Pigeons in America

Special tours for America’s 250th

Dates: July 3 – 6

Join us on a one-of-a-kind historical experience that explores American history rarely told: the story of pigeons.

This special 90-minute tour explores the history of pigeons in North America — from the passenger pigeon, once the most abundant bird on the continent, to the rock pigeons that share Philadelphia’s streets today.

We’ll observe pigeon flocks, nesting sites, and more along our Italian Market Tour route. Along the way, participants will learn about:

  • The native passenger pigeon, now extinct, including the relationships between these now-extinct pigeons and the Lenape, and the role of colonization in the extinction of this native bird.
  • The history of the rock pigeon (aka your average city pigeon), including their 5,000-year relationship with humans, and how they ended up on the streets of Philadelphia
  • Rock pigeon behavior, biology, and ecology


Join us to discover how pigeons helped shape the American story.

Perfect for visitors and locals alike, this tour combines wildlife biology, environmental history, Indigenous history, and urban ecology into a unique Independence Weekend experience you won’t find anywhere else.

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  • Philly Pigeon Tours LLC