Any pigeon behaviourists out there?

He may be keeping you from his mate...afraid you might steal her away from him...or...he may be protecting newly laid eggs.
I think you should ignor his behavior.

Thanks Charis. His behavior doesn't scare me, so it's not a problem really. I'd just like to understand why he's suddenly started doing that. Peggy, his mate, also feeds out of my hand so it's a bit perplexing. I would hope he would know that I pose no threat to him. He actually follows me around the yard!

Hard to say what s/he may be trying to communicate w/you w/out viewing for
oneself. They dive bomb me in my vehicle and on foot as they know I'm a feeder and sometimes I swear, they just want to get my attention and say
'hi'. 'Course w/a pidge, they are always good for another meal, lol. And as
Charis mentioned, it could be a territorial thing. I, too, would do no more than
take notice for now until I'd observed the behavior long enough to glean some
more clues.

If they are eating out of your hand, it does sound as though they are comfy enough w/you to feel as though they can take the liberties of 'gifting' you w/'pigeon talk', so to speak.

fp

feralpigeon said:

If they are eating out of your hand, it does sound as though they are comfy enough w/you to feel as though they can take the liberties of 'gifting' you w/'pigeon talk', so to speak.

fp

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Well, I just went outside to break up the ice on the sidewalks and, sure enough, Peter followed me around. He walks behind me like a duck! So funny! I don't feel intimidated by his behaviour so maybe he is just *hanging out* with me. Thanks for the response, FP!

Sounds like you are part of the flock! That's a good thing.

Peg 'n Peter said:

I've been feeding Peter, a wild pigeon who lives in my eavestrough, quite a bit lately as it's been really cold and very VERY snowy for weeks on end. Honestly, there's about 3 feet of snow on the ground these days. Anyway, he is now tame enough that he eats out of my hand. The other day I was out shovelling snow, and he flew at me. I have no idea what he was trying to do. Today, he's been the same. He'll fly up in the air right into my face. He has had lots of feed so I know he's not hungry. Is he getting aggressive, or is this some kind of bonding thing? What do you think I should do.....?

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What are you feeding them?

Are they leaving alot or any seed behind after meals?

My pigeons will fly in my face do when they want my attention, usually they want more snack seeds, the good tasting ones.

Trees Gray said:

What are you feeding them?

Are they leaving alot or any seed behind after meals?

My pigeons will fly in my face do when they want my attention, usually they want more snack seeds, the good tasting ones.

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I'm just feeding them wild bird seed, which consists of sunflower seeds,white millet, wheat and red milo. They usually leave a few seeds behind.

Peter is much better behaved today. I have no idea why. It's a bit colder and windier today so he seems in less of a playful mood.

He just want's to hang out with you!
Birds get board sometimes, and when they know that a friend is near, they say hi.
When they fly to your face, they are only trying to land on your head, or glasses, if you wear them.

Maybe he thinks he's a stud ... and is trying to attract another to his nest ????