Melbourne's 'Crazy Pigeon Lady' Rescues Birds One Foot at a Time

Tahlia sits outside Melbourne's State Library, surrounded by a cloud of pigeons, gently cradling one in a sock she calls "pigeon jail." She's carefully snipping away thread wrapped so tightly around its toes that it's cutting off circulation.

Known as "Frill" to her 300,000 social media followers, the 26-year-old has become Melbourne's unofficial pigeon rescuer. Her mission is simple: save birds from stringfoot, a painful condition caused by human hair, thread, and string getting tangled around their feet.

"This is likely a thread from a piece of clothing," she explains while treating one bird. "A lot of the time, human hair and pet hair can get stuck around their feet, too."

She learned the delicate rescue technique from Melbourne pigeon enthusiast groups. Now she carries bird seed, sanitizer, nail scissors, and her trusty sock wherever she goes, just in case she spots a bird in need.

The work can take up to 20 minutes per bird. She lures them close with seed, gently catches them, and carefully removes every strand threatening their tiny feet. Some pigeons have already lost toes or entire feet to the condition.

"Stringfoot is a small symptom of a bigger issue," she says. "Humans cause man-made problems that affect all the animals around them."

Her colorful hair and unusual hobby attract curious crowds. Children ask to help feed the birds. Others stand watching, fascinated by her gentle care for creatures most people ignore or dismiss.

"You'll usually get a flock of people who want to join in," she says with a laugh. "I get a lot of people who will do drive-by insults, but a lot of people are genuinely curious."

Meanwhile, an hour outside Melbourne, Stevan Gazzola is fighting a different battle for pigeons. The longtime racer keeps 2,000 birds and launched the Meadow One Loft Race four years ago, hoping to revive a disappearing sport.

"They're just dying off. There's no young people joining," he says. His local club membership has dropped from 300 to just 90, mostly aging pensioners.

But Gazzola has noticed something hopeful: young migrants are discovering the sport. "A lot of young Filipinos and Afghans are getting into it here," he says.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Together, these two Australians are changing how people see pigeons. Frill's videos have introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the gentleness and intelligence of city birds they once ignored. Her rescue work has inspired viewers to look closer at the wildlife suffering quietly in urban spaces.

Gazzola's racing community, though small, is finding new life through diverse newcomers who appreciate the skill and dedication these "athletes of the sky" require. His one-loft race gives owners across Australia a chance to compete and connect over their shared passion.

Both prove that pigeons deserve better than their "rats with wings" reputation.