Hannah Michelle Brower’s encounter with a malnourished pigeon on a Philadelphia stoop in 2022 sparked an unexpected journey into the world of urban birds. What began as a compassionate rescue of a grounded pigeon named Primrose has grown into a unique tour venture aimed at shifting public perception about pigeons.
Brower, who describes herself as a birdwatcher, initially intended only to help the injured bird before sending her to a wildlife rehabilitator. When Primrose’s recovery meant she couldn’t survive in the wild, Brower and her partner, Aspen Simone, took the pigeon in as a pet. The pair then delved into research on pigeon behavior and history, uncovering the roots of the bird’s poor reputation. Dating back to the 1960s, pigeons were dismissed as “rats with wings” in urban settings, a label that has largely persisted.
In 2025, following job changes—Brower taking a buyout from a public health role and Simone losing a position with the General Services Administration—the couple chose to pursue their shared passion. They organized a summer walking tour highlighting the lives of Philadelphia’s pigeon populations, illustrating the birds’ behaviors and their surprising adaptability amid city life. The initial tour, attended by 25 participants, was so well received that additional excursions followed, eventually evolving into a regular business.
Tours typically last about 90 minutes and attract groups of 10 to 20 people. Participants observe pigeons navigating busy streets, nesting on building ledges, and engaging in courtship displays. Brower and Simone also educate attendees about pigeons’ ancient relationship with humans—including their history as food sources and carrier animals prior to advanced communications technologies—and their natural behaviors, such as roosting on ledges that simulate cliff habitats and performing mating dances.
The tours are candid about challenges of coexisting with pigeons, including dealing with droppings. Brower and Simone share anecdotes from their own experiences caring for Primrose, who enjoys bathing regularly and perching during virtual meetings, underscoring the bird’s affectionate nature. On occasion, tourgoers get hit with pigeon droppings, which the guides mitigate lightheartedly by offering pigeon-themed stickers as consolation.
Participants often come away with a new appreciation for the birds. Lindsey Benitz, who attended an August 2026 tour with her family, noted a shift in perspective: where she previously viewed pigeons chiefly as a nuisance, she now understands their complex behaviors and the ecological niche they fill. The tours have drawn attention enough to be dubbed “South Philly’s hottest new excursion” by local media.
Looking ahead, Brower and Simone aim to expand their pigeon tours to additional cities such as New York, London, and Providence, Rhode Island. Each tour concludes with a discussion about the extinction of passenger pigeons, once abundant in North America until the early 20th century, and emphasizes the importance of fostering a respectful coexistence with urban wildlife.
What began as a one-time event has continued through sustained interest, reflecting the couple’s mission to change how people perceive and live alongside one of the city’s most common but misunderstood residents.