Pigeon nest embroidery| Janneke Embroidery

Pigeons have a bit of a reputation for being some of the worst nest builders in the bird world. Their nests often look like they were put together in a last-minute panic, hastily thrown together with barely any effort. But there’s a reason for that!

Unlike many birds that are master architects, building intricate nests that could make some human builders jealous, pigeons evolved in rocky cliffside environments. Before humans decided they might be useful and domesticated them, pigeons laid their eggs nestled between rocks, where minimal effort was needed to keep them secure and prevent them from rolling away.

Pigeons didn’t choose to live in our urban landscapes, we brought them into our world and, when we no longer needed them, left them behind. So while their nests may look flimsy and lazy, they apparently still do their job in keeping the egg safe most of the time.

This embroidery piece is based on a real pigeon nest! I had plenty of hilariously bad ones to choose from while scrolling through Pinterest and Google, but this one stood out to me as both funny and endearing. Something about the way the pigeon is all fluffed up, with its neck pulled in, made it extra cute to me.

Pigeons often get a bad reputation for being dirty or even considered pests. But next time you see one and feel a bit annoyed, remember: we’re the ones who brought them here. They’re just doing their best to survive and make the best of it, just like we do.