"I think for every person in New York who hates pigeons, there is one who loves pigeons," says Andrew Garn. “I started seeing them and I was just totally amazed. The feather patterns, the variation of the feathers, the colors of the eyes. It's just incredible. And from then on I was sold. ”

In an urban environment like New York City, the pigeon is one of the few connections to nature. It's a bird that is largely ignored, but one man puts the beauty of the pigeon in focus: for 10 years, author and photographer Andrew Garn studied and photographed pigeons, resulting in a book aptly named "The New York Pigeon."

When the light falls properly, one sees their beautiful colors.
"I did not know anything about pigeons when I started. I just thought it was this bird that did well in cities, ”says Garn. The fact that you see them everywhere makes them almost invisible. But when you take a closer look at them, you see the color of their feathers.

When I started photographing pigeons, I suddenly saw them like I had never really seen them before, and I thought, 'Wow, they are beautiful. They are like jewels, ”says Garn.

The natural home of a pigeon is a ledge on a cliff.
A perfect alternative, therefore, is a tall building, and that makes New York ideal.

"Where they come from, they had to protect themselves from predators, and there is no natural hiding place," says Andrew Garn. “So they had to be able to move like a helicopter. This means that they have an incredible "starting power". It is a big bird, a bird on a pound, and they can take off in an instant, ”he adds.

In a safe environment, pigeons would live for 20 years, but life in New York is hard. Most do not even survive a year.

"They are New Yorkers. They are trying to survive, ”says Garn. "They are fragile. They are smart. “

So should we all love pigeons because they are New Yorkers like us?

"Absolutely. They are the epitome of New York. They should be New York's national bird. Or city bird. They definitely should be. I am voting in favor. I am starting a campaign for it, ”says Garn with a smile in his voice.

Are pigeons the only animals that stand close to Andrew Garn's heart? What about squirrels? "Squirrels are okay," he says. "They are sweet. They are furry and cute, but they are not like pigeons. ”

Photographer and author Andrew Garn tells FOX5NY about his respect for and admiration for pigeons. See below.

 Link til video om duer med Andrew Garns:  Pigeons get no respect