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Pigeons aren’t in line to win many popularity contests. Dismissed as drab pests with few redeeming qualities, the ubiquitous birds have earned the nasty nickname “rats with wings.”

Not fair, says Courtney Humphries, author of the new book, “Superdove.”

Pigeons, she says, were the first bird to be domesticated. They brought Noah the good news, inspired Charles Darwin, and have served bravely in war. What’s more, we humans have made them what they are today.

This hour, a new book reassesses the humble pigeon.

- Jane Clayson, guest host

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Guests:

Joining us in our studio is Courtney Humphries, author of “Superdove: How the Pigeon Took Manhattan… and the World.” She’s also a science writer who has written for numerous publications, including Newsweek, Harvard Magazine, and Technology Review.

Joining us from Gilroy, California is John Heppner, president of the National Pigeon Association. He has been breeding pigeons for over fifty years and has won “Master Breeder” awards for six breeds of pigeon

Joining us from Bella Vista, Arkansas is Laura Dodson, president of the Argyle Civic Association in Hollywood, California. She has led the effort to control the pigeon population in Hollywood through the use of birth control.

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Read an excerpt from “Superdove: How the Pigeon Took Manhattan … And the World.”