By Yael Gottesman
(Yael is a journalist with the FOCUS Media Arts Centre)

The St. James Town pigeon is well known to area residents. Pigeons can be found in the neighbourhood mornings to night.

Why is it that St. James Town is home to so many pigeons?  

Residents conclude that it is their love for nesting in balconies. With 19 high-rise buildings in such a small area, St. James Town is a perfect nesting place. Perching high above the streets, St. James Town pigeons have almost an unlimited view of their next meal.

Another important reason why St. James Town is such a favorite habitat of the Pigeon is because of the high population of seniors living in the area who suffer from isolation and loneliness. For many of these low-income seniors, the St. James Town pigeon have become an important part of their social life. In some cases, these pigeons are the only friend they have, and taking time to befriend them and feed them has become a daily routine for many seniors in the area.

This puts these seniors at odds with other St. James Town residents whose balconies, walkways, streets, parks and general enjoyment of the outdoors have been tarnished with unwanted pestering for food and of course…disease carrying pigeon poop.    

Life for the Toronto’s pigeons in St. James Town and elsewhere may soon be getting a little bit harder. Toronto is considering banning feeding pigeons all across the city. If this law is successful, not only will the St. James Town Pigeon may have to look for new avenues of food, but seniors will have to find alternative ways for dealing with loneliness and isolation.

Maybe its time that we stop relying on pigeons to befriend our seniors!!!