Here in Barcelona, there are no squirrels in sight. Taking their place instead are the local pigeons. On every street, at every stop light, in every corner, you can always spot a pigeon. They are like civilians; walking slow or fast, but mainly, to the beat of their own drum. Each pigeon, with its own personality, rules the sidewalks and it’s up to the pedestrian to go around them or force them to fly away. The fear of potentially ending up with bird droppings on your clothes or body is a real fear, especially here in Barcelona.
Despite their docile appearance, pigeons are actually relatively smart animals. Their remarkable ability to find their way home led to their domestication thousands of years ago. Whether it be food, pets, or messengers, pigeons have been a part of European culture for ages. Once celebrated for their role in delivering letters, they have become obsolete in today’s era of instant communication, now left scattered across the streets of Barcelona. So, the next time you walk past a pigeon on the street, just remember they come from a long line of powerful beasts that have helped propel mankind into the future.
About the authors
From left to right; Katherine Jones is a Junior Advertising major, Elizabeth Dubrowsky is a Senior Public Relations major, Nick Harvey is a Senior Information Science major, Tina Giard is a Junior Advertising major, and Carrie Warner is a Sophomore Public Relations major.