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Spring in Paris is truly a glorious time.

Even though this winter was relatively mild, it’s nice to peel off the wool scarves and mittens that we’ve all been bundling ourselves up in to ward off the damp, chilly air and start packing them away.

Deep-scarlet strawberries start appearing at the market and cafés waiters across the city slide extra seats outside as all of Paris starts to stir from its winter hibernation.

Paris

Unfortunately, that includes the pigeons too.

Those wicked beasts that coo outside our windows, who wake us up at the crack of down with their incessant warbling on windowsills and ledges everywhere. They soil and permanently damage all of the magnificent churches and monuments of Paris. And like the rest of the city, I suppose, they’re celebrating spring by enjoying more time outdoors socializing with their friends.

But unlike (most) civilized Parisians, they don’t care where they let loose.

During this week and the next few, they’re poised high up in the trees, causing much fear of being the recipient of their crotté droppings. (And whatever they’re eating doesn’t seem to be agreeing with them.) It seems to be pretty well-known amongst the locals to avoid standing under trees at all costs, but I’ve seen plenty of unsuspecting tourists and a few newcomers get nailed by those feathered foul lurking above.

Consider yourself warned.

And sorry about the icky picture. But if I have to see it, then so do you.)

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12 comments

    • Monika Korngut

    Thanks for the warning! I had a nice lough over your post. Next time I’m in Paris I will keep that in mind :-)

    • Jim

    Was in Paris last week, just in time for the last of the seasonal sleet storms (say that 10 times fast!) but at least the air rats weren’t a problem.

    The street though, and the dogs…wow. Nearly as bad as home here in Amsterdam…

    • michele

    you know, I’ve always wondered why there aren’t more pigeon poop pictures on the web. I mean, when I want to see a good image of pigeon poop, why should I have to spend hours looking for one? I’m pleased that you’ve solved that problem for me. And to top it all off, you’ve posted a pic of PARISIAN PIGEON POOP. Glorious!

    • David

    There’s a lot of poop on the web.

    You just gotta know where to find it…

    • Gideon

    I would have thought that an ingenious chef such as yourself would have thought of a creative way of eradicating these annoying but nutritious pests from the neighbourhood. I can think of pigeon pie, pigeon on toast, pigeon a la orange just for starters.

    • katz

    Ugh…I once got hit on the head while waiting for the Tube in London. Even being underground isn’t safe. Grrrrrrr

    • Lorna

    Yes, it’s sad when you only think of what sauce would be best with the bird? I would never make a good bird watcher.

    • Susan

    My “blessing” was in front of the American Embassy in Paris one 4th of July. My snickering friends tired to convince me that it was good luck. Euhhhh….

    How charming to see a BlogAd for Dove deodorant :-)

    • Steve

    Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pigeon in a tree…on lamp posts, statues, building ledges, signs, and other man-made features of the urban landscape, certainly.

    I will never forget a trip to Venice with two friends, eons ago, where, at St Mark’s Square, a pigeon in full flight let fly um, something, whose trajectory ended with uncanny precision in my companion Mimi’s mouth. Hilarious for all but her.

    • Ms. Glaze

    Spring has definately sprung! I’ve never sneezed more in my entire life. With the pollen and the pigeon poop I might be a gonner this printemp! Bisous, Ms. Glaze

    • kayenne

    who knew poop can be romantic? my cousin’s wedding… there was a pigeon nesting just above the steel gates of the church entrance where my cousin and her new hubby stood after the ceremony, having their picture taken, when suddenly everyone knew the bird was going to poop right onto my cousin’s gown. the groom proved his love by reaching out to catch the poop on his bare hand, so it doesn’t land on his new wife. an “awww” moment there.

    • sandra

    Hi David: Just thought I would send along my tried and true technique to get rid of pigeons on window sills and balconies.
    You can hammer a couple of tall nails at each end of the window sill and attach a very thin piece of wire about three inches above the sill. Pigeons have no place to land and hang on with their little feet. If the sill is wide you may have to attach two rows of wire since they are quite smart. I did this to my balcony in Toronto
    as they would stop on the railing and then swoop in and build nests (gasp). Anyway give it a try and you might just get a little longer sleep in the morning. Best always, Sandra

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