When news broke of St. Paul's new plan to reduce the downtown pigeon population by trying to get the birds to live in coops and then stealing their eggs, we wondered what Andrew Blechman and Stephanie Boyles would think.

Blechman is the author of "Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird" (Grove Press, 2006).

Boyles, a wildlife biologist with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is basically PETA's pigeon-protection point person.

First of all, both Blechman and Boyles say pigeons are unfairly maligned as disease-spreading flying rats. Yes, pigeon poop is a nuisance, but you're highly unlikely to get sick from a pigeon, they say. Pigeons have gotten a bad rap, they say, thanks to pigeon-control companies eager to fan the fear of the birds.

Blechman goes on to say, "Pigeons actually (have been) man's best friend for 10,000 years."

Noah's dove was actually a pigeon, according to Blechman. The results of the first Olympics and the battle of Waterloo were carried on the wings of pigeons. Gentle, loyal, useful and valiant, message-carrying pigeons saved thousands of soldiers' lives in World War I and II, he adds.

Plus, they pass the ultimate test of whether an animal is worth admiring. "They absolutely do mate for life," Blechman says.

However, if you do want to control a city pigeon population, St. Paul's plan is a good one, Blechman and Boyles agree.

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It's both humane and has proven effective in European cities, they say.

"It's outstanding, actually," Boyles says. "It's exactly the right way."

"If it's done properly, it can work. It's the only thing that can work," Blechman says. "St. Paul, believe it or not, is on the cutting edge of humane pigeon control (especially compared with past efforts to trap and kill the birds). You guys could be the model city that the rest of the country follows."

St. Paul's plan - motivated by a desire to spruce up the downtown area in advance of the Republican National Convention next year - involves modifying the skyway girders so the pigeons don't have level surfaces on which to nest.

Then, the city plans to build coops or dovecotes - city officials call them pigeon condos - and get downtown property owners to install them on rooftops. Workers would then collect the eggs.

Great plan, Blechman and Boyles say.

But Boyles says to be even more effective, the city should "replace the eggs with duds." In other words, slip in wood or plastic eggs so the birds won't lay another egg so quickly.

Another important step: Discourage the public from feeding the birds.

"Overfeeding is actually cruel," Blechman says. "It leads to overpopulation and stress in the community."

Bob Kessler, the city's director of licensing, inspection and environmental protection, says city officials already know about the fake-egg tip. They've also heard suggestions they should return the actual eggs after they've been boiled or frozen.

Kessler says news of the new pigeon campaign has attracted about 50 calls, many from people who say they know of a sure-fire pigeon deterrent, ranging from oil of peppermint to WD-40.

"Some say, 'I can't tell you over the phone,' " Kessler says.

He says he's having interns follow up on the tips, "just to see if there's a new mousetrap."

He also acknowledges the importance of discouraging pigeon feeding. But he says it may be tough to persuade some hard-core feeders to give up their habit of giving away sacks of food.

"Like 20, 30, 40 pounds a day," Kessler said.

Richard Chin can be reached at rchin@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5560.