Rochester Pigeon Who Cannot Fly Takes On A Role No One Expected
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have wings but never be able to fly?
That’s the reality for Herman, a gentle pigeon from Rochester, New York. A cruel virus stole the one thing that separates birds from most other animals—his ability to soar through the skies.
But thanks to his devoted human friend, Sue Rogers, Herman’s life found a new purpose—and surprisingly, it involves puppies.
Herman’s journey, like so many of the stories we share on Animalko, began with hardship. A group of concerned people noticed him in a parking lot, sitting in the same spot for days.
He never took flight, his head tilted awkwardly, and he appeared emaciated and weak. Alarmed for his safety, they contacted Sue, founder of The Mia Foundation, an animal rescue dedicated to helping animals born with birth defects.
Sue immediately agreed to take Herman in to determine what was wrong.
After close observation, she suspected that the culprit was PMV, or avian paramyxovirus type 1—a virus that can cause serious issues in birds, including lethargy, neck twisting, head flicking, and labored breathing. Many of these symptoms were evident in Herman.
Sue and her husband worked tirelessly, providing tube-feeding and careful handling to help Herman regain strength.
Though he gradually became healthier, he unfortunately never regained his ability to fly. When Sue contacted local shelters, many refused to take him in, some even suggesting euthanasia because a flightless bird was considered “unworthy.”
But Sue couldn’t allow that to happen. Knowing Herman could not survive in the wild, she made a noble decision: she adopted him herself.
With her expertise caring for animals with special needs, Sue knew Herman could thrive in her home. But his new life came with a unique purpose.
At The Mia Foundation, Sue often fosters newborn puppies born with congenital defects. She nurtures them until they’re ready for forever homes, and Herman quickly found his role in this process.
From the start, snuggling and preening the tiny pups became Herman’s favorite pastime. As Sue shared in an interview:
“The Mia Foundation gets a lot of newborn puppies. He loves the little newborns. I started introducing new puppies to him and it was always the same reaction. He always just wanted to snuggle with them. He even tries preening them.”
Herman seemed determined to share the love he had received from Sue with the puppies, offering warmth and comfort to each new arrival.
Even though Herman can’t fly, Sue makes sure his days are meaningful. On sunny days, she takes him outside to walk on the grass and feel the warmth of the sun. It may seem simple, but these moments clearly bring Herman joy.
When asked about pigeons in general, Sue said:
“Pigeons really get a bad rap. I’m amazed at their intelligence, how cuddly and sweet they are. I really, really love them.”
Herman’s story is inspiring—not just for pigeons, but for all of us. It’s a reminder that perceived flaws don’t define our potential. Sometimes, we don’t need wings to fly—just determination, dreams, and someone to help guide us along the way.
