’Aunt Paloma was a pigeon’ imagines an alternative theory of evolution in which mankind has descended from the pigeon.
Drawing upon the biological and social similarities we share with Britain’s most abhorred bird, it is a whimsical story about life, love and family. Creating a fictional narrative from a factual underpinning, ‘Aunt Paloma was a pigeon’ questions the extent to which human culture may have been shaped by our avian origins, and serves as a reminder that we as a
species are no more superior to the humble pigeon.


Photography and illustration by Alice Garrett-Jones

Columba Sapiens diverged from the rock dove (Columba Livia) 2.5 million years ago. They would have kept many characteristics of the rock dove, including feathered skin, a beak and wings. Fully grown, they would be similar in size to a small child. Their body mass likely meant they were unable to fly

The Columba Sapiens were not suited to land-bound life. It is thought the extinction of the Columba Sapiens occurred around 170,000 years ago since their bird-like legs made it difficult to escape predators on foot. Homo Sapiens diverged from the Columba Sapiens 200,000 years ago

The Father of Evolution, Charles Darwin kept and studied fancy pigeons. His experiments in cross-breeding pigeons provided crucial evidence for his theory that changed the world: evolution by natural selection

Evolutionary divergence occurs when groups of the same species adapt, accumulating differences which result in the formation of new species. Two very different species can share a common ancestor

Pigeons and doves all belong to the Columbidae family, which includes approximately 318 species, divided into 42 genera

Theories why we lost the ability to fly:

1. our brains grew too large

2. dietary changes resulted in increased bone density

3. female bodies adapted to safely carry our young inside us

Are pigeons the reason we fall in love, get married and build a home together?

Love’s essential biology is evolutionarily ancient. The release of oxytocin creates intimacy and trust,increases fidelity and strengthens relationships. It’s released by men and women during orgasm, and by mothers during childbirth and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is almost identical to the hormone mesotocin in pigeons

Like father like husband? It has long been speculated that women tend to choose partners similar to their fathers. Research has suggested that female pigeons may be more likely to choose a mate with similar markings to her parents

Pigeons share parental duties evenly between the mother and father, taking it in turns to sit on the nest. They never leave their baby’s side.

Pigeons make better fathers than human men. Both male and female pigeons lactate, producing milk to feed their young. Pigeon milk is more nutritious than human or cow’s milk, enabling the baby to double in size in 48 hours

It is believed female Columba Sapiens were more attracted to males who exhibited muscular chests, a trait which restricted milk gland activity. Increased milk production was associated with lower levels of masculinity. During mating rituals, muscular males had an advantage over their smaller rivals who produced more milk. Over time, males evolved to stunt mammary gland development during puberty.

'Aunt Paloma was a Pigeon' photobook preview. Available to buy here

’Aunt Paloma was a pigeon’ imagines an alternative theory of evolution in which mankind has descended from the pigeon.
Drawing upon the biological and social similarities we share with Britain’s most abhorred bird, it is a whimsical story about life, love and family. Creating a fictional narrative from a factual underpinning, ‘Aunt Paloma was a pigeon’ questions the extent to which human culture may have been shaped by our avian origins, and serves as a reminder that we as a
species are no more superior to the humble pigeon.


Photography and illustration by Alice Garrett-Jones

Columba Sapiens diverged from the rock dove (Columba Livia) 2.5 million years ago. They would have kept many characteristics of the rock dove, including feathered skin, a beak and wings. Fully grown, they would be similar in size to a small child. Their body mass likely meant they were unable to fly

The Columba Sapiens were not suited to land-bound life. It is thought the extinction of the Columba Sapiens occurred around 170,000 years ago since their bird-like legs made it difficult to escape predators on foot. Homo Sapiens diverged from the Columba Sapiens 200,000 years ago

The Father of Evolution, Charles Darwin kept and studied fancy pigeons. His experiments in cross-breeding pigeons provided crucial evidence for his theory that changed the world: evolution by natural selection

Evolutionary divergence occurs when groups of the same species adapt, accumulating differences which result in the formation of new species. Two very different species can share a common ancestor

Pigeons and doves all belong to the Columbidae family, which includes approximately 318 species, divided into 42 genera

Theories why we lost the ability to fly:

1. our brains grew too large

2. dietary changes resulted in increased bone density

3. female bodies adapted to safely carry our young inside us

Are pigeons the reason we fall in love, get married and build a home together?

Love’s essential biology is evolutionarily ancient. The release of oxytocin creates intimacy and trust,increases fidelity and strengthens relationships. It’s released by men and women during orgasm, and by mothers during childbirth and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is almost identical to the hormone mesotocin in pigeons

Like father like husband? It has long been speculated that women tend to choose partners similar to their fathers. Research has suggested that female pigeons may be more likely to choose a mate with similar markings to her parents

Pigeons share parental duties evenly between the mother and father, taking it in turns to sit on the nest. They never leave their baby’s side.

Pigeons make better fathers than human men. Both male and female pigeons lactate, producing milk to feed their young. Pigeon milk is more nutritious than human or cow’s milk, enabling the baby to double in size in 48 hours

It is believed female Columba Sapiens were more attracted to males who exhibited muscular chests, a trait which restricted milk gland activity. Increased milk production was associated with lower levels of masculinity. During mating rituals, muscular males had an advantage over their smaller rivals who produced more milk. Over time, males evolved to stunt mammary gland development during puberty.

'Aunt Paloma was a Pigeon' photobook preview. Available to buy here

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