Nesting in a plant pot

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Folks,

New pictures of Gladys' feral pair and balcony hot off the press! Seems like the sparrows are making themselves to home quite nicely with all that feed around. The pigeons are indifferent just as Gladys had mentioned.

Can't really confirm health with these pictures Gladys but the pigeons should be well since they are well fed and looked after by you

[Reti]

Those birds have the best accommodations they could possibly have.
Great pics, great view, and great looking pijies.
Thanks for sharing the pics.

Reti

[Lin Hansen]

Yes, Gladys, what a gorgeous view you have....this makes you even more generous---giving up being able to fully use your balcony for yourself---just to accomodate these parents and babies. Thanks to you and Brad for the latest pictures.

Linda

[Pisciottano]

High everybody,

Last night for the first time Bully and Tiny, who are now 20 days old, did not sleep in their nest but on the balcony floor close to the nest but out of it. I gather that they have grown too big to be comfortable. This is also the first time they walked out of the nest. Should I provide them with some material to rest on?

I must say this complicates my cleaning routine. Until now I would lift the nest with the youngsters in it, place it away from their corner, escrape and wash the floor all around the nest and then put the nest back. Except for the first time, when they became a little aggressive, they seemed to enjoy all this maneuver making little sounds similar to those they make when the parents come to feed them. I was forgettting to say that I always finished by giving them some seeds which I let slide from my hand into their nest, as a reward for being good children. I only give them a few seeds as I don't want to interfere with their parents' feeding routine, it is just a way of letting them know that grandma can also provide what they need. I'm getting a kick out of this since the parents are not at all friendly.

It is now 7:30 am here and the little ones do not give any signs of wanting to get back into their nest. Their father who has just fed them and is busy with his own breakfast doesn't seem at all put out. If they start walking around the balcony I'm going to be scared stiff that they will fall off. DO THEY EVER??

I'll keep an eye on developments. A bientôt. Gladys

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by Pisciottano

High everybody,

I gather that they have grown too big to be comfortable. This is also the first time they walked out of the nest. Should I provide them with some material to rest on?

Originally Posted by Pisciottano

If they start walking around the balcony I'm going to be scared stiff that they will fall off. DO THEY EVER??

Hi Gladys,

The babies are growing up quickly and yes, leaving the nest is normal. They are too big for it now and likely want to test their legs and wings. You don't have to provide anything for them to rest on, they will be fine without. If you want to though, you can and they might take advantage of that.

I don't think you have anything to worry about with them falling off the balcony. If you want to place something in front of the edge like a board or something along the bottom, this would help ease your fears They shouldn't venture too close or fall, but it's certainly not unthinkable.

Thanks for the update and we're awaiting more pictures and the video when you can

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Folks,

Two more pictures of the goings-on on her balcony, courtesy of Gladys

Sparrows feeding while dad feeds babies:


Dad feeding his babies:

[Feather]

Gladys,

You have the most beautiful view. It looks like you live in a story book. Do those little birds trim your pies like they did in Snow White?

Thank you for bringing us into your world.

Feather

[Pisciottano]

Feather,

I'm not sure about the little birds on the photo "trimming my pies" but I can assure you that they are great at creating a real pandemonium on my balcony........scattering the seeds all over the place, tipping over the water bowl, etc.etc. I have given up chasing them away so that now they are part of the "true" story I'm writing for my great grandchildren, illustrated by the photos covering the whole period from the laying of the first egg to, hopefully, the moment they will fly away. I'm referring to the pigeons, of course. As for the sparrows, well, they will have to have their role in the story, won't they?

Feather, thanks so much for writing and for your kind words.I am so glad that you enjoy my pictures. Makes me feel closer to your bunch, most of you people being relatively near to one another in the States and me so far away here in France. Gladys

[Pisciottano]

Hello Brad,
I'm afraid there has been some confusion with photos I recently sent to you, so that in resending a message which had gone astray I probably repeated one or two photos. Hope you will forgive my clumsiness.

As for my young pigeons leaving their nest, it seems thay are not sure what they want to do. This morning when I went up to them to clean their corner they got back into the nest and allowed me to lift them away inside the nest without any fuss.One could believe they WANTED to be lifted out that way!!! Don't worry, Brad, you don't have to answer this one. They did get out of the nest when I placed it on the floor but as soon as I finished cleaning they walked back to their corner. For the moment they don't venture far from it and now and then they go back inside the nest. They don't even leave their corner when the parents arrive to feed them, they wait quietly for the parent in question to go up to them. The little one I had last summer, at their age would run up TO and AFTER the visiting parent making very loud squeaky noises. For the moment, at least, I don't have to worry about them going near the edge of the balcony.

Thanks again for posting my photos and for "listening"

[Lin Hansen]

Originally Posted by Pisciottano

I'm not sure about the little birds on the photo "trimming my pies" but I can assure you that they are great at creating a real pandemonium on my balcony........scattering the seeds all over the place, tipping over the water bowl, etc.etc. I have given up chasing them away so that now they are part of the "true" story I'm writing for my great grandchildren, illustrated by the photos covering the whole period from the laying of the first egg to, hopefully, the moment they will fly away. I'm referring to the pigeons, of course. As for the sparrows, well, they will have to have their role in the story, won't they?

Gladys, the story you are writing for your great grandchildren is going to be wonderful....so much more meaningful and priceless, than any book they could buy in a store. Good luck with it. And thanks for your pictures and updates....I'm enjoying them and your posts very much.

Linda

[Pisciottano]

Linda,
It's good to hear that you enjoy my posts, I always think I must be driving you all nuts with some of my questions. I must say I'm enjoying myself with everything happening on my balcony. My squabs are so much fun. They have left their nest three days ago but when I come to them in the morning to clean the corner where they spend most of the time, would you believe that these little rascals get back into the nest for me to lift them out of the corner as I used to do before they left their nest?? The first time I thought it was just a coincidence, bur today is the third time they have done this. I almost feel that they like me cleaning their "living quarters" and that they enjoy this kind of ^piggy backing" Well, that's enough nonsense for one day. Thanks for "listening". Gladys

[mr squeaks]

I, too have enjoyed your pictures and updates, Gladys!

Pigeons are smart birds, even young ones, as you can see! Actually, I think they are getting spoiled...enjoying a "trip" while their "quarters" are being cleaned. They don't have to do ANY cleanup! Bet the kids LOVE that! LOL

Soon enough, they will be spreading their wings to fly away. Of course, who knows they may be baaaaack to start their OWN families!

[Feather]

Gladys,

My Greatgrandparents came from France. My G.G.M. was engaged to my G.G.F. at the time, and she came over with his family.

She said he told her there was a beautiful city here that they would live in.
When she arrived she said the walks were made of boards, and it was a vast ocean of dust. Being from Paris, she kept waiting for the family to move to the beautiful city that she was told about. One day she asked him when they were going there. She said that he told her that she had been living in it for almost 6 months. Bless her heart, she lived to be 103, and out of that dust she grew the most beautiful flower and vegitable gardens.

Her local paper did a special article on her every year after she reached 100 years old, and every year they mentioned how bright she was, her wonderful since of humer, and how she hardly had any wrinkles.

So you see, it is a small world, and we're almost family. Like I tell Victor, we are all Pigeon-In-Laws.

Feather

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Gladys and all...More new pictures of the "balcony pigeons They are looking very good, Gladys...such cuties

Babies at 3 weeks old:


Getting out of the nest for the first time:

[Pigeonpal2002]

and a few more...

eating by themselves:


An intruder hoping to be invited:


Mom, chasing the intruder: