ THIS BOOK! Part science, part history, with perfect humor, WONDERFUL illustrations, and covering the breadth of the topic in a fun way that feeds into our human curiosity and interconnection to the world around us...this book is/has everything!!! It is a real joy, and one to be picked up by all types of readers in my opinion (even if they aren't pigeons lovers at the start, like me). This was one of the best non-fiction books I have had the pleasure of reading in a while, chock full of information but anything but boring and dense. Highly recommend!
August 28, 2024
every pigeon is a treasure
October 24, 2025
Esse livro é tão, tão lindo.
A autora é divulgadora científica e ilustradora maravilhosa. Parece que faz cartum também.
Me emocionei algumas vezes, pois pobrezinhos dos pombos, todos eles. Eu já não tinha o ranço comum, mas agora eu AMO os pombo.
A estratégia de ilustrar bem, constantemente, e até coisas inúteis que não acrescentam nada ao quadro geral do "o que é isto um pombo" foi o que mais me ganhou. Ilustrações [à la naturalistas] mais fofinhas e menos realistas em vez de reproduções de fotografias: acho que isso ajuda qualquer um a se aproximar dos tópicos, ainda que os mais ... escatológicos. Fora que a autora toda hora quer ser engraçadona. Metida à witty. Esse livro seria facilmente um vídeo de uns 30 minutos do Kurzgesag, pelo estilo da exposição e da arte.
Passa pela história da domesticação dos pombos, seus usos, o respeito que a prática tinha. Passa pela biologia eles, o ciclo de vida, como se relacionam. TUDO. E até umas poucas e boas linhas gerais sobre saúde nossa (não representam um perigo significativo pra humanos, se não contar as fezes) e deles, bem como a interação com outras aves de rapina. Gostei que muitas vezes ela apresenta algum fenômeno e diz: a ciência não tem ideia de como isso funciona, ou por que isso ocorre. Divulgação científica das galáxias. Dá vontade de a gente mesmo dar continuidade à pesquisa.
Infelizmente passou também pelo aspecto - praticamente NADA criticado por ela [se o foi] - das "raças" que os criadores selecionam [como em cachorros, é a mesma espécie, mas a variação é interna à espécie Columba livia ]. Tem um tipo de pombo que é tão cruel, são tão inumanas as alterações e deformidades que impõem ao bicho, que o que eu queria que essa gente sofresse não se publica na internet. Não dá pra dizer que ama os animais e querer ficar bem na fita com esses filho da puta que fazem maldade genética em animais. Ainda mais "pra bonito".
No fim, eu gosto ainda mais dos pombos e sinto que a leitura me deu palavras e novos olhos pra observar o pouco de natureza que de modo geral nós temos acesso, morando em grandes cidades.
Como a autora lembra, nos faz bem aprender a se importar com criaturas tidas como "inferiores".
A autora é divulgadora científica e ilustradora maravilhosa. Parece que faz cartum também.
Me emocionei algumas vezes, pois pobrezinhos dos pombos, todos eles. Eu já não tinha o ranço comum, mas agora eu AMO os pombo.
A estratégia de ilustrar bem, constantemente, e até coisas inúteis que não acrescentam nada ao quadro geral do "o que é isto um pombo" foi o que mais me ganhou. Ilustrações [à la naturalistas] mais fofinhas e menos realistas em vez de reproduções de fotografias: acho que isso ajuda qualquer um a se aproximar dos tópicos, ainda que os mais ... escatológicos. Fora que a autora toda hora quer ser engraçadona. Metida à witty. Esse livro seria facilmente um vídeo de uns 30 minutos do Kurzgesag, pelo estilo da exposição e da arte.
Passa pela história da domesticação dos pombos, seus usos, o respeito que a prática tinha. Passa pela biologia eles, o ciclo de vida, como se relacionam. TUDO. E até umas poucas e boas linhas gerais sobre saúde nossa (não representam um perigo significativo pra humanos, se não contar as fezes) e deles, bem como a interação com outras aves de rapina. Gostei que muitas vezes ela apresenta algum fenômeno e diz: a ciência não tem ideia de como isso funciona, ou por que isso ocorre. Divulgação científica das galáxias. Dá vontade de a gente mesmo dar continuidade à pesquisa.
Infelizmente passou também pelo aspecto - praticamente NADA criticado por ela [se o foi] - das "raças" que os criadores selecionam [como em cachorros, é a mesma espécie, mas a variação é interna à espécie Columba livia ]. Tem um tipo de pombo que é tão cruel, são tão inumanas as alterações e deformidades que impõem ao bicho, que o que eu queria que essa gente sofresse não se publica na internet. Não dá pra dizer que ama os animais e querer ficar bem na fita com esses filho da puta que fazem maldade genética em animais. Ainda mais "pra bonito".
No fim, eu gosto ainda mais dos pombos e sinto que a leitura me deu palavras e novos olhos pra observar o pouco de natureza que de modo geral nós temos acesso, morando em grandes cidades.
Como a autora lembra, nos faz bem aprender a se importar com criaturas tidas como "inferiores".
July 14, 2025
i'm not a big bird fan, never took the time to learn much about them but recently became interested in the history of pigeons and wanting to know more about what their deal is basically
this was the perfect book about it, informative, easy to follow, fun and with cute imagery
"when we begin to care about creatures that most people think are lowly, we become better people. we weave ourselves more tightly into the tapestry of the world around us and we arm ourselves for the fight to save the world."
left wing people (haha pun) you heard it here first, be nice to your local pigeons and rats it's a political issue
this was the perfect book about it, informative, easy to follow, fun and with cute imagery
"when we begin to care about creatures that most people think are lowly, we become better people. we weave ourselves more tightly into the tapestry of the world around us and we arm ourselves for the fight to save the world."
left wing people (haha pun) you heard it here first, be nice to your local pigeons and rats it's a political issue
May 13, 2025
This book has inspired me to make an epic painting with a bunch of pigeons. All I need is a perfect flock of pigeons, a goal for this summer.
So I guess this pigeon book has changed my life.
So I guess this pigeon book has changed my life.
May 11, 2025
an absolute romp
April 18, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely fantastic all around.
I came to this book as a pretty big pigeon fan already, so I didn’t personally need further convincing that pigeons are incredible. However, the book was so informative and enthusiastic about pigeons that I am making a commitment to stanning pigeons even more actively.
The author handles the subject with scientific rigour and historical awareness while keeping a very light, fun and enthusiastic tone throughout. It’s incredibly accessible and presents complex information in a very simple manner. When new words pop up, she tells you how they’re pronounced, and she explains complex topics from the ground up (for instance, instead of assuming readers will remember their biology classes from school or pointing them elsewhere for an explanation, a short primer on genetics is included before the section on pigeon genetics). I think this accessibility is one of the strongest points of the book. Even if you’re familiar with some of the topics beforehand, the explanations are so brief and simple (without sacrificing accuracy!) it feels like a welcome refresher instead of something boring you are reading through but already know. Even though the book does have a slight American flavour, luckily effort has been made to make it totally relevant for a more international audience. If pigeons are around you (and odds are they are), this will be relevant!
The illustrations are just perfect, really, working efficiently to accurately show particular points of pigeon anatomy and behaviour without losing any of the personality of pigeons, and often adding funny elements. The colours are absolutely gorgeous, and the style is so consistent throughout. So impressed by the visual aspects of this book (including layout and general design).
My only criticism is that I thought it presented (in)breeding in a very neutral way even when describing certain breeds as literally incapable of feeding their young or flying. I would have liked an explicitly critical approach to some of the more clearly iffy aspects of the selective breeding of sentient animals, but still, based on the general tone and some comments about us having a moral responsibility to treat animals humanely, especially those that exist because of out domestication and breeding, I think the author’s ethics would align with mine there. I’m so used to naturalists being dismissive about or downright hateful of urban wildlife that the author’s tone, enthusiasm and compassion for pigeons was very welcome and refreshing, especially when it’s clearly in no way incompatible with her scientific approach.
I liked it so much I’ll probably pick up a paper copy when it’s published. I think it would make a great gift too, for teens and adults alike.
I’d love to see this author tackle (urban) gulls in a similar manner!
Absolutely fantastic all around.
I came to this book as a pretty big pigeon fan already, so I didn’t personally need further convincing that pigeons are incredible. However, the book was so informative and enthusiastic about pigeons that I am making a commitment to stanning pigeons even more actively.
The author handles the subject with scientific rigour and historical awareness while keeping a very light, fun and enthusiastic tone throughout. It’s incredibly accessible and presents complex information in a very simple manner. When new words pop up, she tells you how they’re pronounced, and she explains complex topics from the ground up (for instance, instead of assuming readers will remember their biology classes from school or pointing them elsewhere for an explanation, a short primer on genetics is included before the section on pigeon genetics). I think this accessibility is one of the strongest points of the book. Even if you’re familiar with some of the topics beforehand, the explanations are so brief and simple (without sacrificing accuracy!) it feels like a welcome refresher instead of something boring you are reading through but already know. Even though the book does have a slight American flavour, luckily effort has been made to make it totally relevant for a more international audience. If pigeons are around you (and odds are they are), this will be relevant!
The illustrations are just perfect, really, working efficiently to accurately show particular points of pigeon anatomy and behaviour without losing any of the personality of pigeons, and often adding funny elements. The colours are absolutely gorgeous, and the style is so consistent throughout. So impressed by the visual aspects of this book (including layout and general design).
My only criticism is that I thought it presented (in)breeding in a very neutral way even when describing certain breeds as literally incapable of feeding their young or flying. I would have liked an explicitly critical approach to some of the more clearly iffy aspects of the selective breeding of sentient animals, but still, based on the general tone and some comments about us having a moral responsibility to treat animals humanely, especially those that exist because of out domestication and breeding, I think the author’s ethics would align with mine there. I’m so used to naturalists being dismissive about or downright hateful of urban wildlife that the author’s tone, enthusiasm and compassion for pigeons was very welcome and refreshing, especially when it’s clearly in no way incompatible with her scientific approach.
I liked it so much I’ll probably pick up a paper copy when it’s published. I think it would make a great gift too, for teens and adults alike.
I’d love to see this author tackle (urban) gulls in a similar manner!
March 6, 2022
There's a neighbour above who loves to feed pidgeons every morning. Not that I will suddenly stop chasing them away after reading this one, but it was nice to get to know why they are so annoying.
November 26, 2021
Five stars!
Interesting and entertaining guide to all things pigeons. I've always felt that pigeons got a bad rap, and now, thanks to Rosemary Mosco and her book "A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching", I feel a bit vindicated. The book is definitely aimed at the middle school aged reader, but even as an adult I learned so much about this fascinating bird. I had no idea how pervasive or varied pigeons are. There is some form of the bird on nearly every continent, and while most of us think of the common domestic pigeon (or rock dove) when we think of a pigeon, some of them are very unique and quite beautiful. The author makes what could be a dry, tedious book into a fun, engaging read, covering everything from genetics and anatomy to domestication and behaviors. Her enthusiasm is contagious -- I don't think I shall ever look at a pigeon in quite the same way again! Definitely recommended for anyone with any interest in nature, birds or birdwatching.
I am so grateful to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching.
Interesting and entertaining guide to all things pigeons. I've always felt that pigeons got a bad rap, and now, thanks to Rosemary Mosco and her book "A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching", I feel a bit vindicated. The book is definitely aimed at the middle school aged reader, but even as an adult I learned so much about this fascinating bird. I had no idea how pervasive or varied pigeons are. There is some form of the bird on nearly every continent, and while most of us think of the common domestic pigeon (or rock dove) when we think of a pigeon, some of them are very unique and quite beautiful. The author makes what could be a dry, tedious book into a fun, engaging read, covering everything from genetics and anatomy to domestication and behaviors. Her enthusiasm is contagious -- I don't think I shall ever look at a pigeon in quite the same way again! Definitely recommended for anyone with any interest in nature, birds or birdwatching.
I am so grateful to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching.
February 6, 2022
Fun and quirky with lots of interesting information. This is a great example of how delivery and details make a book on a seemingly random topic interesting.
November 26, 2021
3.5 stars.
A wonderful introduction to pigeons and birdwatching in general! I have not grown up around pigeons, but I still was able to gain a great appreciation for their unique traits and also see how some of these general pigeon/dove family traits manifest in my local family of mourning doves. They're such sweet pudgy birbs to watch that I'm sure if I ever lived in a city, I'd adore the pigeons just as much... if nothing else for their spectacular color variations! Mosco details the genetics behind these pretty colors and fancy feathers, as well as going into pigeon-keeping history, how they came to be feral birds, and provides a detailed section on how to "read" pigeon language. She also provides a brief epilogue on how to apply some basic bird watching skills towards watching other common birds, so this makes a perfect gift for the beginning city birdwatcher.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
A wonderful introduction to pigeons and birdwatching in general! I have not grown up around pigeons, but I still was able to gain a great appreciation for their unique traits and also see how some of these general pigeon/dove family traits manifest in my local family of mourning doves. They're such sweet pudgy birbs to watch that I'm sure if I ever lived in a city, I'd adore the pigeons just as much... if nothing else for their spectacular color variations! Mosco details the genetics behind these pretty colors and fancy feathers, as well as going into pigeon-keeping history, how they came to be feral birds, and provides a detailed section on how to "read" pigeon language. She also provides a brief epilogue on how to apply some basic bird watching skills towards watching other common birds, so this makes a perfect gift for the beginning city birdwatcher.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
August 16, 2022
A fun and wonderful book about pigeons, I learned SO SO much about them and I love it! Now I want to watch some pigeons and maybe consider them not so flying ratty. XD
June 6, 2025
4.5 i’ll love pigeons enough for all of us
January 25, 2026
Love it, learned a lot! Have been spouting off pigeon facts for the last 2 weeks. (Did you know that the mom AND dad produce milk for their young??)
June 1, 2022
Cute cute cute!
Interesting as hell!
Read it!
Coo!
Interesting as hell!
Read it!
Coo!
July 27, 2025
4.5/5
July 14, 2024
This book was funny and informative. Perfect beach read!
June 17, 2023
as a pigeon owner I though I knew pigeons pretty thoroughly but I actually learned a lot! what intrigued me the most was how valuable pigeons were to humans not too long ago in the span of history and yet now they’re seen as pests. I understand the issues pigeons can pose but it always surprises me how humans fail to realize that we are the ones who scattered pigeons across the world en masse. I have to say, the blurbs on this book are super impressive. mary roach? SIBLEY?? now I’m trying to learn the different pigeon feather patterns on site. always more to learn!
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