I've always seen pigeons as high-browed seagulls. The only thing that sets them apart from their lesser feathered friends is....well, actually I'm not sure there is anything.

They turn up in mobs, poo everywhere with amazing efficiency and shade the sun when they decide to leave.

I've had the pleasure - though I'm using the world 'pleasure' with abandoned wastefulness - of seeing friends encourage these birds into their gardens and feed them relentlessly. The pigeons don't seem to mind though and they reward their food source with molted feathers and gooey manure.

They take up their posts on the neighbour's fence - for which they're eternally grateful - and loiter like truant children who've run out of things to do.

But, this is just my opinion. Apparently, some guy loves them and wrote this post 21 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Pigeons.

So there you have it. They're officially amazing...officially amazing pests, that is.