Maybe the birds are making a fashion statement.

Mike! · 13th January 2020, 02:28 PM

Someone's sticking tiny cowboy hats on Las Vegas pigeons.

Quote:

While no one knows who is putting the tiny hats onto the pigeons or why people are in love with the prank, but the animal rights groups are not happy about it, and they’re the only ones.

https://animals.awm.com/police-are-l...onAan1HCnh97Bc

dann · 13th January 2020, 03:22 PM

The hat doesn't seem to bother the pigeon in the video at all.
The animal activists should spend their time removing human hair from the feet of pigeons instead: Pigeons are having their toes amputated by waste human hair in Paris (New Scientist, Nov. 14, 2019)

Delphic Oracle · 14th January 2020, 08:52 AM

They have to have been grabbed and subdued to get the hats on them.

The hats are glued on.

The hats reduce their peripheral vision by half, leaving them exposed to predators above them.

https://www.audubon.org/news/those-p...aughing-matter

William Parcher · 14th January 2020, 09:13 AM

1) There is no evidence that humans are putting these cowboy hats on pigeons.

2) No hawk would dare to try to eat a pigeon wearing a cowboy hat.

Dave Rogers · 14th January 2020, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by William Parcher

1) There is no evidence that humans are putting these cowboy hats on pigeons.

Res ipsa loquitur.

Dave

Rolfe · 14th January 2020, 09:31 AM

I don't see a huge problem with catching a pigeon and holding it uninjured while you put a hat on it, but what the article doesn't mention is what's holding the hats on. It looks as if they might be superglued or something, and that could cause problems if the hat starts to come adrift but is held by a few feathers and interfered with vision.

Delphic Oracle · 14th January 2020, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Rolfe

I don't see a huge problem with catching a pigeon and holding it uninjured while you put a hat on it, but what the article doesn't mention is what's holding the hats on. It looks as if they might be superglued or something, and that could cause problems if the hat starts to come adrift but is held by a few feathers and interfered with vision.

Some stories relay descriptions of them repeatedly scratching at their heads to the point of causing open wounds.

plague311 · 14th January 2020, 10:31 AM

Having a super glued hat on their head would have to cause some issues with wind resistance while flying through the air. I can't imagine it doesn't cause some discomfort during flight.

Meadmaker · 14th January 2020, 10:38 AM

Pigeon advocacy groups are very upset about this.

However, the Society for Putting Things on top of Other Things is considering a special innovation award if the hat provider identifies himself.

Myriad · 14th January 2020, 11:27 AM

Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/

I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!)

Delphic Oracle · 14th January 2020, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Myriad

Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/

I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!)

Unfortunate side-effects of a pest control measure, unfortunate side effects of doing something "for the lulz."

I'm going to go ahead and say my initial reaction is this is a false equivalence.

Mike! · 14th January 2020, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Myriad

Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/

I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!)

If they want people to take this serious, they should not give the birds cute names they wouldn't have gotten if they weren't wearing hats...

Quote:

“Billie the Pidge” died from an undetected illness, the group said.
...
Several other birds the rescue found also had hats glued on their heads, including “Coolamity Jane” and “Cluck Norris.”

Elagabalus · 14th January 2020, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mike!

If they want people to take this serious, they should not give the birds cute names they wouldn't have gotten if they weren't wearing hats...

Even the Audubon are going for the yucks.

https://www.audubon.org/news/those-p...aughing-matter

Quote:

Coolamity Jane is the name given to a Las Vegas pigeon who's unfortunately had a plastic cowboy hat glued to her head. She remains at large.

Skeptical Greg · 14th January 2020, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Delphic Oracle

Some stories relay descriptions of them repeatedly scratching at their heads to the point of causing open wounds.

Sometimes predators deserve a break..

13th January 2020, 02:28 PM	#1
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 39,570	Maybe the birds are making a fashion statement. Someone's sticking tiny cowboy hats on Las Vegas pigeons. Quote: While no one knows who is putting the tiny hats onto the pigeons or why people are in love with the prank, but the animal rights groups are not happy about it, and they’re the only ones. https://animals.awm.com/police-are-l...onAan1HCnh97Bc
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes." Last edited by Mike!; 13th January 2020 at 02:30 PM.

13th January 2020, 03:22 PM	#2
dann Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 13,246	The hat doesn't seem to bother the pigeon in the video at all. The animal activists should spend their time removing human hair from the feet of pigeons instead: Pigeons are having their toes amputated by waste human hair in Paris (New Scientist, Nov. 14, 2019)
	__________________ /dann "Stupidity renders itself invisible by assuming very large proportions. Completely unreasonable claims are irrefutable. Ni-en-leh pointed out that a philosopher might get into trouble by claiming that two times two makes five, but he does not risk much by claiming that two times two makes shoe polish." B. Brecht "The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions." K. Marx

14th January 2020, 09:13 AM	#4
William Parcher Show me the monkey! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 25,728	1) There is no evidence that humans are putting these cowboy hats on pigeons. 2) No hawk would dare to try to eat a pigeon wearing a cowboy hat.
	__________________ Bigfoot believers and Bigfoot skeptics are both plumb crazy. Each spends more than one minute per year thinking about Bigfoot.

14th January 2020, 09:18 AM	#5
Dave Rogers Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through a scribbled morning waving necessary ankles Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cair Paravel, according to XKCD Posts: 32,186	Originally Posted by William Parcher 1) There is no evidence that humans are putting these cowboy hats on pigeons. Res ipsa loquitur. Dave
	__________________ Inspiring discussion of Sharknado is not a good sign for the audience expectations of your new high-concept SF movie sequel. - Myriad

14th January 2020, 09:31 AM	#6
Rolfe Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NT 150 511 Posts: 46,324	I don't see a huge problem with catching a pigeon and holding it uninjured while you put a hat on it, but what the article doesn't mention is what's holding the hats on. It looks as if they might be superglued or something, and that could cause problems if the hat starts to come adrift but is held by a few feathers and interfered with vision.
	__________________ "The way we vote will depend, ultimately, on whether we are persuaded to hope or to fear." - Aonghas MacNeacail, June 2012.

14th January 2020, 08:52 AM	#3
Delphic Oracle Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5,270	They have to have been grabbed and subdued to get the hats on them. The hats are glued on. The hats reduce their peripheral vision by half, leaving them exposed to predators above them. https://www.audubon.org/news/those-p...aughing-matter

14th January 2020, 10:21 AM	#7
Delphic Oracle Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5,270	Originally Posted by Rolfe I don't see a huge problem with catching a pigeon and holding it uninjured while you put a hat on it, but what the article doesn't mention is what's holding the hats on. It looks as if they might be superglued or something, and that could cause problems if the hat starts to come adrift but is held by a few feathers and interfered with vision. Some stories relay descriptions of them repeatedly scratching at their heads to the point of causing open wounds.

14th January 2020, 10:31 AM	#8
plague311 Great minds think... Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 8,377	Having a super glued hat on their head would have to cause some issues with wind resistance while flying through the air. I can't imagine it doesn't cause some discomfort during flight.
	__________________ "Circumcision and death threats go together like milk and cookies." - William Parcher “There are times when the mind is dealt such a blow it hides itself in insanity. While this may not seem beneficial, it is. There are times when reality is nothing but pain, and to escape that pain the mind must leave reality behind.” - Patrick Rothfuss

14th January 2020, 10:38 AM	#9
Meadmaker Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 24,728	Pigeon advocacy groups are very upset about this. However, the Society for Putting Things on top of Other Things is considering a special innovation award if the hat provider identifies himself.

14th January 2020, 11:27 AM	#10
Myriad The Clarity Is Devastating Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Betwixt Posts: 17,264	Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/ I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!)
	__________________ A zømbie once bit my sister...

14th January 2020, 11:54 AM	#11
Delphic Oracle Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5,270	Originally Posted by Myriad Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/ I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!) Unfortunate side-effects of a pest control measure, unfortunate side effects of doing something "for the lulz." I'm going to go ahead and say my initial reaction is this is a false equivalence.

14th January 2020, 12:32 PM	#12
Mike! Official Ponylandistanian National Treasure. Respect it! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ponylandistan! Where the bacon grows on trees! Can it get any better than that? I submit it can not! Posts: 39,570	Originally Posted by Myriad Tragically, one of the behatted pigeons has died. https://www.wtnh.com/news/animals-an...g-pigeon-dies/ I anticipate a flood of outrage for the cruel mistreatment and tragic loss of such a beloved animal. (Unlike last August, when a pest control measure in a Las Vegas neighborhood killed flocks of them in twitching convulsions with poisoned corn. But those were normal messy uninteresting pigeons, not amusing cowboy-hat-wearing ones!) If they want people to take this serious, they should not give the birds cute names they wouldn't have gotten if they weren't wearing hats... Quote: “Billie the Pidge” died from an undetected illness, the group said. ... Several other birds the rescue found also had hats glued on their heads, including “Coolamity Jane” and “Cluck Norris.”
	__________________ "Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes... Because then it won't really matter, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes." Last edited by Mike!; 14th January 2020 at 12:34 PM.

14th January 2020, 03:28 PM	#13
Elagabalus Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 6,890	Originally Posted by Mike! If they want people to take this serious, they should not give the birds cute names they wouldn't have gotten if they weren't wearing hats... Even the Audubon are going for the yucks. https://www.audubon.org/news/those-p...aughing-matter Quote: Coolamity Jane is the name given to a Las Vegas pigeon who's unfortunately had a plastic cowboy hat glued to her head. She remains at large.
Elagabalus Philosopher Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 6,890

14th January 2020, 06:36 PM	#14
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past ' Resume Speed ' . Posts: 16,832	Originally Posted by Delphic Oracle Some stories relay descriptions of them repeatedly scratching at their heads to the point of causing open wounds. Sometimes predators deserve a break..
	__________________ " The main problem I have with the idea of heaven, is the thought of spending eternity with most of the people who claim to be going there. "