STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If Staten Islanders on the North Shore look closely Tuesday, they may get a glimpse of a 700-pound pigeon.
But don’t be alarmed! It’s not real.
It’s a huge float set out by the New York City FC (NYCFC) en route to a “Five Borough Flight” that starts at the North Shore Waterfront in Staten Island and follows the East and Hudson Rivers all day, leading to Willets Point, where NYCFC is set to open its new home, Etihad Park, in 2027.
“Timed to coincide with the FIFA Club World Cup taking place across the river in New Jersey, the installation is NYCFC’s way of proudly repping the city and reminding fans of the home club in their backyard,” a release from the club read. “The 700lb pigeon, a nod to New York’s most prolific resident and the Club’s unofficial mascot, was designed to stop soccer fans in their tracks during a peak moment for the sport and kick start the future of NYC football.”
The pigeon’s flight from its personal point of view can be seen via YouTube video at the top of this story.
The PR release says the float was created by creative studio agency Tavern. The pigeon took flight at 8:30 a.m. from Staten Island and flew up the Hudson River to Riverbank State Park, before turning back around and making its way down to the East River.
The float is expected to visible when it returns to Staten Island around 5 p.m., about an hour before this writing.
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