Pigeons

[plocket]

From a Beeb article: The Mayor of London's legal battle over his ban on feeding pigeon in Trafalgar Square is the latest salvo in a perennial bitter feud against the critters. But why do we hate them so much?

When it comes to hating pigeons, the focus of most people's dislike is the feral pigeon. It is a domesticated rock dove that has returned to wild or semi-wild conditions. It is usually grey and can be seen in most villages, towns and cities across the UK - and Europe. Even some pigeon fanciers dislike them, because they supposedly give their "superior" breeds a bad reputation.

Many people firmly believe street pigeons spread disease. But this belief is attacked by pigeon lovers, who say the threat has been exaggerated and there are no documented cases of a disease being transmitted from a pigeon to a human.

They are known to be susceptible to some diseases like tuberculosis, although no more so than any other bird species or wild animals. But the fact there are so many of them means people have good reason to raise the point, argue critics. There are millions.

We share the UK with an estimated 18 million feral pigeons and they can breed up to up to six times a year. They are one of the few birds recognised by the government as a nuisance pest and can be controlled using humane methods and with a licence.

The sheer scale of numbers has resulted in two other commonly cited criticisms - they damage property and drive out other bird species.

[Sleepy]

plocket said:

From a Beeb article: The Mayor of London's legal battle over his ban on feeding pigeon in Trafalgar Square is the latest salvo in a perennial bitter feud against the critters. But why do we hate them so much?

When it comes to hating pigeons, the focus of most people's dislike is the feral pigeon. It is a domesticated rock dove that has returned to wild or semi-wild conditions. It is usually grey and can be seen in most villages, towns and cities across the UK - and Europe. Even some pigeon fanciers dislike them, because they supposedly give their "superior" breeds a bad reputation.

Many people firmly believe street pigeons spread disease. But this belief is attacked by pigeon lovers, who say the threat has been exaggerated and there are no documented cases of a disease being transmitted from a pigeon to a human.

They are known to be susceptible to some diseases like tuberculosis, although no more so than any other bird species or wild animals. But the fact there are so many of them means people have good reason to raise the point, argue critics. There are millions.

We share the UK with an estimated 18 million feral pigeons and they can breed up to up to six times a year. They are one of the few birds recognised by the government as a nuisance pest and can be controlled using humane methods and with a licence.

The sheer scale of numbers has resulted in two other commonly cited criticisms - they damage property and drive out other bird species.

Yeah! I think that feral pigeons get a rough deal too.

We bill and coo at cute robins, and nuthatches, and green finches... etc, etc.

But a feral pigeon is shown no love. It has the same feelings, and has to get by in it's life just the same as any other bird, but without the cute looks. Most feral pigeons look better fed than they really are and are close to starvation.

We should be on this earth to share, and not exterminate a species because of blind ignorant prejudice.

Sure, feral pigeon numbers should be controlled, but Red Ken's attitude takes me back to a 1940's more easter European mentality.

[4pygmies]

Everyone hates a successful species eventually.........I believe pigeon poo is an untapped source of urban composting!

[mickthecactus]

There's enough of it on my greenhouse and on the fences - you can have it all.

Actually, when I was at the allotment Saturday a pigeon with both legs ringed was wandering around and when it saw I was watering came right up to me. I dribbled some water out and it drank as best it could. Eventually, on another plot I found a pot saucer, filled it up with water and it drank some more and then wandered off again. Didn't fly at all.

[The witch]

I don't like wood pigeons - but pet/racing pigeons are a different matter.

[sweetleaf]

I once made a boyfriend of mine free the foot of a pigeon from a ball of clay, it turned out to be poo,and it stunk "alarming" and I left said boyfriend where he was, and went home.

The pigeon went on its way! I dont love pigeons but I dont hate them either so I voted love.

[chickadeedeedee]

I like pigeons! We had one named Franzie for almost 15 years. He was a wild pigeon and had been hit by a car on Palm Sunday. I stopped the car on a bridge and like the fool I am was chasing this pigeon on the bridge who had two broken wings. He was x-rayed, had two surgeries to help the fracture mending but the joints that would be the wrist and elbows were involved and he had arthritic changes. So he lived at our home. He liked to watch TV, especially the Winter Olympic skiing broadcasts!

Franzie died of old age three years ago.

[maggyd]

I like them ! and Trafalgar square is famous for its pigeons, its about time these people got on with what is important and stopped messing with nature.

[madonplants]

I like pidgeons, even helped one a few weeks ago. I was driving to a G/C, when I saw a pidgeon quiet on the side of the road. I turned around and drove back to find it had ventured into to middle of this narrow fast single lane carriageway, how it was not hit by a lorry I don't know. I turned around again, stopped, checked it over and made sure it was OK, no broken wings etc. and then saw it eventually fly into a nearby tree. I think it had been in shock, probably a near miss with a vehicle. I know that some hate them but they are our wildlife and should be loved for what they are. OK, so they muscle out 'my' collared doves to be first to the food, but the doves get some in the end, just have to wait longer for it. If we didn't have 'any' pidgeons what would the various BoP feed on? There would be uproar if Peregrines wiped out our collared doves, wouldn't there?
I'm rambling again, sorry!

Keith

[sweetleaf]

In the fifties the chinese committed a crime against nature by murdering all the sparrows in one day.
They were paid back by a plague of Locusts which were part of the staple diet of the sparrows !

Their stupidity caused a famine. The balance of nature is delicate, like Keith says the Peregrines need to eat, and who knows what pests will be unleashed in a London without Pigeons?

[Sleepy]

sweetleaf said:

In the fifties the chinese committed a crime against nature by murdering all the sparrows in one day.
They were paid back by a plague of Locusts which were part of the staple diet of the sparrows !

I thought it was a murder of crows?

[The witch]

admin said:

sweetleaf said:

In the fifties the chinese committed a crime against nature by murdering all the sparrows in one day.
They were paid back by a plague of Locusts which were part of the staple diet of the sparrows !

I thought it was a murder of crows?

homepages.shu.ac.uk/~acsdry/quizes/birds.htm

[plocket]

I'm afraid I don't like pigeons. On too many occasions I've walked through Trafalgar Square only to be pecked, shat on, landed on by pigeons and they are horrible!!! I wouldn't ever harm them, and I don't think they should be eridicated, but personally I think there are too many, and people feeding them in London is only making the matter worse. Around here, where we live now, they aren't such a problem, but in London they are a PEST!!!

[Sleepy]

plocket said:

I'm afraid I don't like pigeons. On too many occasions I've walked through Trafalgar Square only to be pecked, shat on, landed on by pigeons and they are horrible!!! I wouldn't ever harm them, and I don't think they should be eridicated, but personally I think there are too many, and people feeding them in London is only making the matter worse. Around here, where we live now, they aren't such a problem, but in London they are a PEST!!!

Well, at least they like you ;D

That's half way there.

[plocket]

PML! That's a positive way of looking at it!!! ;D

[Sleepy]

plocket said:

PML! That's a positive way of looking at it!!! ;D

That was a quick nap P. Couldn't you sleep?

[debbiem]

I had a similar experience about being dive bombed with pigeon poo when on holiday with my parents in St Mark's Square in Venice, when I was twelve. I still remember it as it was almost impossible to avoid being pooed on. But I don't wish the pigeon population any harm at all - it's a wood pigeon that makes that 'boo-boo, bah' cooing noise isn't it? I LOVE that sound!

[Sleepy]

debbiem said:

I had a similar experience about being dive bombed with pigeon poo when on holiday with my parents in St Mark's Square in Venice, when I was twelve. I still remember it as it was almost impossible to avoid being pooed on. But I don't wish the pigeon population any harm at all - it's a wood pigeon that makes that 'boo-boo, bah' cooing noise isn't it? I LOVE that sound!

Wood pigeons say:

Take two cows Taffy, take two cows Taffy, take two cows Taffy, take.

[sweetleaf]

I always wondered what that was, thanks Sleepy

[The witch]

........... collared doves say "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know"

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/collareddove/index.asp

Wood Pigeon -

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/woodpigeon/index.asp

[Sleepy]

The said:

........... collared doves say "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know"

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/collareddove/index.asp

Wood Pigeon -

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/woodpigeon/index.asp

The wood pigeon call on that site is wrong The witch. It left off the last part of the call.

[plocket]

admin said:

plocket said:

PML! That's a positive way of looking at it!!! ;D

That was a quick nap P. Couldn't you sleep?

Nah! I had BAD nightmares - now I wonder what could have caused them??? :

[The witch]

admin said:

The said:

........... collared doves say "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know"

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/collareddove/index.asp

Wood Pigeon -

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/woodpigeon/index.asp

The wood pigeon call on that site is wrong The witch. It left off the last part of the call.

Perhaps they aren't Welsh Sleepy.

[Sleepy]

The said:

admin said:

The wood pigeon call on that site is wrong The witch. It left off the last part of the call.

Perhaps they aren't Welsh Sleepy.

Sometimes I have a strong suspicion that you don't always take me seriously The witch!

[The witch]

admin said:

The said:

Perhaps they aren't Welsh Sleepy.

Sometimes I have a strong suspicion that you don't always take me seriously The witch!

Only sometimes? - that's OK then