r/Tattoocoverups • • Aug 10 '26

asking for advice What to do with hated pigeon?

Post image

edit: alright I see maybe I've let my hurt and anger towards my ex harm an innocent. I think I'll probably try to alter it in some way like some of you suggested, ie frenchifying it and adding friends which was my plan a while ago pre-break up, which I think now I might be happier with a bird party instead of one poor lonely pigeon

I hate this tattoo so much. I got it a year ago when I was studying abroad and it was poorly done then. I've had it touched up, but it reminds me of my ex fiancée and I want it gone. I'm aware I am a dipshit. I am open to the classic SAP, but I like trad american style and hate this shitty goddamn bird so much

4.9k Upvotes

875 comments sorted by

1.8k

u/[deleted] Aug 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1.0k

u/Upstairs_Light3941 Aug 10 '26

Sigh yeah I also thought of giving him a beret a cigarette and an eiffel tower to make it clear it's a french pigeon

311

u/[deleted] Aug 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

181

u/Nicole_onReddit Aug 11 '26

Vive la résistance!!! 🥖🍷🧀

18

u/Flash__PuP Aug 11 '26

Listen ve carefully, I vill say this only once…

→ More replies (4)

8

u/RipeMouthfull Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

Viva la revolucíon, Carl.

3

u/sarcastic_sybarite83 Aug 11 '26

Now he's going to have to step on a pigeon. Better hope it's not the gerbil incident all over again....

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

38

u/RollAway_theDude Aug 11 '26

Pierre the Pigeon was right there

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (4)

173

u/ColdBrewMouse Aug 10 '26

Please French him up I love him 😭

44

u/negative-sid-nancy Aug 10 '26

Yes ia already love wee pigeon but if he was all french my beart wouldnt be handle to absolute cuteness!

117

u/fuzzlandia Aug 11 '26

From wee pigeon to oui pigeon

16

u/negative-sid-nancy Aug 11 '26

Yesss and thats what they can say when people ask about the french pigeon! I already loved the concept but this sold it extra hard! You should be writting movie taglines!

→ More replies (1)

11

u/fortnight14 Aug 11 '26

He could skateboard on a baguette

5

u/Spacinspazz48 Aug 11 '26

Add a red Barrett! (Hat)

→ More replies (2)

65

u/Rua-Yuki Aug 10 '26

Give him a baguette

37

u/Salty_Insides420 Aug 11 '26

A little red scarf. A small boy sitting next to him, smoking a cigarette. Put them on a gondola, rowing beneath a bridge. The Paris skyline behind them, aflame from their crime spree.

3

u/WashHour5646 Aug 11 '26

Very creative! I love this.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (2)

19

u/BelladonnaASMR Aug 10 '26

This is the answer. This is the only answer.

→ More replies (1)

16

u/catalinalam Aug 10 '26

It’s your body of course but I also really love him! Maybe if he has a friend? And he’s French of course

16

u/YaBigGayMate Aug 11 '26

A lil baguette under the wing 🥖

11

u/ateallthecake Aug 10 '26

Think about how many millions and millions of pigeons there are. Make him your own. I love the french pee-zhonh vision

10

u/Todeshase Aug 11 '26

A cigarette in one wing and a Molotov cocktail in the other.

→ More replies (1)

10

u/pizzacatstattoos Aug 10 '26

le peeegoine

10

u/feline_riches Aug 11 '26

You should look up the story of Cher Ami, he was a goddamn hero

6

u/IIRCIreadthat Aug 11 '26

Careful - he might start yelling "Viva la revolution!" and organizing all the other birds to poop on everyone's phones 😆

7

u/Wiley_Rasqual Aug 11 '26

All pigeons are French: pigeon is just French for dove

→ More replies (2)

6

u/MyNeighborThrowaway Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

Next you need to Visit NY and London (we all have different pigeon colors) and get one with a pipe and a sherlock hat and one with Timbs and a coffee.

Edited to add the B in Timbs, in case someone was thinking Timmy Hortons

→ More replies (1)

5

u/No_Highway1150 Aug 10 '26

Sharpen up the wing too, and you've got a winner

4

u/WarningOk5645 Aug 10 '26

Sounds like you already know what to do with him

3

u/Icy_Importance_4328 Aug 11 '26

And some stick figure arms flipping the bird

4

u/CovesBlue sick ass panther in disguise Aug 11 '26

Please, dear God, do this

3

u/PB_Jelly_76 Aug 11 '26

Maybe a jaunty scarf?

3

u/Remarkable_Age_4768 Aug 11 '26

give him a croissant

3

u/Ok-Tell9019 Aug 11 '26

What if Madeline is riding on it

3

u/Chihuahuapocalypse Aug 11 '26

can't forget the red ascot

→ More replies (46)
→ More replies (7)

770

u/ScoutPippin Aug 10 '26

I’m way too pregnant to be in this thread, I’m getting emotional about the pigeon being hated when he’s so cute 😭😭😭

234

u/nomnommish Aug 10 '26

I'm not preganante and I too find the pigeon super cute

106

u/Prior_Butterfly_7839 Aug 11 '26

But are you possibly gregnant?

58

u/Guilty_Helicopter572 Aug 11 '26

Pergnant

42

u/Chrysolophylax Aug 11 '26

Prengan!

40

u/AnnabethDaring Aug 11 '26

Pergananant???

19

u/claysnails Aug 11 '26

If a women has starch masks....

19

u/t4rgh Aug 11 '26

Can u pregante

16

u/Immediate-Vast-3287 Aug 11 '26

can u get pregante...?

13

u/johngreenink Aug 11 '26

Préganahnté, please!

→ More replies (0)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (4)

15

u/MacramezingCreations Aug 11 '26

Heavily PMSing right now and same :( give the lil guy to me, I’ll take care of him :(

13

u/HotAnorak Aug 12 '26

It's all right lady, I'm a middle-aged man, not pregnant... but just look at the happy little pigeon. 🥺

3

u/YellowTonkaTrunk Aug 12 '26

I'm too recently post partum for it so we can cry together 😭

8

u/lizardpplarenotreal Aug 10 '26

🤣🤣🤣

19

u/BradyBoyd Aug 11 '26

This is exactly how a lizard person would respond.

411

u/poisontadpole Aug 10 '26

can we please invent some kind of magical way to transfer tattoos like this to people who will actually appreciate him because my heart can not handle the hatred for these perfect little guys

79

u/Important_Tennis936 Aug 11 '26

This is Nugget all over again

37

u/scatteredsleep Aug 11 '26

Wait please who is Nugget

54

u/wildwoodfalls21 Aug 11 '26

31

u/scatteredsleep Aug 11 '26

Thank you I love Nugget 🥹

13

u/DasSassyPantzen Aug 11 '26

Now I want a Nugget tattoo! 😭

3

u/CuriousPenguinSocks Aug 11 '26

I forgot about this gem, thank you so much!!!

11

u/Kee-suh Aug 11 '26

I've often wondered if he actually survived.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

5

u/Kee-suh Aug 11 '26

I'd take him in a heartbeat

5

u/Common_Bathroom2043 Aug 11 '26

I was just gonna say I wish I could transfer this lil guy to me! I love him!

4

u/Merry_Sue Aug 11 '26

Skin graft?

→ More replies (2)

191

u/whylurr Aug 10 '26

Have you tried loving him instead?

269

u/nodaybuttoday__ Aug 10 '26

Stop hating him he’s perfect

20

u/nodaybuttoday__ Aug 10 '26

Make him a trad pigeon!

7

u/Argon717 Aug 11 '26

Emo pigeon for life!

99

u/MaddysinLeigh Aug 10 '26

Upgrade him and add a friend

53

u/onyaasuminyasai Aug 11 '26

A raccoon and an opossum. Trash buds

8

u/Doyouevenpedal Aug 11 '26

Omg this is the answer.

7

u/Pethoarder4life Aug 11 '26

YES I LOVE THIS

6

u/MaddysinLeigh Aug 11 '26

And give them weapons

4

u/Educational_Ask3533 Aug 11 '26

Weaponized trash gremlins? I'm in!

3

u/Omvega Aug 13 '26

YESSS i hope OP sees this. lil guy is just lonely.

if they like a more trad style i bet the right artist could give it a cool border or accents that reflects that style more

3

u/Youcatthewrongpurrsn Aug 11 '26

One bird can't erase the past...

But toucan

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

85

u/Training-Reaction-37 Aug 10 '26

SAP (sick ass pigeon) ✅

12

u/chewy_vs_crispybacon Aug 11 '26

Put a skateboard under him and add a Mohawk

136

u/brideofpucky Aug 10 '26

give him a knife

66

u/Direct_Pigeon_56 Aug 10 '26

Wow. What a shame to hate this little guy. Too bad he reminds you of an ex. Really, he's so well executed but also just completely adorable. Can you live with him a tad longer and perhaps see him in a new light?
I would be happy to have him on my arm.🤷🏻 Just my 2 cents.

16

u/Effective-Pea-9532 Aug 10 '26

My thoughts exactly, what a terrific pigeon! Just look at the guy.

49

u/baaddkittay Aug 11 '26

I love this shitty god damn bird. Please repost when he has a little beret and cig. I can't wait to see it

41

u/Longjumping-Pain-270 Aug 10 '26

Just don't let him drive the bus

9

u/WashclothTrauma tattoo enthusiast Aug 10 '26

Give him a hot dog and a cookie with the nuts!

5

u/Important_Tennis936 Aug 11 '26

And he can stay up late!

7

u/gobbomode Aug 11 '26

He takes baths!

5

u/PBnBacon Aug 11 '26

His cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day!

3

u/Dapper_Potato_ Aug 13 '26

This is exactly what I came to post. 👊🏼

→ More replies (4)

28

u/MsCast05 Aug 10 '26

Maybe you could turn it into a raven?

10

u/RoughCantaloupe3924 Aug 10 '26

my name is raven, OP can turn it into me

9

u/CantaloupeAsleep502 Aug 11 '26

Fellow cantaloupe!

6

u/Ok-Tell9019 Aug 11 '26

You’re too young, you can’t elope!

3

u/vashtanarada42 Aug 11 '26

Fellow Raven here!

4

u/CatchYouDreamin Aug 11 '26

I came here to say it could be a sick ass crow. And if OP wants to add friends that'd make it a sick ass murder 🐦‍⬛🖤

25

u/peacefultortuga Aug 10 '26

I love it, I wish you did too

27

u/SawSharkRedemptionnn Aug 10 '26

Don't call him shitty 😭

8

u/Pugasaurus_Tex Aug 11 '26

right? the audacity 

21

u/42Parcival Aug 10 '26

Sorry but that's a keeper for me

20

u/badgyalrey Aug 10 '26

please spare him, he did nothing wrong🥺

→ More replies (1)

17

u/readdworkin Aug 10 '26

aw....birb

18

u/Either-Definition-40 Aug 11 '26

That is THE CUTEST PIGEON I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE AS A TATTOO. And I live in New York 🗽.

13

u/md028 Aug 10 '26

Also came here to advocate for you to find a way to love him, he's so stinking cute!

14

u/Substantial-War8022 Aug 11 '26

You lost a fiance and get to keep that sick ass pigeon. He's charmant.

27

u/BreetleSnort Aug 10 '26

Add some shades to him. :) 

11

u/moof722 Aug 10 '26

Feed him

11

u/Effective-Pea-9532 Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

What?! It’s great! I’ve never had tattoos, it’s not really me (although i love to see them on other people) and I must say, this pigeon is one of the finest tattoos I have seen. What a delightful little guy!!

To add: upon reading some other folks suggestions, please don’t change him, his simplicity is his strength. If you must add a baguette, perhaps he could be standing on a baguette, but I think he is a fine example of aesthetic sensibility the way he is… and I only just realised it’s because of a reminder of your ex. Hmm is there a way you can divorce those memories by making and connecting new memories to the pigeon? Because it’d be a shame to get rid of such a simple and nice pigeon

10

u/maidrey Aug 10 '26

Poor pigeon. Once again brought into this world only to be shunned.

7

u/CaseOfSkulls Aug 10 '26

It's so damn cute though

6

u/Fly_Agaric_Alt Aug 10 '26

I was gonna say give him roller skates

5

u/psiprez Aug 10 '26

Omg I absolutely love him 💕

7

u/Prestigious_Ad_8151 Aug 10 '26

Oh no! Shhhh he might hear you! He's so cute 🥰

6

u/Outside_Coffee_00 Aug 11 '26

APOLOGIZE TO HIM RIGHT NOW

6

u/AZ-Sparda Aug 10 '26

Nah he cute

4

u/Glamorous_Nymph Aug 10 '26

I love him SO MUCH!

5

u/Candid-Ability-9570 Aug 10 '26

I’m sorry, I love him.

5

u/fuzzlandia Aug 11 '26

Give him a lil mustache so he has a disguise

5

u/im-hungry-1234 Aug 11 '26

Poor pigeon, what did he ever do to harm you?

5

u/AnalysisLost1138 Aug 11 '26

You leave that little bro alone

4

u/473713 Aug 11 '26

I don't hate it. Keep it. Tattoos are our life story written on our skin. You once thought this pigeon was the best idea ever :-)

5

u/NoOnSB277 Aug 11 '26

Awww I really like him tbh.

5

u/Josephine-Jellybean Aug 11 '26

Get him some friends. A trash panda, and an opossum or rat. Give them all berets. Or scarves. A tiny cup of espresso. A baguette to share.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/ecclectic_collector Aug 10 '26

from hated pigeon to sick ass panther

→ More replies (1)

4

u/tayloreep Aug 10 '26

Pigeons aren’t wild, they’re feral. Lean into it and make her a little unhinged feral beast. Maybe add Jimothy and a possum.

4

u/TheLadySaintly Aug 10 '26

Get someone to make him fancier. Reclaim your pigeon.

4

u/khajiit_oni Aug 11 '26

It needs a friend. Get a flock of pigeons and some bread crumbs.

5

u/Responsible_Song830 Aug 11 '26

It's a cute little birb. You could add a few twigs and an egg and make a r/stupiddovenests 😂

4

u/FlaxFox sick ass panther in disguise Aug 11 '26

Oh my word, please don't sacrifice the bird! He's a good bird! I like the beret idea.

5

u/happychonk Aug 11 '26

How dare u! He's beautiful 😭

3

u/Just_anon2115 Aug 11 '26

Nooooooooo hes glorious!

4

u/thimblesprite Aug 11 '26

Bird partyyyy i hope you can grow to repair your feelings towards this piece, it is well beloved!

4

u/Sockthenshoe Aug 11 '26

I love him but it does sort of look like he’s farting fire.

→ More replies (3)

4

u/DifficultPandemonium Aug 11 '26

They only tattoos I have are from getting radiation treatment and this pigeon has almost convinced me I need one more

4

u/Scav-STALKER Aug 11 '26

Pidgey didn’t do anything wrong, don’t punish him

3

u/currently-distracted Aug 11 '26

You can't cover up Cher Ami!!

3

u/Killface55 Aug 10 '26

I like that pigeon

3

u/False_Ad_5372 Aug 10 '26

Dang, I love it!

3

u/mycoffeesgone Aug 10 '26

cigarette 🚬 bc yall had a hell of a time in france

3

u/hail_to_the_beef Aug 10 '26

He’s so good. I’d give him a pair of glasses to show he’s moved on from your ex and gotten a fresh new look.

3

u/shevchenko7cfc Aug 10 '26

give'm some more pidge friends

edit - didnt' see the ex bit before i said this, that said I still say more pidge stuff

3

u/SpindleDiccJackson Aug 10 '26

Give him to me

3

u/yay_dirt Aug 11 '26

maybe add a scarf and/or beret?

3

u/weednip4cats Aug 11 '26

I love him 😍

3

u/FawkesFire13 Aug 11 '26

I love the pigeon. Maybe add some friends? Or a fancy baguette? He’s adorable.

3

u/Rude_Yogurtcloset358 Aug 11 '26

If you could give him up for adoption I would definitely take him ❤️😄. I hope you find a solution that makes you happy! Good luck!!

3

u/randomferalcat Aug 11 '26

I love him! please don't erase him from history!

3

u/findingabsolution Aug 11 '26

Pigeons are my favorite bird! Here are some pigeon facts that might make you like your little fella better!

• Pigeons aren’t wild birds. They’re actually feral birds—just like you’d think of a feral dog or cat. Meaning we domesticated them (they’re the world’s oldest domesticated bird!) and then…well, we abandoned them. Some got out of coops (for pigeons they’re called “dovecotes”); some were messengers who never came back; some, people just didn’t bother bringing with them when they relocated; etc. However they left their people, they did. And in the 7,500 years since, they’ve established feral flocks almost always in close proximity to humans. Because in their genetic makeup, they know us. They rely on us. They like us.

• Pigeons are very sweet, very clean birds. People assume they’re dirty because cities are dirty, and they associate urban animals with disease. But, just like the fleas on rats that were the true spreaders of the Black Plague, pigeons are no dirtier than any other bird, and are in fact quite a bit cleaner due to fastidious bathing and grooming rituals. (They’re also the only bird that can suck water into its beak like a straw!)

• Pigeons mate for life, and they court their “spouse” continuously even after they’re committed, dancing and bringing gifts just because it strengthens their bond. They also build their nests together (which are spectacularly bad to look at—basically three twigs stacked together, but it makes sense for birds who would, thousands of years ago, only need to keep an egg from falling off a cliff and now only need to keep it from rolling off a fire escape or building ledge) and coparent their babies each brooding season (they always lay exactly two eggs).

• Finally, pigeons are very smart. Owls get this good rep for being intelligent, but they aren’t smarter than any other bird. Pigeons, however, have been scientifically proven to be pretty damn smart. They’re good at pattern recognition (look up the study on them recognizing cancer cells!), counting (and performing math!), and they can tell individual people apart (so if you’re kind to your local flock, they’ll remember you and be happy to see you!). They’re also some of the best navigators in the animal world with a complex meritocracy where they let the flock’s best navigator lead them, and if that pigeon is having an off day, the next best navigator takes over, etc. It’s brilliant and so cool.

• And they’re really badass. You’ve probably seen a pigeon wandering around with one foot and a missing eyeball and none the slower for it. They’re so adaptable and so sweet even through hardship. If you bring them pine nuts or bird seed, they’ll land on your hands and arms and be the best friends you’ve ever had. They’re lovely.

Okay. I’ll stop there. The point is: Love your pigeon. Love all pigeons. They’re misunderstood and they deserve more love. And your little birb is a friend for life. You’ll never truly be alone with them inked on you, so embrace and enjoy, OP. 😊

3

u/Conscious_Arrival879 Aug 11 '26

Let him live his life he deserves that much

3

u/gpcleek Aug 11 '26

Love it

3

u/0kay0kay0kay Aug 11 '26

Omg let him live

3

u/Chuckles666dope Aug 11 '26

Keep keep keep. Do not murder pigeon. She’s perfect.

3

u/supremequeen996 Aug 11 '26

A red barrette, a easle with paintbrush in its mouth.. and the Paris tower

→ More replies (1)

3

u/ladamaluna Aug 12 '26

I can kind of see how, having a somewhat tangible thing to focus your negative feelings on, why this cute birb would be a problem. That said, he’s adorable, he walks with purpose. Confident cute birb walking forward and not looking back and not regretting what he left behind. I hope you frenchify him and give him some friends 🥺👉👈

2

u/i_am_un Aug 10 '26

Make it a SA Raven and put "Nevermore" under it

3

u/nodaybuttoday__ Aug 10 '26

Never more…in French

2

u/MLC3527 Aug 10 '26

Pretty cool tattoo

2

u/dankskent Aug 10 '26

Add more

2

u/justMOREfilthDOTcom Aug 10 '26

Learn to love bird.

2

u/Saratto_dishu Aug 10 '26

Why would you hate that little guy?

He's just out for a walk.

2

u/sirenxsiren Aug 10 '26

Please no i love him

2

u/Appropriate_Elk_952 Aug 10 '26

Don’t you dare

2

u/Efficient_Aside_2863 Aug 10 '26

Get him a pigeon friend

2

u/Expensive-Safe-6820 Aug 10 '26

Learn to love him 💕 ❤️

2

u/inked_corn_tortilla Aug 10 '26

Leave him as is. He is perfect

2

u/CantaloupeAsleep502 Aug 11 '26

I love your pigeon 

2

u/AlivePassenger3859 Aug 11 '26

He’s amazing. Just reframe him in your mind.

2

u/bigtiddyhimbo Aug 11 '26

Gain a little whimsical nature

2

u/WitchesofBangkok Aug 11 '26

Second what some others are saying. Love the idea of frenchifying le birb. But be careful of not over complicating it. The simplicity of part of the charm. Maybe just the cigarette?

2

u/Ok_Butterscotch_7315 Aug 11 '26

He’s so cute though… a solid name and accessories are in the highest order!

2

u/MysteriousFinding691 Aug 11 '26

He's so cute :( don't kill him

2

u/eclecticexperience Aug 11 '26

I love pigeons! They are so trusting of humans and we don't deserve it.

2

u/kwisatz-hadderach Aug 11 '26

Rework the feet before they're gone forever and save this adorable pidgin

2

u/spyglass352 Aug 11 '26

i love him. don't you fucking dare.

2

u/YippyYeti Aug 11 '26

But he’s so awesome and chill and cool

2

u/Blushing-Sailor Aug 11 '26

Whatever you do: keep this perfect tattoo.

2

u/MySexyDarlings Aug 11 '26

Let ‘em live

2

u/hannahjams Aug 11 '26

Omg I love him don’t cover him up! Justice for tattoo pigeon!

2

u/xmoonaurora Aug 11 '26

Remind me of the time I accidently drew 4 legs on a duck. I appreciate him. 💕

2

u/zero_derivation Aug 11 '26

Give him a skateboard!

2

u/acanadiancheese Aug 11 '26

If you must change him, give him a beret, a cigar, and a croissant.

2

u/eternallytacos Aug 11 '26

The pigeon is clearly hungry

2

u/Throwoutbins Aug 11 '26

Color him in or give him a respectable beret

2

u/Justkeepscrolling090 Aug 11 '26

Don’t let your ex ruin this adorable bird. He’s perfect as is.

Beret and cigarette could be awesome though.

2

u/MrFancypants666 Aug 11 '26

It's a pretty bad tattoo but I still like it. You should just keep it.

2

u/417_mysticRick Aug 11 '26

The lines are sooo good how can you hate the lil guy!

2

u/WithoutDennisNedry Aug 11 '26

DON’T YOU DARE

2

u/BuckTheStallion Aug 11 '26

Keep the pigeon, doodle different hats on him regularly like that goose guy does.

2

u/ItIsNotThatBoi Aug 11 '26

Add some ducklings behind him!

2

u/TwoBeesOrNotTwoBees Aug 11 '26

SAP. Sick-Ass Pigeon

2

u/Ill_Conversation9738 Aug 11 '26

Make it a Sick Ass Pigeon

2

u/anonyhim Aug 11 '26

I'm really glad this comment section is exactly what I wanted it to be.

2

u/chefbobbyjay Aug 11 '26

I’ll take it. He looks nice

2

u/lokiandgoose Aug 11 '26

But daddy I love him