Miriam Abrahams has beauty and grace—along with feathers on her face.
This East Village artist is one of seven performers vying for the title in Highline’s inaugural pigeon impersonation pageant.
At 34, she’s put in plenty of practice in her cherished papier-mâché pigeon costume, and this Saturday, she’ll finally step onto the stage, embodying one of the city’s iconic birds.
“They may seem weak, but they’re beautiful and smart,” Abrahams shared. “I want to give them a little bit of recognition.”
The first-ever pigeon pageant is part of the Highline Days of Hatfest, featuring games like Pin the Tail on the Pigeon and Dove Cornhole, as well as informative panels on making New York more bird-friendly.
Each act will have a brief performance period—around two minutes—for the crowd, reminiscent of Project Runway.
As contestants compete for the title, they’ll be exploring their creativity through dancing, lip-syncing, and storytelling. While several awards will be handed out, only one will claim the title of “New York City Top Pigeon.”
It’s a whimsical event, but it’s taken seriously; all participants had to audition to be a part of it.
Abrahams feels confident in her chances. Originally from Britain, she’s adopted the moniker of “Pit,” a playful alter ego, and has perfected her bobbing technique over the years.
“When I wear it, I become a ‘dove’ and take on those characteristics—they’re both clever and a bit goofy. I really love these creatures,” Abrahams explained, adding that she creates diverse costumes for her puppet show.
She noted that she initially designed the pigeon costume for a Halloween-themed event a few years back. But as she spent more time in it, she grew to love it, often donning the costume while out with friends, even getting some attention from confused dogs.
“This past year, I’ve had someone offer me bread, and I just had to rush over,” she said.
Her typical performances involve a bit of playful sound, but she hinted that her pageant routine will showcase something a bit different, possibly including “pizza.”
Apart from her passion for performance, Abrahams was motivated by her deep affection for animals, particularly pigeons, often referred to as Sky Rats.
“They get a bad rap in the city—mostly from ignorance,” she pointed out, sharing that she’s a long-time volunteer with the Wild Bird Fund.
“People often associate them with dirtiness and sickness, but that perception comes from our city’s environment and the waste they consume.”
This belief, along with the playful nature of the contest, was instrumental in creating the Pigeon Pageant and Dove Fest.
The festival features a massive pigeon sculpture by Ivan Argote, representing a positive thematic exploration of pigeons in urban life.
“Pigeons are iconic in the city, yet they’re often misunderstood; they symbolize complex themes,” Abrahams noted.
Despite this deeper meaning, Zakarin assures that the pageant will be a lot of fun.
While the title of New York City’s Top Pigeon is at stake, other fun awards will honor the best feathers, impressive moves, and even an Avan Guard Award.
Zakarin also suggested that audience members might win some prizes, encouraging attendees to dress up for the event.
“We’d love to see people come in costume; they could end up winning awards as well,” she mentioned.
