Flap Over London's Pigeons

Tracy Smith: Efforts To Curb Their Numbers Ruffling Feathers

(CBS)  "I would," Gigante responded, "describe them as works of art, beautiful works of art. And, there are so many different, beautiful breeds of pigeons that are so different and unique in their own way."

Pigeons have, after all, played key roles in history, Smith notes, from Noah's ark, to World War II. And they've landed plenty of movie roles, too, such as their part in "Home Alone."

Recently, when Paris Hilton was caught feeding pigeons in Britain, she said it was more fun than shopping.

Even though people like to feed pigeons, Smith explains, overfeeding is what leads to overpopulation, and a whole lot of pigeons means a whole lot of pigeon droppings.

Still, Smith says, clean up the mess by clearing out the pigeons and you could lose something else.

Backer Gigante remarked, "What would Rome, St. Peter's Square look like, what would St. Mark's Square look like, without pigeons?"

Maybe, Smith suggests, something like Trafalgar Square, where children once covered in pigeons can now be seen chasing after them.

In addition to the no-feeding policy, a hawk was employed to scare off London's pigeons.

That practice failed in New York a few years ago, when a falcon for hire mistakenly attacked someone's Chihuahua.