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Pigeons are our most common urban bird. |
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They are amazingly resourceful creatures, able to survive in the
midst of predatory humanity. |
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Even so, up to 35% of a local population may perish annually from
natural causes and predators. |
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Pigeons flock together in large numbers to protect themselves against,
cats, rats and foxes. |
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Even when times are tough and the weather is freezing and stormy, they
co-operate with each other and readily accept outsiders into their
flock. |
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They have easy temperaments and are adaptable and hardy, which
no doubt accounts for their ability to maintain numbers. |
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The most widespread misconception about urban pigeons is that they
are carriers of disease. |
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The truth is that the vast majority of people are at little or no health
risk and probably have a greater chance of being struck by lightning
than contracting disease from a pigeon. |
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Pigeons pair for life. |
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Both parents take an equal role in caring for their young. |
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The chicks are helpless when first hatched and are fed for the first few
days on 'pigeon milk' regurgitated from both parents' throats. |
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The phenomenal navigational abilities of pigeons largely depend on their
keen vision and memory for landmarks. Over the centuries these qualities
have become legendary. |
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For further reading see Close up on Pigeons
and The Case for the Humane Control of Pigeons. |
