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This special episode of Talons of Hope—a podcast typically dedicated to the majestic "masters of the sky" like kestrels, hawks, and falcons—shifts its focus to a bird often dismissed as mere prey: the pigeon. For World Biological Diversity Day, we are exploring why the pigeon is actually the "oldest company we keep," a partnership that predates nations and many of our gods.

In this episode, we delve into the profound history and modern paradox of our relationship with these birds:

• A 3,500-Year-Old Bond: New archaeological evidence from Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus reveals that by 1400 B.C., pigeons were already living in our kitchens and eating the same grains and vegetables as our ancestors. This bone chemistry finally confirms the ancient link between pigeons and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who is traditionally depicted with a pigeon in her palm.
• From Partners to Pests: For millennia, pigeons served as messengers, sources of fertilizer, and beloved companions. We specifically bred them to be dependent on us, only to rebrand them as a "nuisance" and "abandon" them following the Industrial Revolution.
• The "Beautiful Mess" of Conservation: This special explores the theme of "Acting Locally for Global Impact" by contrasting the heartbreaking loss of 3 billion birds in North America with recent "jam-side-up" wins, such as the record-breaking 8,000-species day for citizen science and the recovery of the kākāpō in New Zealand.
• A Call to Notice: Ultimately, we discuss how "leaning back in" to notice and feed the birds around us is a 3,500-year-old act of local conservation that still defines what kind of company we want to be.

If you like this episode of Talons of Hope, please don't forget to subscribe and also subscribe to my Substack: Jam Side Up — of birds, belongings and a beautiful mess.

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In this episode of Talons of Hope, we sit down with John Goodell, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Archives of Falconry in Boise, Idaho, for a conversation about what it means to protect a living tradition.

The Archives of Falconry was founded in 1986 by the same falconers who helped launch modern raptor conservation. Today, it stands as a destination for anyone drawn to the ancient bond between humans and birds of prey. John walks us through the organization's bold chapter: becoming an independent nonprofit in 2021, leading a major renovation of its exhibition space, digitizing thousands of objects and rare texts, and acquiring the Karl-Heinz Gersmann Library, now considered the most complete falconry library in the world.

We explore how falconry shaped the recovery of the peregrine falcon, why UNESCO recognizes falconry as a living human heritage practiced for over 4,000 years, and how early falconry manuscripts contributed to the foundations of ornithology itself. John also shares the story behind publishing An Illustrated Mirror of Hawking, a stunning Japanese falconry work originally from 1863, now available in English for the first time.

This episode arrives just ahead of the Archives' Spring Rendezvous, the organization's largest annual gathering, where falconers from around the world come together to celebrate heritage, honor mentors, and invest in the future of conservation.

Whether you're a lifelong falconer or someone who's never seen a hawk on the fist, this conversation will change how you think about tradition, stewardship, and the quiet power of paying attention to the natural world.

With gratitude to the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund for supporting Talons of Hope, and to Kiran Ghadge for the partnership and belief that storytelling can move conservation forward.

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In this unforgettable first episode of a special three-part Talons of Hope trilogy, host Dr Munir Virani sits down with one of the most extraordinary figures in the world of raptor conservation: Simon Thomsett.

Falconer, eagle man, artist, mentor, rescuer, rehabilitator, adventurer, and master craftsman of the wild, Simon is the kind of person scriptwriters would struggle to invent. His life has been shaped by birds of prey, by danger, by beauty, by grit, and by an unshakable devotion to the natural world.

For more than three decades, Munir has known Simon not just as a conservation icon, but as a personal mentor and friend. Some of his most treasured memories are of time spent with Simon in the field, listening to unforgettable stories around a campfire, tales of eagles, impossible rescues, near misses with lions, and a life lived far beyond the ordinary.

In this deeply personal and richly layered conversation, Simon reflects on the pursuits and experiences that made him a legend. From breeding and successfully releasing Crowned Eagles, to conducting surgery and fitting prosthetics to injured raptors, to mentoring hundreds of people around the world, Simon’s life has been one of rare skill, compassion, originality, and purpose.

This episode explores the man behind the myth: his achievements, artistry, adventures, hard-earned philosophy, and the fierce belief that every bird matters. It also asks deeper questions about how conservation has changed over the decades, what has been lost, what still matters, and whether there is still hope for raptors and the wild places they inhabit.

This is more than a podcast. It is a tribute to a singular life, and to a man who has inspired generations to care more deeply, act more courageously, and look at birds of prey with awe, respect, and responsibility.