Wobbling woodpigeons
THE woodpigeon gets a terrible press, generally because it is associated with feral pigeons that inhabit our cities.
I know my mum, Elsie, is not too keen on them landing on her bird table because, compared to other garden birds they are big.
Well, I love to see woodpigeons on my bird table.
At least, I love to see them wobbling on the wall, until they build up the confidence to fly the few feet onto or under the roof of the table.
Sometimes, it can take minutes before they take that leap of faith across the gap.
Once they are there, and tucking into the seed, there is nothing that will shift them.
Their efforts keep the bird table clean and keep them looking lovely and plump.
Starlings pour down in their dozens, noisy blackbirds flap in and out and sparrows just sit by their side, joining in the seed feed fest and looking up at the pigeons with a nod of respect.
The woodpigeon is our largest pigeon, being grey with a pink breast, white neck patch and white patches on its wings, which you spot easily when it is flying.
Actually, for the size of them, woodpigeons do fly with some grace, swooping onto walls and gardens with ease.
It has a distinctive
‘coo’, which some describe as husky – not exactly Tina Turner.
It feeds on seeds, leaf litter, grains, fruit, peas and root crops.
You will see woodpigeons everywhere and they need to be welcomed into your gardens to add some variety.
They are much bigger than feral pigeons, which are also known as town pigeons.
These birds are related to rock doves, that nest on remote rocky outcrops in fewer parts of the country.
While rock dove numbers have fallen their relatives thrive in our towns and cities, eating lots of our waste materials.
Some people describe them as ‘rats with wings’, and they do a similar job to rats, cleaning up our mess, so we are not knee-deep in it.
Feral pigeons are descended from those rock doves, that have bred with racing pigeons and domestic pigeons, so they can be many colours, black, brown, white and piebald.
They nest on ledges and under buildings and can be heard as you wander under canal bridges in the city centre.
On cue, I have been shaken back to woodpigeons as one lands on our wall in the garden.
In the coming months, there will be more of these birds around as many thousands fly in from the colder areas of the Continent for the balmy British winter.
They will add to the characters that visit my bird table every day and that fills me with joy.