Having lived in small town St.Catharines, Ontario my entire life, i’ve never had to deal with the boldly aggressive hunting and gathering tactics of the big city pigeons. Around here, our pigeons are much more polite and unobtrusive, never really getting that close to us humans. But upon visiting bigger cities, a small town person such as myself quickly realizes where the term ‘rats with wings’ comes from. They’re everywhere! But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some folks out there who sympathize

J.L. Aronson, director of ‘Danielson: A Family Movie’, has embedded himself on the rooftops of NYC to take a look at those few kind souls who’ve devoted their time to raising and taking care of the birds that everyone else hates. Here’s the story:

Apple Dun, Carneau, Fantail. These are just a few of the many varieties of pigeon that New Yorkers who use the term “rat with wings,” are most likely not familiar with. Most city pigeons are hopeless scavengers, prone to disease and seemingly everywhere. Meanwhile, on the rooftops of every borough, urban flocks of richly colored birds twist and dive through the light air, inspiring awe in all who bother to look up. Is it possible these are the same species of feathered friends? As the men who raise and care for these birds prove through the example of their own lives, anything is possible. UP ON THE ROOF follows several of these devoted pigeon-lovers through the rigors and rewards of this quintessential New York tradition.

You can head over to the Up On the Roof official website and check out some video clips of the film. Looks like it should be pretty fun. I wonder who would win in a fight, the wild parrots of telegraph hill or the NYC pigeons? I think i’ve got my money on the pigeons.

Related Link: ‘Up On The Roof’ Official Website