Pigeon

'Joining a pleasingly diverse menagerie that also includes the cockroach and the oyster, this latest addition to Reaktion's Animal series aims to rehabilitate the much-maligned birds that Woody Allen infamously referred to as "rats with wings" ... Barbara Allen constructs a detailed portrait of the cultural, spiritual and scientific significance of the pigeon ... engaging and illuminating.' - The Observer 'Allen's elegantly written book might not convert you to pigeon-fancying, but it could induce a little more sympathy with the flying crapper.' - The Guardian 'we also find that our much-maligned avian "rats" have an awful lot going for them, with some scientists rating them as intelligent as three-year old humans ... So next time you moan about the clutter of urban pigeons ... spare a thought for the good contributions these animals make to our lives.' - BBC Wildlife magazine 'Reaktion's Animal series is unfailingly fascinating, but rarely this challengingly and powerfully told.' - TLS 'This delightful book is another worthy contribution to the Reaktion "Animal" series. Pigeons are often dismissed as brainless, dirty nuisances that invade human cultural spaces. However, by the conclusion of this fact-filled and engaging text the reader may well share the author's fascination with the birds.' - Anthrozoos