confused pigeon? (1 Viewer)

alanc

Just an earthbound misfit

• Aug 31, 2020

• #1

For the past few days a Wood Pigeon has been visiting our garden and collecting sticks presumably for nest building. It gathers three of four nesting type sticks on each visit and then flies off to nearby trees. This is of course normal behaviour in spring but very late August? Has anyone else noticed similar or is my bird bonkers?

cheers alan

 

Mono

Hi!

Staff member

Supporter

• Aug 31, 2020

• #2

Wood pigeons, and indeed all pigeons, will nest all year round. They can grind up seed to make "crop milk" to feed the young so are not dependent on the availability of soft, squishy caterpillars.

 

alanc

Just an earthbound misfit

• Aug 31, 2020

• #3

Thanks Mono

I didn't realise their breeding season was so long. I have just looked at the BTO site and they say the breeding season is usually April to October but they have been known to breed in every month of the year
Amazing.

cheers alan

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Aug 31, 2020

• #4

I've seen incubating Woodpigeons in December and newly fledged young in January :t:

 

alanc

Just an earthbound misfit

• Sep 1, 2020

• #5

presumably the late breeding is timed to coincide with the abundance of seeds - although January seems a little dodgy - especially in the northern parts of the UK

alan

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Sep 1, 2020

• #6

There's always plenty of food around for Woodpigeons in winter! In cities, there's bird tables, and ivy berries, tree seeds, etc., in parks, and in the countryside, autumn-sown oilseed crops are a favoured food.


One year a few years ago my 1 January yeartick Woodpigeon was a newly-fledged youngster in the pre-dawn gloom, had to pick it up off the path and perch it up in a shrub for its own safety :t:

 

alanc

Just an earthbound misfit

• Sep 2, 2020

• #7

I think in future I shall adopt a more respectful approach to these birds. No wonder they are so plentiful given the
the rather clever adaptations they are evidently able to make

bw alan