In this video  Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss  discuss experiments with pigeons that Richard Dawkins believes shed light on superstitious behavior in humans.

Depiction of “Mr Hug and Luv” as a God of the Pigeons
(photography by me)

I think that these pigeons were frightened by “Mr Hug and Luv”. I put some food close by him, and the pigeons were initially reluctant to go after it. Most of the time pigeons and sparrows will voraciously go after whatever food one throws on the ground. But after a time they had coaxed the food far enough away from “Mr Hug and Luv” for the pigeons to be comfortable consuming it.

This image (below) of pigeons being fed baloney that has a humorous/ satirical tie in to the post, as “baloney” is slang for foolishness or nonsense, “pigeon” is slang for one who is easily swindled or a dupe, and “it’s for the birds” is slang for something that is considered worthless.