• NYC hosts its first Pigeon Impersonation Pageant to celebrate and raise awareness about the city’s often misunderstood pigeons.
• Contestants perform creative acts in detailed pigeon costumes, blending humor, art, and storytelling on the High Line.
• The event combines fun with education, encouraging public empathy and promoting bird-friendly urban environments.

In the heart of New York City, something unusual and delightfully quirky is taking flight. The High Line, known for its unique art installations and vibrant community events, will host the very first Pigeon Impersonation Pageant. This is a playful yet meaningful celebration dedicated to one of the city’s most misunderstood creatures: the humble pigeon.

At first glance, the idea might sound a bit bizarre. Why hold a pageant where contestants dress up and mimic pigeons? However, as the city grapples with rising animosity and even acts of cruelty toward these birds, this event seeks to flip the narrative. It invites New Yorkers to see pigeons in a new light.

Among the seven spirited participants competing for the crown is Miriam Abrahams, a 34-year-old East Village artist. She’s no stranger to embodying the city’s iconic bird. Her carefully crafted paper mâché pigeon costume has become a familiar sight around town. Yet, Saturday will be her first time officially stepping onto the stage in full pigeon persona, ready to coo, waddle, and charm her way to victory.

A Celebration of the City’s Underdogs

“I want to give these birds a moment to shine,” Miriam said. “Pigeons often get overlooked or hated, but they’re smart, resilient, and an essential part of city life.”

Her words echo a sentiment that’s gaining traction among urban dwellers who’ve watched these birds endure harsh treatment—sometimes even violence—from a public that often labels them as dirty or pesky. Miriam, who also volunteers with the Wild Bird Fund, has seen firsthand how misinformation clouds people’s views on pigeons.

“It’s not really the birds that are dirty; it’s the city environment with all its trash and chaos,” she explains. “Pigeons just adapt, but that survival often gets misinterpreted as filthiness or disease.”

The pageant is just one part of a larger day-long event called Pigeon Fest. Besides the competition, the festival includes games like pin the tail on the pigeon and pigeon-themed cornhole, as well as educational panels. The goal is to engage the public in a conversation about how urban spaces can become friendlier to wildlife, especially these city squabs.

The Art of Becoming ‘Pigeon’

Miriam’s pigeon costume started as a Halloween project, part of a group theme with friends dressed as other city critters—rats, cockroaches, and even an exterminator. But what began as a simple idea blossomed into a beloved alter ego. The suit, made from chicken wire and paper mâché, features a massive pigeon head with eyes full of personality.

Over the years, Miriam has brought ‘Pigeon’ to life in various corners of New York. She often amuses passersby with her animated bobbing and soft cooing sounds, played from a speaker hidden inside the costume. Her performances have even included playful encounters with curious dogs and interactions with strangers. Once, someone handed her a piece of bread, and she instinctively began pecking at it, much to their delight.

For the pageant, Miriam promises to add new layers of showmanship. “I’m planning something with music and some very New York sounds,” she hints. She keeps details under wraps but promises plenty of energy and flair.

More Than Just a Costume Contest

While the pageant might sound like a lighthearted parody, it carries deeper meaning. Every contestant was carefully chosen after auditions, each bringing their own take on the pigeon’s character. Their acts will be judged in two rounds: the first focuses on mimicking the bird’s distinctive behaviors. Then, the second challenges them to bring creativity and storytelling to the stage—whether through dance, lip-sync, or other artistic expressions.

The event is organized under the watchful eyes of the High Line’s art curators, including Taylor Zakarin. He emphasizes the importance of the pigeon as an emblem of urban wildlife, simultaneously loved and scorned.

“There’s no bird more iconic in cities than the pigeon,” Zakarin explains. “Yet they face marginalization and misunderstanding, which makes them a perfect symbol to explore themes of acceptance and coexistence.”

Still, Zakarin reassures that the pageant will be a good time, full of humor and community spirit. Besides the grand prize for “Top Pigeon of New York City,” awards like Best Plumage, Coolest Moves, and Fiercest Flapper will recognize the diverse talents of the participants. Audience members won’t just be spectators either; there’s a special prize for anyone who comes dressed as a pigeon or another city bird.

Public Reactions Mix Humor and Curiosity

News of the pageant has sparked a wave of reactions across the city. Some New Yorkers have embraced the concept, praising it as a clever way to shine a spotlight on a creature that’s often unfairly blamed for the city’s grime.

“I think it’s hilarious but also kind of sweet,” said one passerby near the High Line. “Pigeons get a bad rap, but they’re just doing their thing. This event might make people think twice.”

Others remain skeptical or bemused, wondering if a pigeon impersonation contest is the best use of the city’s time and resources. Social media has seen its share of jokes, with memes of people bobbing their heads like pigeons flooding Twitter and Instagram. Yet even the jokes carry an undercurrent of affection—proof that pigeons hold a strange but undeniable place in New Yorkers’ hearts.

A Look Ahead: Can Pigeons Inspire Change?

Beyond the laughter and costumes, the event opens up a larger conversation about urban ecology and how cities relate to the animals that share their spaces. With pigeons often painted as pests, many overlook the ways they reflect the health and character of urban environments.

The festival’s educational panels will tackle these issues, offering practical advice on creating more bird-friendly cities. This includes ideas on reducing litter and providing safe nesting areas. Organizers hope that the playful tone of the event will lower barriers, inviting a wider audience to learn and engage.

Miriam’s commitment to her pigeon persona embodies this spirit perfectly. For her, the costume is more than just feathers and paper mâché—it’s a way to build empathy and change minds.

“I want people to stop and really see pigeons as part of the city’s heartbeat,” she says. “They’re survivors and friends in this urban jungle.”

Final Thoughts

As the city prepares to crown its very first Top Pigeon, the event promises to be a unique blend of art, activism, and pure New York fun. Whether you come to cheer, learn, or just enjoy the spectacle, the Pigeon Impersonation Pageant and Pigeon Fest offer a fresh perspective on a bird that’s as much a symbol of the city as the skyline itself.

So next time you spot a pigeon bobbing on a sidewalk, remember there’s more to these feathered New Yorkers than meets the eye. And if you’re near the High Line this Saturday, you might just find yourself rooting for them in a way you never imagined.