NEW YORK (PIX11) – When you head out of your house in the blistering, freezing cold in New York City, you'll probably come across a pigeon or two.
They might act seemingly unaware of the cold snap that's hit the tri-state area. But why is that?
"Pigeons, they have some special adaptations," Ranger Adam Rodriguez, with the New York City Parks Department, told PIX11 News. "But most birds are really equipped for the winter."
Rodriguez said when birds migrate during the fall, they're not looking for warmer weather – they're looking for food, which New York City is full of.
"Pigeons have a constant source of food here in New York City," he said.
Pigeons have a normal body temperature of between 103 and 107 degrees and their feathers are naturally insulated, according to Rodriguez.
"If you've ever seen a pigeon or any bird fluffing up, they're actually increasing the efficiency of their feathers' insulating abilities," he said.
Pigeons also have a gland at the base of their tail called the uropygial gland, which secretes oil that birds use to coat their feathers and help keep them warm. Even their feet can stay warm in the winter despite not having feathers on them, Rodriguez said. Instead, pigeons have special scales that help increase cold tolerance.
If all of that isn't enough to keep a pigeon warm, they can restrict blood flow to any areas of the body that are exposed to the cold.
As to why pigeons prefer to stay in New York City regardless of the weather, Rodriguez said it's because the birds have been accustomed to humans for thousands of years.
"Where there [are] people, there [are] going to be pigeons," he said.
Pigeons will also gather together on high-rises as another way to stay warm, according to Rodriguez.
"They can thrive in any environment," Rodriguez said.
If you happen to come across an injured pigeon, you can bring it to the Wild Bird Fund – a wildlife rehabilitation center on the Upper West Side.
You shouldn't be worried about getting sick from handling a pigeon, Rodriguez said. It's recommended to pick it up with a towel and put it in a box until you can take it to the center.
For more information about pigeons and other birds in New York City, you can check out New York City Pigeon Rescue Central and NYC Audubon.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
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