I never thought much about feeding pigeons, but as I researched my book I found myself coming back to this topic. Before, I thought feeding pigeons meant tossing a few breadcrumbs in the park. City laws . . . more
I'm the author of Superdove: How the Pigeon Took Manhattan....And the World, published in August by Smithsonian Books/Harper Collins. I'm a freelance writer living in Boston and specializing in science, health, and nature.
Hey Courtney! Did you happen to see "Fringe" last night? Part of the plot involved using pigeons to track a guy with unusual electrical powers! They used facts I'd read in your book to support their theory of using pigeons. I felt smart! LOL
What happens to the bodies of ALL the urban wildlife? Pigeons, mice and rats, Squirrels and stray cats, dogs, etc ?
After over 200 years in cities, like New York------ WHERE are their Hundreds of Thousands + of little urban wildlife carcasses?
They can't ALL be buried in nests or trees by relatives? They surely don't ALL get eaten by wolves, or owls or buzzards (few of which are visibly active in a major CITY).
I know that biological deterioration and decay happens, but it does NOT happen 'overnight', so one would think that you would see urban wildlife in various stages of decay. ----But; You Don't!!
No one I ask knows for sure? Do you? ------THANKS, Hank
Hey Courtney, My friend just finished reading Superdove. (I loaned him my copy.) He found it to be an enjoyable read. I've got to try to get him on here to write a review. Good weekend to you!
Hi Courtney- I took my copy of Superdove to work to share it with a co-worker. Another co-worker saw it and asked if it was the book that was discussed on NPR. He was interested in reading it too. Looks like word is getting out! Congratulations
My comment on your comment about my review of your book:
There was so much more I could have said, I thought you'd be unhappy. But I know that most readers of articles (I mean posts) on gather don't want to spend time reading long posts.
Plus, I don't like book reviews that retell the book. So I didn't.
I think it would be great if you post about Mary Poppins. "Feed the Birds" was my favorite song when I was little.
As for my father's neighbors in Detroit, it's probably illegal to have pigeon coops in Detroit now.
I hope people pick up your book. It's just the right size. And it does make interesting what I didn't think I was interested in. Also, for most of us, it does, as you say, humanize scientists whose names we knew but not much more than we read in textbooks.
Hi! Thanks for the friend add. I look forward to getting to know you. I was in hopes of being chosen to receive a copy of your book Superdove to review. I think it will be neat and educational. My 17 yr old said she would love to read it too. We home school and it would fit right in.
