A lot of us love birds but we see them from afar.  Those who live with them have a special relationship that goes much deeper.

Pigeon fanciers breed and race pigeons but it’s a relationship that goes both ways.  The birds benefit from those who care for them and the people are made happy by being with their birds.  This video about three New York pigeon fanciers is a window on their world.

As Vincent Outerbridge says, “This is the life. I wouldn’t trade it for nothin’.”

p.s. Pigeons were easy to domesticate because they are docile in the hand.  As you can see in the film, they’re so docile that they can be held upside down and passed from hand to hand.

(video by JJ Sulin on YouTube)