Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Alas! Another Strike Against the Pigeon!
Share:
by Karen Hatter | August 23, 2007 at 07:08 pm
1347 views | 19 Recommendations | 14 comments
Photos
Although not blaming pigeons for the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, their connection to helping to erode the bridge structure, erosion that has been documented for decades, has been named as a factor.
Pigeon droppings contain ammonia and acids. If the droppings are not washed away, when it dries it turns to concentrated salt. When wet, the water, salt and ammonia combine to cause a reaction that can rust the steel in the bridge.
For the original story, click here.
Author
Crowd Power
striatic
Seattle, Washington, United States
O Caritas
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
ravenwhois
Gastonia, North Carolina, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 06:42 on August 24th, 2007
The world is full of structures that have gotten pigeon-bombed for hundreds of years, so I'm not sure that bird poop can effectively be blamed... though I'm not saying it's not worth taking into account!
Also, pigeons can independently focus their eyes in two different directions, which would make them awesome in a John Woo movie.
at 08:43 on August 24th, 2007
Yeah, Jordan, I think the 'blame the pigeons' thing is pushing it a bit!
at 06:51 on August 24th, 2007
Oh my -- if that's true, that bodes very ill for the structural integrity of pretty much every building in New York City...
at 08:46 on August 24th, 2007
You're right about that, Brian! This also bodes ill for all other major urban cities throughout the States and the world!
at 07:17 on August 24th, 2007
Karen, good stuff that no doubt will be controversial in structure analysis circles. The idea of pigeon poop chemically altering and then rusting away structures...mind-boogling. Thanks!
at 08:48 on August 24th, 2007
When I read this, PEP, I thought about the rationale that blames cow farts for destroying the ozone layer! All of our industrial emissions are minor compared to all of those cows farting!
at 07:51 on August 24th, 2007
Gertrude Stein wrote these lyrics for the opera, Four Saints in Three Acts:
"Pigeons on the grass alas.
Pigeons on the grass alas.
Short longer grass longer shorter
yellow grass. Pigeons large pigeons
the shorter longer yellow grass alas
pigeons on the grass.
If they were not pigeons what were they."
What would she have written about the bridge alas?
Pigeons don't kill people: people who don't wash and maintain bridges do alas.
at 09:13 on August 24th, 2007
Thank you, Denseatoms, for sharing that 'Ode to the Pigeon'! Many years ago, I rented an apartment on the seventh floor. Before I decided to move in, I was shown around the place. Outside my second bedroom/den, which was my plan for the room, was a balcony.
As the building manager and I looked out onto the balcony, I noticed a nest in the corner, close to the wall, with two eggs in it. The manager hurriedly assured me the nest would be removed. I informed him I did not want the nest disturbed until the pigeons were no longer using it. He looked at me like I'd lost my mind!
at 11:29 on August 24th, 2007
I'm on your side with this one. Pigeonhood, in and of itself, is not a crime!
at 11:50 on August 24th, 2007
What about all the European churches and older statues etc.?
at 11:51 on August 24th, 2007
I'm all for animal equality Jordan, but when Pigeons started infesting Vancouver's West end (including my upstairs neighbour's balcony) they pulled the linch pin.
Especially since I have the displeasure of waking to their incessant cooing and shuffling above my bedroom window...and on my window sill...and on my balcony...
Interesting factoid: everyone in my buiding received a letter from Colliers International, explaining how to get rid of those pesky pigeons - including pouring bleach all over the concrete where they are nesting. That sounded: a) dangerous; b) cruel; and c) more of a risk than then pigeons themselves.
at 12:01 on August 24th, 2007
New York City has posted an Internet "Facts about pigeon-related diseases" web page for those who are concerned about any risks besides nuisance, statuary residue and bridge disintegration. Could be a full-fledged (no pun intended) NP story for someone so inclined.
at 12:16 on August 24th, 2007
Andrew D. Blechman, has sought to re-introduce his readers to the often maligned and lowly pigeon in his book, Pigeons.
- reply
crissy333at 13:24 on August 24th, 2007
I say let the dog- fight hoodlums use pigeons instead.