[Limow]

New here and wasn't sure where to post my message so apologies for posting this twice!

Hi, a couple of months ago a pair of white speckled pigeons appeared at my house - one of whom has a ring. They spent quite a bit of time on my roof and appeared to be building a nest in an old cast iron overflow box on the gutter on the front of the house (this is now obsolete and dry). They then disappeared and I saw them only rarely. A week ago they were back on the porch roof and I noticed some flapping coming from the gutter box, I got a ladder and there inside was their baby! I was gobsmacked to say the least. Yesterday the 'baby' flew for the first time to join his parents in the tree nearby within my garden - it was amazing to watch. By the evening they were all gone. This afternoon the baby had returned - he started in the tree opposite then flew to the roof. It's clear he's trying to navigate his way back into the gutter box but I would think it's quite skilled to do that and he's not good enough at flying yet. I watched as he kept landing on the roof and sliding down the tiles. He's now found himself a sheltered spot right in the corner under a bit of pitched roof, presumably roosting for the night.
So........ I'm more than happy to have pigeon/s living here but what should I do? Will he always want to live here? Will he likely find his way into the gutter box? Will his parents come back? There is pigeon mix and water nearby. I wouldn't mind erecting a dove cote for him if he were going to stay. Anyway all comments and advice very much welcomed.

 

[horseart4u]

yes, they will come back and i am surprised they haven't had a second clutch of eggs already in the gutter box, when babies have hatched they usually lay another set about 18 to 20 days later. the hen then sits on them and the cock continues to feed the first ones..the little guy will find his way back up to the gutter box and maybe some day bring a mate home it's self..i am sure more people will chime in soon.. good luck with your new neighbors, see if you can get some pic's people on here LOVE to see pics

 

[Limow]

Hi Thanks for your reply - I have photos but need to work out how to put them on here!!

 

[Victor]

The baby pigeon has homing ability, much like a GPS system. He recognizes the "home" where he was hatched from and grew up in, so he must feel comfortable being here. It is great to see a pigeon friendly person such as yourself wanting to help him and co-exist with him as well.

 

[horseart4u]

you can make an album or post to the thread..

 

[Victor]

From FAQ

How do I attach a file to a post?

To attach a file to your post, you need to be using the main 'New Post' or 'New Thread' page and not 'Quick Reply'. To use the main 'New Post' page, click the 'Post Reply' button in the relevant thread.

On this page, below the message box, you will find a button labelled 'Manage Attachments'. Clicking this button will open a new window for uploading attachments. You can upload an attachment either from your computer or from another URL by using the appropriate box on this page. Alternatively you can click the Attachment Icon to open this page.

To upload a file from your computer, click the 'Browse' button and locate the file. To upload a file from another URL, enter the full URL for the file in the second box on this page. Once you have completed one of the boxes, click 'Upload'.

Once the upload is completed the file name will appear below the input boxes in this window. You can then close the window to return to the new post screen.

What files types can I use? How large can attachments be?

In the attachment window you will find a list of the allowed file types and their maximum sizes. Files that are larger than these sizes will be rejected. There may also be an overall quota limit to the number of attachments you can post to the board.

NOTE: For pics, they need to be no more than 100 KB file size and preferably in .jpg format - pics from cameras usually need to be resized (compressed). If you don't have a photo editor program to use, I'm sure someone knows of a pic compresser that can be used straight off the web

 

[Victor]

He/she will be more than happy to live there as long as it feels safe and no annoyances around. Of course water and food source always helps.

 

[Limow]

Fingers crossed this works! If it doesn't, I did upload them to an album here.

 

[Victor]

Good job on the picture! Nice looking pigeon. If the downpour is defunct, it will probably be a suitable home for the pigeons. I have seen much worse! You mentined that one had a "ring". It was probably once a racing pigeon or maybe belonged to some one at one time. It probably got lost and found a new home.

 

[Limow]

Ok, well the pictures worked, sorry they're so small, ha!

So, these are the lovely pigeons - I know absolutely nothing about pigeons, so am keen to learn more!

I'm in the UK if that makes any difference to the type of pigeons they might be?

I'd really like advice on anything I should/could be doing for the youngster? Will he live in the gutter? I have food and water on bird tables in my front garden but I am a bit concerned about my cat, although she wears bells and a collar that bleeps if she moves suddenly in the hope that any birds are spared.

We have a lot of wood pigeons, magpies and squirrels here, don't know if they are a threat?

Otherwise, we have lots of space and trees and masses of roof, so it that's what a pigeon needs to be happy - then there's plenty of it.

I'm really curious about the parents too - so strange that they suddenly appeared. Should I check inside the gutter to see if they did lay another egg?

Sorry to bombard you with questions! Thanks for the warm responses

Liz

 

[Limow]

Yes the white and brown speckled one has a ring on its left leg. Can you tell by looking which is the female and which is the male? Why would they not build a nest where they live now? Also, don't they stay together to form a flock now? Or would they just leave junior to get on with it? Told you I was new to pigeons!

 

[Victor]

The only birds I would be concerned about would be hawks and other predatory birds. They are good at sensing when one is lurking. Squirrels are no threat at all I can assure you as we have a pet squirrel too and may wild ones outdoors as well. When I use to allow my once only single pigeon out to free fly, he would eat with the yard squirrels. As far as the parents, they are good when taking care of the babies, BUT once they are able to fly...well, they are on their own. This is a good example of the specie doing what they are suppose to do. They are lucky to have you. As far as your cat, well, you have taken preventative measures with the bell- collar. There is noting more you can do, aside from actually taking them in and building a pigeon structure of some sorts!

 

[Victor]

Yes the white and brown speckled one has a ring on its left leg. Can you tell by looking which is the female and which is the male? Why would they not build a nest where they live now? Also, don't they stay together to form a flock now? Or would they just leave junior to get on with it? Told you I was new to pigeons!

In my opinion, I would say the one on the left is the male, the one to the right is the female . I am seeing the curvature of their heads and the second one on the right, has a "sharp" pointed beak, generally prominant in females. If these were your typical rock pigeons or blue bar variety, you can generally tell from their irredescent coloration under and around their head area. It would be deeper and brighter in color. The males are "prettier".