Contrary to common belief, Paul insists that pigeons aren’t disease ridden animals. While New Yorkers commonly refer to them as “rats with wings,” Paul, who has adopted the nickname “the Birdman,” has built up quite a relationship with them over the years.
On most days of the week, you can find him sitting on a bench in Washington Square Park surrounded by a loyal flock of pigeons. He keeps a sack of bird feed and a bag of peanuts by his side, which he generously shares with passing pedestrians.
“You can’t catch them,” he said to one toddler, maybe three or four years old, as she chased after a flock.
I watched as he handed the young girl a handful of feed, which attracted a bunch of pigeons towards her. She squealed with delight.
“I’ve been doing this for 14 1/2 years,” Paul later told me. He nonchalantly held up his end of the conversation as a bird nested on his head.
Paul's story began many years ago, during one particularly rough winter season, when he nearly lost everything he had. After dealing with unemployment and landlords tossing him out of his home, he found refuge by sitting alongside a flock of pigeons.
He eventually developed a deep connection with the birds and many are quite loyal to him. He’s even given names to most of them, particularly ones that are identifiable by specific markings on their bodies.
By doing so, Paul has singlehandedly changed the public perception of the birds over the years. Today, he continues to embrace them and share his experience with other New Yorkers and visiting tourists.
Almost everyone gets a thrill out of his pigeon post. “How is this even possible?,” I overheard one teenager say to her friends as she balanced a pigeon on each arm.
“I never even held a bird before. This is such a rush.”
Witnessing her excitement, I approached Paul myself to ask if I could feed them. He smiled at me, took my hand gently in his and dumped a handful of seeds into my palm. He then transferred a pigeon, which had been resting on him, onto my forearm.
I instantly feel in love with my winged companions.
That's how I learned that a pigeon's feet are surprisingly warm — exactly 107 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Paul.
Bet you didn’t know that little fun fact.
