Love this story. We have wood pigeons in our garden all year round, at least two breeding pairs this year. We laugh because their nests are ludicrous, a couple of twigs and a tuft of grass. One pair has lost its eggs this year, we found them on the ground, one still intact with a dead chick. Another year we watched them rearing the chick, feeding it on top of our gazebo, right by a bedroom window. They drive our pug bananas! Heās made it his mission to scare them away but they just come straight back as soon as heās gone inside. His ineffectual woofs donāt seem to phase them.
Inner peace? I think I'm still looking for it. As far as birds, your stories about the pigeons reminded me of when one flew into our living room through the open patio door. It was flapping all around the room, and finally settled near the fireplace. We managed to capture it there, but it did get some soot on its wings and with a bit more flapping, soon we had soot everywhere. Finally we got it through the open door and out into the open air. What a scary adventure for the bird, I would imagine.
You paint a vivid picture of the chaos the bird caused. I bet it took a bit of clearing up. I also think of inner peace as something that makes your heart sing.
Of the pigeon ilk, I like the stock dove best I think - a bit smaller and less ungainly than the wood pigeon (I have nothing against wood pigeons), and with a much more glitzy sequinned boa. They cuddle up in pairs on the tree.
Two summers ago we had a wood pigeon nest in the Elder just outside the bathroom window, with two (yes, very unattractive) chicks. That nest was the most useless, hopeless thing I have ever seen under a bird. Far too small and flimsy, consisting of about 6 twigs, and frankly Elder hasn't the most robust of branches for a heavy bird. Sadly, it was either plundered or fell apart, and the babies disappeared. I was quite bereft.
So much to learn about pigeons! You asked what my favorite bird was, and I have to say it's the hawk. We had a nest in the tree behind our barn when we lived in Texas. I watched the baby's grow up and take flight! I even wrote an essay about it.
What a lovely story! I have also never seen a pigeon baby. And it so heartbreaking that pigeons are now viewed as nuisance and pests in the city and they can't even build proper nests for their chicks as they used to be dependent on people. I love pigeons, I think they are sweet and lovely birds, with their curious eyes and funny but confident walk. More love for the pigeons!
Love this story. We have wood pigeons in our garden all year round, at least two breeding pairs this year. We laugh because their nests are ludicrous, a couple of twigs and a tuft of grass. One pair has lost its eggs this year, we found them on the ground, one still intact with a dead chick. Another year we watched them rearing the chick, feeding it on top of our gazebo, right by a bedroom window. They drive our pug bananas! Heās made it his mission to scare them away but they just come straight back as soon as heās gone inside. His ineffectual woofs donāt seem to phase them.
They have found solace in your garden, what an honour. They definitely need to perfect the comfort element of their nest building. š š
Inner peace? I think I'm still looking for it. As far as birds, your stories about the pigeons reminded me of when one flew into our living room through the open patio door. It was flapping all around the room, and finally settled near the fireplace. We managed to capture it there, but it did get some soot on its wings and with a bit more flapping, soon we had soot everywhere. Finally we got it through the open door and out into the open air. What a scary adventure for the bird, I would imagine.
You paint a vivid picture of the chaos the bird caused. I bet it took a bit of clearing up. I also think of inner peace as something that makes your heart sing.
Of the pigeon ilk, I like the stock dove best I think - a bit smaller and less ungainly than the wood pigeon (I have nothing against wood pigeons), and with a much more glitzy sequinned boa. They cuddle up in pairs on the tree.
Two summers ago we had a wood pigeon nest in the Elder just outside the bathroom window, with two (yes, very unattractive) chicks. That nest was the most useless, hopeless thing I have ever seen under a bird. Far too small and flimsy, consisting of about 6 twigs, and frankly Elder hasn't the most robust of branches for a heavy bird. Sadly, it was either plundered or fell apart, and the babies disappeared. I was quite bereft.
Thank you for your insight on the stock dove. I agree, the wood pigeon needs some nest building lessons as it is a common thread here.
So much to learn about pigeons! You asked what my favorite bird was, and I have to say it's the hawk. We had a nest in the tree behind our barn when we lived in Texas. I watched the baby's grow up and take flight! I even wrote an essay about it.
Thank you for your comment and restack Frances . I would love to read your essay about the baby hawks you "raised", I bet they were a sight to behold.
What a lovely story! I have also never seen a pigeon baby. And it so heartbreaking that pigeons are now viewed as nuisance and pests in the city and they can't even build proper nests for their chicks as they used to be dependent on people. I love pigeons, I think they are sweet and lovely birds, with their curious eyes and funny but confident walk. More love for the pigeons!
Thank you Birgit. More love for pigeons for sure. I agree, they do have a confident strut when they are feeling safe.