Messengers 


Most city-dwellers think of pigeons as nothing more than a nuisance.  We curse their droppings and avoid their grimy environs, wishing they would not roost on our rooftops. Especially in New York City, where they are ubiquitous, the common pigeon is renowned for disease, filth and banality. Sometimes referred to as winged rats, to many, “city” and “pigeon” have become synonymous.  “Messengers” is a series of “portraits” that challenges the assumptions about our urban, avian counterparts.

 

The photographs were taken at the Wild Bird Fund, New York City’s only wild bird rehabilitation center for sick and injured birds.  The original intention of the series was to photograph exotic creatures and migratory birds that are brought in for treatment. The easily overlooked  convalescing pigeons of New York City turned out to be the most compelling. “Messengers” includes pigeons with myriad injuries and illnesses that reflect some of the dysfunctions of a large city --pollution, lack of clean water, neglect, and human cruelty. Ailments vary from birds soaked in oil from feeding under food trucks to broken limbs, malnutrition, or neurological damage from lead poisoning.  One pigeon in the series, found on Pearl Street, was being treated because someone dyed it pink and left it for dead.

 

The unique birds set in their metal cages with water receptacles and perching bricks took on a still life quality that enhanced the images of the birds and expressed their singular, diverse characters.  From their cages, the pigeons compel us to see more in them than just an anonymous and mass existence.  

 "Nick", a convalescing pigeon in his cage at the Wild Bird Fund holds his gaze on Thursday, March 7, 2013.  The Wild Bird Fund rehabilitates over 1500 animals a year.  (Mansura Khanam) 

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"Pea" wears a blue cast where her foot--entangled in string--had to be amputated, on Thursday, March 7, 2013.  The pigeons are often named after the person who brings them in to the rehab center. (Mansura Khanam)
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"Rosa", one of the many convalescing pigeons at the Wild Bird Fund located at 565 Columbus Avenue in New York City on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.  (Mansura Khanam)

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"Scott" extends his neck revealing colorful feathers on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Scott is recovering from his feet having been entangled in thread, a fairly common problem among feral pigeons. (Mansura Khanam)


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A white pigeon puffs out its chest on Thursday, May, 2, 2013.  (Mansura Khanam) 
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"Liz" a 12-year-old homing pigeon at New York City's Wild Bird Fund. The not-for-profit, located at 565 Columbus Avenue, provides medical care and rehabilitation to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife. (Mansura Khanam)
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"Pearl" stands defiantly inside her cage at the Wild Bird Fund located at 565 Columbus Avenue in New York City on Friday, March 8, 2013.  "Pearl" was given multiple baths in Dawn dish washing liquid and a regimented feeding schedule after being found on Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan dyed neon pink and suffering from malnutrition.  (Mansura Khanam)
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"Candi, "a NYC street pigeon, recovers from surgery to close a head wound. Candi stares with her one remaining eye on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.  (Mansura Khanam)

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"Candi, "a NYC street pigeon, recovers from surgery to close a head wound. Candi stares with her one remaining eye on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.  (Mansura Khanam)
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"Calvin," a NYC pigeon at the Wild Bird Fund, leans against his cage to keep him steady on Friday, May 3, 2013.  Calvin is recovering from paralysis of his legs due to lead poisoning and dehydration. Nearby a ring made of paper towels was fashioned by a volunteer to help keep the bird upright. The Fund currently has 10 part-time staff, 140 active volunteers and three veterinary consultants.  (Mansura Khanam)
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"Sharon", a dark-plumed pigeon after four weeks' treatment for high lead poisoning levels on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Tracking lead-poisoned birds may lead to public health actions to protect children.  (Mansura Khanam)
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