Bishan CC's Poetic 'Don't Feed Pigeons' Signs Win Over S'poreans, Many Inspired To Write Their Own Anti-Bird Feeding Rhymes

Bishan East-Sin Ming CC has been battling a bird problem, and one of the solutions has unexpectedly won over the internet.

To tackle the overpopulation of pigeons and crows in the area, the CC put up a series of catchy, poetry-like banners that have since become a hit with Singaporean netizens.

Four messages have been put up, three targeting pigeons and one aimed at crows, each featuring catchy rhymes that are also translated into Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

“Pigeons, creatures divine, they’re a peaceful sign. Not feeding is kind, don’t worry, they will be fine,” one banner reads.

Another says: “Pigeons are smart, they won’t starve. There’s enough grass, with seeds and bugs.”

The crow poster is just as poetic: “Crows are skillful, curious and adept. Manage our leftover food. They can forage without being fed.”

The literary banners have since made their way to Reddit, where many praised the CC for its creativity and efforts to fight against the bird problem.

The banners have also inspired plenty of laughs online.

“It seems the town council is on fire with their poetry. Can’t wait to see what touching verses they come up with next. Bonus points for making the pigeon look more and more ominous with each rendition,” a netizen, who shared a compilation of the different pigeon posters, wrote.

Others joked the rhymes had a Shakespearean flair, while some felt they sounded more like something out of a Dr Seuss book.

One commenter even quipped that someone at the CC was finally putting their communications degree to good use.

Naturally, the internet couldn’t resist joining in. One commenter dubbed it “Shakespeare in Bishan Park”, while another joked: “My friend Hamlet ask, ‘So, to feed, or not to feed…?'”

Perhaps the funniest responses came from netizens trying their hand at writing their own verses, including: “Pigeons in the air. Pooping in my hair.”

Another went full Shakespeare with: “If thou doth give thine food as pigeon feed, thou must realise that they will overbreed.”

Not everyone was convinced the poetic approach would be as effective as it was creative, though. Some pointed out that many of the people feeding the birds are elderly, and that the flowery language might simply be lost on them.

One netizen praised the CC’s “interesting attempt at educating the public”, but noted that many elderly residents feed the birds simply to pass the time and genuinely believe they’re doing something kind, without thinking about the consequences.

Another also wondered if a more straightforward “Don’t feed the birds” sign might get the message across better.

Earlier this year, Bishan East-Sin Ming MP Elysa Chen addressed the bird problem in an Instagram video, sharing that 19 banners had been put up around the estate to remind residents not to feed pigeons and crows. She said the CC had received complaints about noise, bird droppings on freshly laundered clothes, and even crows attacking residents.

She appealed to bird feeders to stop, adding that while they may think they’re doing a kind deed, it contributes to the birds’ overpopulation, resulting in various nuisances for the neighbourhood. Echoing the message on the banners, she also said the birds are able to find their own sustenance without being fed.

What started in Bishan seems to have flown far beyond the estate, with Singaporeans all over taking notice of the banners. Now, let’s hope the message gets across.

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