Tristie-Mattea Ortiz

Tristie-Mattea, Adaya (pigeon holder), and Shoba.

Many have had study sessions at the Boston Public Library, but none have had these sessions lead to over an hour-long journey to bring a pigeon to safety.

On September 7, I visited the Boston Public Library to do homework with fellow first-years, Adaya MacRae and Shoba Thirukkovalur, but everything changed when we saw a pigeon with a visibly broken wing and missing toe. A self-proclaimed birder, MacRae pulled out bird seed and attempted to feed the pigeon, though it struggled to eat. 

During this, I called the Boston Fire Department, who directed me to 311, which was more applicable to the situation. I explained what was happening and was told that the information would be relayed, but there was no confirmation on whether anybody would come. 

A decision was made to bring the pigeon to Simmons’ residential campus and rehabilitate it since MacRae had a history of doing so with other animals. She donned her compression gloves and cornered the pigeon until she was able to pick it up, not caring how strangers would judge her.

“I know there’s something I can do to help, and I want to help– and it’s quite feasible,” MacRae said. “In the big scheme of things, what am I really doing?” 

Thirukkovalur agreed: “Might as well do something with my life while I’m at it,” they said.

MacRae took a step back and let Thirukkovalur be the group’s navigator when entering the train before I received a phone call that changed everything. It was a call back from the number I had called earlier, saying that they were checking the area for the pigeon, but unable to find him. I explained that we had taken him, and was told to bring him to MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center. 

Though some people gave weird looks and filmed MacRae, many people expressed concern for the pigeon and wished luck as well as affirming that the right decision had been made.

“Everyone seems to be on the pigeon’s side,” MacRae said. 

Though very anxious, Thirukkovalur was able to look at the positives of the situation.

“I’ve grown a new appreciation for my friends, because I know that they’re genuinely good people,” they said. “It just goes to show that if we care about something, we’ll figure it out.” 

The long trek meant there was time for MacRae to grow an attachment to the pigeon, even going as far as to name him Freduardo. She entered MSPCA knowing that she’d miss him, before handing Freduardo off to a worker who put him into a box and gave MacRae paperwork to fill out.

“They said that they would only put him down if he looks too far gone, and he’s absolutely not too far gone,” Thirukkovalur said. 

Finally having delivered him to safety, the group were all able to go home, confident that Freduaro would recover, and proud of the adventure.

“We delegated tasks, we took responsibility, and we did it,” MacRae said.