They may be Pests to Some...
But these New York Pigeon Lovers
Say their Bird Collections are Quite a Coop
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By Daily Mail Reporter
They are typically considered
germ-ridden, mangy creatures scrounging off leftovers and good for
nothing but sullying city landmarks.
But
this collection of photos shows pigeons in a whole new light where they
vastly improve New York City's sky and provide some of its inhabitants
with company and happiness.
In the age-old art of pigeon keeping, the birds - all varieties of domestic pigeon - are precious rather than pestilent.
Taking flight: Brooklyn's Bushwick is one of the
hubs of pigeon keeping in New York City; and these photos help show
just why people do it
Ancient art: Brought over to New York by
Italians, the art of pigeon keeping has been practiced around the world
for thousands of years
Where there's a Will there's a way: Willie says he has collected the most pigeons in Bushwick
The stunning pictures, taken by Chris Arnade, are taken from the rooftops of Brooklyn’s Bushwick – one of the hubs of pigeon keeping in New York.
Providing a fascinating
insight into the centuries old tradition of pigeon keeping, the pictures
show the birds’ beauty both as they soar and nestle in their coops.
The keepers – commonly known as pigeon fanciers – must feed and fly their flocks every day.
According to photographer Chris Arnade, the keepers in Bushwick’s Maria Hernandez Park are all men, who are mostly of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent.
Fanciers: Pigeon keepers - or pigeon fanciers - in Bushwick are all men, according to photographer Chris Arnade
Veteran keeper: 86-year-old Johnny has been collecting birds in Bushwick since he was a boy
A natural: Delone was recently taught how to catch and hold pigeons by his Uncle Luis who keeps the birds
Pigeon keeping, which has been practiced for about 10,000 years, was brought to New York City by
Italian immigrants and the city remains a bastion of the sport.
These
men proudly collect, bred and fly their pigeons, which are signaled
back home using flags and whistles. Although, if another keeper manages
to lure one of your birds to his roof, you've typically lost it or will
have to buy it back for a couple of dollars.
The men keep their pigeons in coops on their roofs, where they often have a small office too. The roofs' crucial criteria: they must be flat.
Captured: Jesus, from East Tremont in the Bronx, shows off the pigeon he has just captured to add to his collection
Soaring: After being let out for a fly round, the birds are signaled back with flags and whistles
Golden glow: The birds look beautiful as they take off in the warm glowing sunlight
Read more: Flickr: Pigeon Keepers of NYC
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