One Man’s Mission to Protect the Pigeons, by Erin DeGregorio

The Gowanus Expressway may not be a part of everyone’s commutes, but, for Kelvin Diaz, walking adjacent to and underneath it is part of his routine. The Sunset Park resident walks approximately three miles between 65th Street and 12th Street under the expressway (a total of six miles), “patrolling the area intensively” for pigeons in need of help.

“I’m a bird owner myself and I see pigeons no differently than my own,” said Diaz, who estimates that he has helped rescue at least 200 pigeons over the past two years. “They are just like any other bird. That’s my motivation.”

However, when he noticed state-issued construction projects consisting of painting and steel repairs beginning to take place underneath the steel viaduct last summer, Diaz realized a plan needed to be hatched to effectively rescue any pigeons that may be impacted by the changing landscape. Online records indicate that construction is expected to be completed December 2025.

The urgency, Diaz points out, is that portions of the viaduct have holes, or openings where pigeons tend to perch, sleep, and sometimes nest, that have been covered with either construction tarp or pieces of wood.

“As soon as the construction started in August 2022, I started shadowing the company and bought equipment and personal tool gears to protect myself, because I knew I’d be in an environment where you’d need to be careful not to injure yourself,” said Diaz, who has carried and climbed a ladder at his own risk to rescue any pigeons that could be saved and possibly relocated. “No trespassing” signs have since been posted near construction areas.

Although he estimates that he has freed more than 100 adult pigeons and fledglings since December 2022, Diaz has found trapped pigeons in different situations during his rounds: scared and alone, huddled together in small groups, starving, injured, or even suffocated. “People really don’t have any idea,” he said. “But, with that being said, I am determined, no matter the circumstances.”

Diaz says he has contacted construction workers regarding this life-and-death situation, hoping to prevent future tragedies by raising awareness of Brooklyn’s avian neighbors. He—along with Valerie Neck, a volunteer at New York City Pigeon Rescue Central (a group dedicated to helping individual urban feral pigeons in New York City)—have also been documenting the reality that is being faced by pigeons underneath the steel viaduct.

“Kelvin is the complete hero of the construction project in the Gowanus [area],” Neck told RHSR. Neck is a documentary filmmaker and mental health therapist who has been involved with rescues for almost two years and has filmed with Diaz at least three times. “His unwavering dedication and vocal advocacy is unparalleled.”

A petition to prevent pigeon deaths also circulated last month on change.org, racking up signatures from 714 individuals in less than a month (as of March 29). Jairus James, the petition’s author who has previously helped Diaz remotely, outlines the difficulties associated with pigeon rescues and why this issue is important.

“Pigeons have been a part of our communities for hundreds of years and have natural instincts to … raise young in safe spaces such as the cells of these bridges,” James posted in early March. “We have a responsibility to accommodate their survival, and it does not have to mean ending ongoing projects, but rather modifying them to ensure their lives are taken into consideration.”

Volunteers like Diaz and Neck are currently in contact with PETA and hope to get additional assistance from the NYPD Animal Cruelty Squad, The Audubon Society, city officials, and the public.

If you see an injured or ill pigeon anywhere in the city—for example, one that is sitting against a wall puffed up and not moving when approached—you can gently handle it by placing it into an open cardboard box and bring it to the Wild Bird Fund (New York City’s only wildlife rehabilitation and education center that cares for injured, sick, and orphaned birds and small mammals) on the Upper West Side. If you’d like to learn more or volunteer with New York City Pigeon Rescue Central, visit nycprc.org.

From Kelvin Diaz’s Instagram Account

“Trapped pigeons. I wish I knew they were trapped. I found out after construction workers removed all wooden planks, for me to reveal few dead pigeons laying on the edge of the hole they call home. We all think they would fly away. But that isn’t the case. I will tell you why? There’s a night working crew with whom I spoke today. They are the ones responsible for blocking off all the holes. They are indiscriminately enclosing babies and adults pigeons inside the holes they live and nest without taking any precaution. The pigeons do not leave. They are all asleep or mother pigeon don’t want to leave the nest.

The workers block off the holes during the night. The pigeons are being ambushed while nesting, asleep or don’t want to fly in the dark. But I am also convinced there’s animal cruelty and hatred towards pigeons within the workers themselves. I was cussed out. And hear them saying nasty things to the pigeons as well. I have come up with certain solutions of my own. That includes electrical equipment, diagram, and time routine of the construction site. But I do not have sufficient people as I am the only one doing so many tasks alone. But with that being said! I am determined! No matter the circumstances. This is why I have a working system of my own. To counter the situation and prevent babies from being trapped, from starving to death.”