Pigeon cere - London UK (1 Viewer)

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

Firstly, I wasn't sure whether to post this in Birds and Birding or here, so apologies if I made the wrong choice.

OK I know it's a Pigeon, I have over 40 of them in my garden every day. But look at the cere, it's dark grey. I have never seen a Pigeon without a whitish cere (apart from juveniles of course).

It's actually possible this is a regular who's cere has changed, but I'm not sure. My best guesses so far are, age, illness, or dirt.

So does anyone have any thoughts on this? (remember that Pigeons are birds too.|=)|)

(attached pic is through a grubby part of the window and has reflections, but the cere can be seen clearly)

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

Over 60 views, 18 have bothered to enlarge the thumbnail, no replies.

Pretend it's not a Pigeon, pretend it's something "cute", or "rare". Go on, I won't tell anyone you replied to a Pigeon thread.|=)|

Apodemus · Jul 1, 2009

Don't make assumptions.

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

Apodemus said:
Don't make assumptions.

I wasn't serious Mike, that's why I added the smilie.

Apodemus · Jul 1, 2009

two smilies

and a pigeon o

just to be on the safe side

OK. Speaking as one who viewed and didn't answer, it's because I know zilch about ceres, not because I don't like pigeons. I suspect others might be in the same camp.

Have a good day

Mike

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

Apodemus said:
two smilies and a pigeon o just to be on the safe side

OK. Speaking as one who viewed and didn't answer, it's because I know zilch about ceres, not because I don't like pigeons. I suspect others might be in the same camp.

Have a good day

Mike

Well all I know about their ceres is what I typed in the first post. I've been searching on line all morning but can find nothing about the cere changing colour.

The reason I posted here was because there are over 100 birds in my garden, including the Pigeons. I figured that if this was a sign of disease that I should find out ASAP. (hence my haste in bumping the thread)

And you are right, probably not many have an answer.

HouseCrow · Jul 1, 2009

Hey Chris,

you'd rather have had 16 new replies stating only something like...."i don't know, sorry Chris"?

: )

good luck with getting the answer

cheers,
HouseCrow

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

HouseCrow said:
Hey Chris,

you'd rather had 16 new replies stating only something like...."i don't know, sorry Chris"?

: )

good luck with getting the answer

cheers,
HouseCrow

LOL, no, one would have been good.|=)|

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

I think I'll check back later. It's obviously not straightforward, which I should have guessed, as I've had no luck searching on line.

htcdude · Jul 1, 2009

I've tried looking for the last half hour and couldn't really find much. So...

i don't know, sorry Chris

Perhaps it's just a dirty London Pigeon?

dantheman · Jul 1, 2009

Having just looked at this thread for the first time, what I was going to say was;

...."i don't know, sorry Chris"...

But then got slightly curious and googled it, came up with this, which is probably even less useful to you;

http://www.bird-stamps.org/query/ivoryc/green-pigeon.htm

(Sorry!!)

Will have to start looking at pigeon ceres more next time I see a pigeon (Grey ceres... or Grey seals? Exciting??!)

Individual variation or some stray genes from another pigeon sp.??

rockfowl · Jul 1, 2009

Can't say I ever really looked Chris but I guess if this one (looks pure to me) can show a dull cere then I guess your London birds could also - http://www.pbase.com/botb/image/86205177

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

OK, thanks everyone for replying.

My main concern was disease, so I'm relieved that at least it's not an obvious symptom of something. I'll probably catch the Pigeon later (if it's a regular they fly to hand) and wipe the cere with tissue.

I guess it will be quite funny if it's just dirt.|=)|

Motmot · Jul 1, 2009

Possibly age related. check this out:

http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/259_RockDoveClivia.pdf

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

Motmot said:
Possibly age related. check this out:

http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/259_RockDoveClivia.pdf

Although it's not easy to tell from the picture, it's definitely an adult. There's quite a turnover of Pigeons in my garden over the years, so I'm quite good at telling the ages. My first thought (if it's the Pigeon I think it is, he's been in my garden every day for over 3 years) was old age, but then I thought of disease.

As I said, I'll probably catch him later and look more closely.

Thanks for that link, that's a very useful reference for me.|=)|

dantheman · Jul 1, 2009

ChrisKten said:
OK, thanks everyone for replying.

My main concern was disease, so I'm relieved that at least it's not an obvious symptom of something. I'll probably catch the Pigeon later (if it's a regular they fly to hand) and wipe the cere with tissue.

Fair concerns.... ironic if it is only industrial soot build up or similar though.... Trust you can sort it!

(Sorry for not taking this 'cereously' enough earlier on.... (

) )

ChrisKten · Jul 1, 2009

dantheman said:
Fair concerns.... ironic if it is only industrial soot build up or similar though.... Trust you can sort it!

(Sorry for not taking this 'cereously' enough earlier on.... ( ) )

lol, yes, soot is a real possibility.

"cereously", yes it was cereous for a while, now it's all good.|=)|

ChrisKten · Jul 2, 2009

Just an update:

I caught him, and it's not dirt. If I rubbed any harder I would have hurt him. And yes, it is a him; in fact it's the one I thought it was that's been visiting every day for more than 3 years. A few days ago his Cere was white (as it's always been), now it's dark grey.

He seems healthy, the other birds seem healthy, so I'll just keep an eye on him until I forget that his Cere was ever white.

I think this is just one of Nature's little mysteries. Still, it kept me thinking and researching for a day or two.

tohuwabohu · Jul 2, 2009

Hi Chris,
I've seen this thread only now.

Maybe the answer I would give exists already, because I didn't understand all...

How you replied, it could be a mysterie of the Nature.
If the genetics belong to these mysteries I don't know.
But I think, it could be a mutation. But I could err.

Compliment to you, that you cares for the Pigeons!

MichavdB · Jul 2, 2009

As a someone who used to keep pigeons (for racing) I can tell you it happens occasionally when birds are sick. Grey ceres indicate upper respitory (and possibly other) diseases. The eye and back of the neck on this bird seem to confirm that all's far from well.

Pigeon cere - London UK (1 Viewer)

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Attachments

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Well-known member

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Well-known member

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Well-known member

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Well-known member

Bah humbug

Mark Andrews

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Eduardo Amengual

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Bah humbug

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

Member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread