Worm-eating woodpigeon (1 Viewer)

[Torchepot]

Reviewing the night's footage on my trail camera the other morning I was surprised to see this woodpigeon - not only active before it's properly light but eating earthworms too!

This clip shows the biggest one - it's a whopper.

https://vimeo.com/170355659

 

[_pauls]

I just came across this post searching for information on wood pigeons eating worms. On Thurs last week I saw something I'd never seen before - a group of 6 or 7 wood pigeon seemingly emulating the "rain dance" that gulls often employ to lure worms to the surface. I didn't actually see any of them with a worm but its the only thing I can think they were doing.

 

[Torchepot]

Hi Pauls

I did a bit of research at the time and as far as I remember it (eating worms) happens when adults are feeding chicks that have reached a certain stage of development (presumably needing protein or something else that the worms provide).

Our pigeons didn't need to "dance" as there were heavy rains prior to the video and worms were very near the surface. I didn't come across any mention of the behaviour you witnessed - interesting.