Birds of a feather...

No public place in Toronto is complete without a certain winged pedestrian. The smoke-coloured coo'ers peck up and down the streets, scouring the ground for crumbs of any kind.

They also act as graffiti artists from above on their perches or overhead as they fly by. Some say the white droppings bring luck, others say being hit only forshadows a shower.

The city atmosphere itself has certainly emboldened these birds. Pigeons aren't timid and fearful like many of their other feathered counterparts. On several occasions, I've had near pigeon collisions. They swoop and scatter just inches from my face, keeping a stronghold over their territory until the last minute.

The pigeon is definitely an essential sight and sound throughout Toronto's public places.