Union Square's "Mother Pigeon" Determined to Transform Popular Opinion Through Stuffed Birds

Sew many birds...I will be in #unionsquare this wed and thurs!'''#vegantaxidermy #naturelover #artismysavior #ragtime #baglady #birdlady
Sew many birds...I will be in #unionsquare this wed and thurs!'''#vegantaxidermy #naturelover #artismysavior #ragtime #baglady #birdlady
Photo: Mother Pigeon

For many New Yorkers, pigeons are a nuisance: dirty, thieving, and constantly in our paths. But artist and animal rights advocate Tina Piña Trachtenburg, better known as Mother Pigeon, is challenging this popular conception by making the oft-reviled creatures the subject of her art.

Originally from Texas, Trachtenburg moved to NYC in the late 1980s and was immediately taken with the flying city-dwellers. Now she carries a sack of bird feed with her wherever she goes, like a modern-day Mary Poppins "Bird Woman". Instead of moving people with song, however, she moves them with street art installations of her acrylic felt pigeon sculptures, which prove to any passersby that pigeons can be beautiful.

If you want to have your vision of pigeons revolutionized and catch Mother Pigeon living our her dreams, follow the artist on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and catch her in person regularly in Union Square Park.

New birds to add to my flock! We will be in union square tomorrow Friday.
New birds to add to my flock! We will be in union square tomorrow Friday.
Photo: Mother Pigeon
I will be in #Unionsquare tomorrow Wednesday from noon to 6! #Ilovepigeons #iloverats #ilovenature #newartpiecerevealed
I will be in #Unionsquare tomorrow Wednesday from noon to 6! #Ilovepigeons #iloverats #ilovenature #newartpiecerevealed
Photo: Mother Pigeon
Had a wonderful time in Washington Square park yesterday, today on to Union Square...come by! Also at 3:00pm if you can be at 12th and Broadway today to help me catch a stringed pigeon who is struggling to walk...i will love you. Txt..347-247-5775
Had a wonderful time in Washington Square park yesterday, today on to Union Square...come by! Also at 3:00pm if you can be at 12th and Broadway today to help me catch a stringed pigeon who is struggling to walk...i will love you. Txt..347-247-5775
Photo: Mother Pigeon
Rescued from this weekend's live pigeon shoot! Gettin comfy in my studio. Please donate to our rescue mission.
Rescued from this weekend's live pigeon shoot! Gettin comfy in my studio. Please donate to our rescue mission.
My little painted bunting flock.  Photo cred @jeromestrauss #flashflock #folkart #birdlady #feedthebirds #dustyrebel
My little painted bunting flock. Photo cred @jeromestrauss #flashflock #folkart #birdlady #feedthebirds #dustyrebel
Thanks @the_line_up ....this is my casual garb. #folkart #makeyourclothes #burnyourbra
Thanks @the_line_up ....this is my casual garb. #folkart #makeyourclothes #burnyourbra
#birdlady #folkart #pigeon #pigeonshooter #unionsquare #urbanwildlife #pigeonlady #cardinal #starling #publiccrafting
#birdlady #folkart #pigeon #pigeonshooter #unionsquare #urbanwildlife #pigeonlady #cardinal #starling #publiccrafting
Maggie Jeffers

Maggie Jeffers

Contributing Writer

Maggie is a recent graduate of Vassar College, where she majored in English and learned that she has no tolerance for the Poughkeepsie cold. She loves all things related to food, TV, movies, and music, and enjoys playing the violin and surfing the web in her spare time.

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