A neighbour feeds the birds and I was quite happy to see several wood pigeons enjoying the free feed. In fact for several months it was just wood pigeons that would come. Wood pigeons are the largest pigeon and are quite attractive birds. They have plump looking bodies with a pink breast and a white patch on the neck. They take off with a loud clatter and have a distinctive cooing call,
According to the RSPB they are also UK's commonest pigeon. That is surprising as I thought the feral pigeon was much more common, but maybe there are still lots of wood pigeons in the countryside.
They must be constantly on the look out for food because whenever I went to a window, they would fly down hoping to be fed. Quite often one would spend time chasing off another instead of eating. And a pair would sleep in the tree right in front of me. Getting ready for bed -
Unusual to see them resting on the fence like this (photo taken through double glazing) -
Wood pigeons feeding together
But things have changed. Slowly feral pigeons started joining the free food and the wood pigeon numbers decreased. Feral pigeons are also known as rock doves and are the wild ancestors of today's domestic pigeons. Those domestic pigeons were originally bred from the wild rock doves. The rock, domestic and feral pigeons are thus all the same species and will readily interbreed. Generally feral pigeons don't interbreed with wood pigeons.
Pigeons have quite a bad reputation in cities worldwide and are often called flying rats. And their droppings can be a huge nuisance. I have mixed feelings. On the positive side I admire their huge variation in colours and patterns. They come in all shades. There were some quite pretty ones amongst them.
Feral pigeons are also known for their vertical takeoff. Other birds that take off vertically are some shorebirds and ducks. A BBC video of this.
By Sept the wood pigeons had disappeared, leaving just the feral pigeons. They wait in the morning for their food, and then in the afternoon they start to gather, hoping to be fed again.
Then during the winter I was pleased to see 1 wood pigeon had returned. I am now seeing it every day, I assume it is the same one, as it is the only one. The feral pigeons sometimes try to chase it away. I keep an eye out for it and if I see it in a nearby tree, I throw out some bread or peanuts.
And apt cartoon (Jan 2021) to end the blog on pigeons -
