Abstract

For millennia, humans have had an increasingly intimate relationship with pigeons. These birds have been called a wide range of names and served a myriad of purposes alongside their human handlers; however, since the populations of feral rock pigeons have increased in American cities, the general public has ascribed a negative connotation to the pigeons that they were once closely associated with. The increasing populations of pigeons along with their decreasing perceived usefulness to humanity has led to a sharp decline in their image. This thesis aims to examine how the pigeon became so loathed after it was coveted for so much of history, the reason behind the pigeon’s ability to cause such a massive upset among urban populations, and the greater implications that the human-pigeon relationship has for the way humanity exists and interacts with the world. Through an analysis of the art and literature surrounding these time periods, this thesis looks to compare human attitudes between doves and pigeons, considering that both of these birds belong to the same family, but have such a sharp contrast in their acceptance among humans. These different points of analysis can shed light on the changing perceptions of pigeons as well as the behavior of humans towards animals on a subconscious level that many may not consider when interacting with wildlife.

Semester/Year of Award

Fall 2025

Mentor

Tom Butler

Mentor Department Affiliation

English

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Medical Laboratory Science

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