Rats and pigeons have taken over spot near Upper West Side subway station, neighbors say

Everyday is Thanksgiving dinner for a growing flock of pigeons near an Upper West Side subway station.

For people just passing through, it’s a curiosity. But for those who live in the neighborhood, the all-day buffet for the birds is creating an all-night feast for rats, and the locals want to put a stop to the feeding frenzy.

A local leader pins the blame lies squarely on those leaving food for the birds, because that is attracting the rodents and allowing them to run amok near the corner of 96th Street and Broadway, where the 1/2/3 trains run.

“When you feed the pigeons, you’re going to bring the rats because they like the same grain. The same seeds,” said Councilmember Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side.

Brewer said the pigeon problem begins each day in the morning. That’s when animal lovers, some of whom have been seen on video, feed the birds. But every evening, there are leftovers — and the result is a feast for rats.

“The rats are behind you, they just come out and if there is food by your foot they go right by your foot. They aren’t even scared of humans,” said Deborah Kelly.

Another local resident, Susan Lawrence, said she has had a rat come right across her foot as it was going for the leftover food.

Brewer said she has pleaded with the Mayor Eric Adams administration, writing a letter asking for measures to prevent the feeding of pigeons. However, the city’s Health Department responded by saying that it’s not illegal to feed pigeons or other wildlife.

“I was a little surprised there was nothing that could be done to stop people from feeding them,” said Brewer.

Though some New Yorkers don’t mind sharing the space with pigeons, others say it reminds them too much of of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. And the rats? They’re for the birds.

“I think they are flying rats and they should do something about it,” said Sheila Mitchell, who lives on the Upper West Side.

Earlier in August, Mayor Adams touted several months straight of decreasing rat sightings based on 311 complaints. A lot of the neighbors in the area would like to see a more intense presence of Health and Parks Department staff to dissuade people feeding birds.