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Birding/Chicago Pigeon Coops

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Expert: - 3/16/2009


Question
Hi Rodger-
We are writing a story set in New York involving a character with a pigeon coop on the roof but we want to set it in Chicago.  Our Chicago expert claims there are ZERO coops on the roofs of Chicago but in one of your expert anwsers I see that you know otherwise.  What part of Chicago are there coops?  We want to be authentic to the place we set our story.  Thanks for your insight.  Cheers

Answer
Well, the City of Chicago banned pigeon coops in 2004, apparently the only city to have such an ordinance, according to the American Homing Pigeon Association. There is no question in my mind that there are still homing pigeon fanciers who keep pigeons on roof coops. But because it is illegal, I can't tell you where they are. I think any apartment building downtown would be a logical place, and if you note that they are illegal, it may add a bit of interest.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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