To Love Pigeons

[itsnotmeitsu]

theconversation.com/in-defence-of-pigeons-187216?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB > Putting a link on here but I don't think it works. The article came up on on Firefox. I love to see the pigeons in my garden, and can work out the pairs. I love to see the fat fools rambling about. I don't leave out food for them, but they peck at my apple trees. I also love to hear them calling to each other from far away. There'll be a pigeon sound and, a few seconds later, one back, saying 'I'm here'.

We have a heirarchy of what creatures are acceptable to humans. It infuriates me when I see adults encouraging their children to go for pigeons by kicking at them etc, rather than teaching them to respect all forms of life.

mia2trappy

I sure hope you haven't been saying unkind things about pigeons!

I adore pigeons. We get so many different types of birds round this way. Each has their charm, if it's elegance, or the collective nature of those that live in groups, or colouring or the intelligence... but pigeons are just sweet. They arrive in the garden don't mess any other birds about, just waddle and coo. I love them.

One of the most upsetting things I’ve seen was when a sparrowhawk killed a pigeon in my garden and the poor pigeon’s mate was standing about six feet away very obviously traumatised, its feathers puffed up in shock while the sparrowhawk tucked into its partner. I defy anyone to witness that and say that animals don’t have feelings.

Having said that, they are a pain in the arse and shit over everything in my garden. Though they do hoover up under the bird feeders which reduces food opportunities for rats.

I hate them.
Flying rats that make a racket and wake everyone up early in the morning and drop shit everywhere.

It is unusual to see a pigeon consistently all on its own, as it being away from a flock makes them especially vulnerable to predation. If it’s a feral pigeon (not a wood pigeon) it may be a lost domestic bird. Is there anything unusual about its colour or size? Does it have any rings on its legs?

I love pigeons, and help out with the injured and ill pigeons around my area. I’ve got two flightless birds that live with me full time as well. I love their resilience and huge personalities.

Of course you aren't unreasonable but I wholeheartedly disagree - pigeons are sex crazed, unruly, exhibitionist shitters. Noise wise, magpies are worse (one woke me up today) but I know far more than I want to about pigeon mating habits and what they eat at different times if the year. We are coming into elderberry season which I am not looking forward to.

Sadly I have seen this, on more than one occasion. Once from a family visiting the zoo !

Sometimes we learn from our kids. I was fairly indifferent to pigeons but my DD 14 loves all birds, especially marginalised or disliked birds. She adores pigeons, talks to them, observes them. She's made me like pigeons too.

I see it all the time. Ya awful to watch.

@uhtredbebbanburg > Love to your daughter, she sounds great 🙂You can definitely learn from pigeons.

That's great. When can you come and collect every single one of the obese,waddling, shitting fuckers infesting my garden?
Completely free to a good home.
No returns 😁

My ex would encourage our DD to chase pigeons away because they are "dirty scavengers", I've so heard people saying they carry diseases and are like rats etc.

I've fed them out of my hand before. He's an ex for a reason, of course.

I like them . The way they walk makes me lol.

I also love crows . They're like the arnie of the bird world- hard as fu k ! They make me laugh how they just stand and face down cars till later minute.... I love how they walk .

Also saw a video on you tube of a crow feeding a mouse . So clever . Showed emotion. Empathy.

That's clever . And empathy.

I love them too. Spoke to man who tried to kick one in London once. He said, they spread disease, I replied, so do we. They're super smart too. Have admiration for any animal that's adapted to live around our cities.

Love crows, magpies, rats etc.
I think I read that pigeons have manky feet because their faeces are very caustic.
Doves are just pigeons with white privilege.

we have wood pigeons that live in our garden as I’ve mentioned and I’ve never ever had a problem or even noticed their pooping habits?! Maybe we’re just lucky and they choose to do their business elsewhere? 😁 (probably jinxed it and will get crapped on tomorrow!)

Well. I have always hated pigeons. I have no idea why, but now I think you have converted me! I was thinking about why I hate them, and can’t really come up with anything! Maybe it was an influence from something as a kid. I’m going to go looking out for pigeons tomorrow 😁
.

Good for you @Tromboleese 🙂. I do understand why people who live in areas that see a problem with eg seagulls, pigeons, dislike them. I live in a city and personally I see next to no bird poo in my garden. But the thing is, pigeons just aren't aggressive > they bumble around doing their own thing, generally not attacking anything else; and they're so useless at fending for themselves that they hang around under feeding trays hoping bits of food will fall off. The only way they fight other birds is flapping their wings at them. Yeah, that always works (unless you're not a pigeon of course).

Love watching the birds that visit my garden. I make sure the bird bath is topped up regularly. Enjoyed watching some rainbow lorikeets splashing around yesterday.
Here is a pic of a pigeon I saw at a bus stop near my place (Sydney).

I never used to really think about them. But DD's first word a few weeks ago was 'bird' while pointing at a pigeon. So now I love seeing them as she always points them out 🥰

I have one of her rings. I adore her work.

I love pigeons too. I love the cooing sound they make. It's very relaxing

@Doghairismyglitter
I know , bless their brave little hearts 🐦❤️❤️

good little video here about them

don’t know if you watched ‘The Wire’ but ruthless Marlo absolutely loved his pigeons he had them in a coop on the roof of the apartment building, it was an unusual slant for his character (just another reason why The Wire is so good though)