Downtown Orlando’s inflatable pigeons ‘hunkered’ for Helene

Downtown Orlando’s inflatable pigeons, which are perched atop buildings as part of a public art project, have decided not to fly the coop, even amid winds and rain caused by Hurricane Helene.

The 16-foot-tall birds (when inflated) were wrapped up, deflated and looked much less pigeon-like when seen from the sidewalk on Thursday as gusty winds whipped palm fronds around on downtown streets. Bungalower’s Brendan Bunting O’Connor posted on social media that they are “hunkered” for the storm.

“Reddit users have been placing bets on these birds flying the coop since we first released them into downtown Orlando, but little did they know that they’re all anchored by big iron beams underneath their little neon pigeon feet,” said O’Connor, who hatched the idea in collaboration with Creative City Project. “They’re big chunky creatures that have been swaddled and burritoed for the storm.”

The birds first landed in the City Beautiful’s urban center in August, thanks to funds set aside for public art. The $1.36 million yearlong initiative is led by Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency with the help of United Arts of Central Florida, Creative City Project and the Downtown Arts District.

These neon-colored critters, which have received mostly positive reviews but also some detractors on Reddit, can be seen on sunnier days on top of Wall Street Cantina, Casey’s on Central, Taco Kat and several other downtown locations.

The pigeons will be on display through Oct. 17, but the “DTOLive” project continues through June 2025, bringing more than 800 performances and events to 11 public spaces in downtown Orlando. During the public art initiative, visitors to downtown Orlando can also see artwork in vacant storefront windows, hear musicians in the streets and experience an expanded Third Thursday celebration.

The goal of DTOLive is to increase pedestrian traffic, improve business for restaurants and retailers, employ local artists and, above all, to breathe new life and vibrancy into the City Beautiful’s urban core.

O’Connor said the pigeons would be popping back up “ASAP” after the winds and rain from Hurricane Helene had passed through Central Florida.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.