{"id":1981,"date":"2025-06-02T12:51:34","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T11:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/illuminatedmag.co.uk\/?p=1981"},"modified":"2025-06-06T10:24:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T09:24:56","slug":"why-have-pigeons-become-the-internets-new-favourite-bird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/illuminatedmag\/2025\/06\/02\/why-have-pigeons-become-the-internets-new-favourite-bird\/","title":{"rendered":"Why have pigeons become the internet’s new favourite bird?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may have heard of TikTok\u2019s beloved hippo Moo Deng, and Pesto the fluffy baby penguin but have you heard of the app’s new feathered friend? That\u2019s right, another bird. Not a beautifully vibrant parrot, or even just a singular chirping chick, no – the internet has fallen in love with\u2026 pigeons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now this may be a divisive subject if you speak to someone in real life, dubbed \u2018flying rats\u2019 and recognised as vermin by many, but one thing rings true across social media – the internet loves an underdog (or bird).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why pigeons?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Sympathy – they were the first messaging system and crucial in both world wars, where one pigeon, Cher Ami<\/em>, was even awarded the French Croix de Guerre for bravery. The internet has come together to appreciate their effort and celebrate the species after then  being abandoned into cities after all their efforts<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Intelligence -despite not coming across as the brightest birds, pigeons have been praised and used many a time for their brains. Some facts about them are they can count, track faces, and have an exceptional memory<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Abuse – after being kicked, chased and generally hated, social media users want to combat this by spreading the love for the birds, in a bid to stop the hostility towards them<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Cuteness – controversial to some, but pigeons are being appreciated for their adorableness – what more, pigeons are also monogamous – how sweet!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Wildlife conservationist Susan Powell says, \u201cit’s heartwarming to see people honour wildlife and begin to recognise the beauty in all creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Videos online range from edits to rescue missions as the pigeon side of TikTok continues to swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Content creators such as \u2018@comeonlittlepigeon\u2019 and \u2018@spiritofawildflower\u2019 post videos of pigeon keeping and rehabilitation online. These pages have gathered both interest and support, with commenters praising their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          @spiritofawildflower<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote>