Philadelphia Couple Launched Pigeon Tours in June 2025

Hannah Michelle Brower and Aspen Simone created a unique walking tour to change public perceptions of pigeons.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Bird Watching

Screen-print poster illustration featuring a stylized pigeon perched on a red brick ledge, invoking Philadelphia's urban character. — Philadelphia residents Hannah Michelle Brower and Aspen Simone launched unique walking tours this June, seeking to reframe public perceptions of urban pigeons. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you pay to attend a niche guided tour about wildlife or history in your area?

In June 2025, Philadelphia residents Hannah Michelle Brower and Aspen Simone began leading 90-minute pigeon tours. The initiative aims to shift the common view of pigeons as pests by sharing historical research and behavioral insights.

Why it matters

The founders launched these tours following personal employment changes during a federal government turnover. They now seek to rebrand the birds through education while providing a niche outdoor experience for locals and visitors.

The tours cost $30 per adult and typically draw between 10 and 20 participants per 90-minute session. Participants who are hit by pigeon excrement receive stickers as compensation for the incident.

The players

Hannah Michelle Brower

She is a co-founder of the Philadelphia-based pigeon tour company who adopted a pet pigeon named Primrose in 2022.

Aspen Simone

She co-operates the pigeon tour business alongside Hannah Michelle Brower to help educate the public on urban bird history.

Primrose

She is the four-year-old pet pigeon owned by the tour founders whose image is displayed on the flag carried during excursions.

The details

The couple leads the walking groups while carrying a flag that features an image of their pet pigeon, Primrose. They draw on books and historical research to educate attendees, focusing on the birds' history and behavior in the city.

October 2022: Hannah Michelle Brower and Aspen Simone adopted their pet pigeon, Primrose.
June 2025: The couple led their first pigeon tour in Philadelphia for 25 attendees.
August 15, 2026: Lindsey Benitz and her family participated in a tour.

Culture Shift

The couple's interest in urban pigeon behavior follows a broader societal shift in how Americans view bird species following the 1914 extinction of the passenger pigeon. Their tour company's efforts to destigmatize the urban pigeon contrast with the historical loss of that species.

Residents and visitors can participate in these weekly walking tours to learn about urban wildlife and history for a $30 fee. Attendees should be prepared for the possibility of being hit by pigeon droppings during the 90-minute experience.

The takeaway

These tours demonstrate how historical education can turn common city sights into unique educational experiences. Participants can use these excursions to gain a new appreciation for the birds that inhabit local urban environments.