Subject: Re: Band-tailed Pigeons
Date: Aug 25 11:50:06 1998
From: Angelambry at aol.com - Angelambry at aol.com


Tweets,
In a message dated 98-08-24 12:11:56 EDT, mwaller at wolfenet.com writes:

<< We moved into our house in Normandy Park three years ago. The first year
we counted 9 birds, a year later the tally was 13 and this summer we've had
as many as 20 in the woods behind our house. >>

We have had a solitary Band-tailed pigeon for years, then two, three and now
four and live part of the time in the View Ridge area of Seattle, near Sand
Point Country Club and are on the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
FeederWatch program as they are on the Watch list because of "drop in
numbers." Glad to see they are increasing in number. Heard that they used to
come into this area by the thousands and were hunted. Still hunt them in
Arizona I hear.

and Maureen Ellis writes, <<Amusingly, when this species discovers and favors
a particular yard feeder, such a pig-out sight as they present is astonishing.
No group of sharks could display a more determined feeding frenzy than these
pigeons.>>
and Ruth Sullivan writes, <<We have sometime 25 to 30 Band-tailed Pigeons
feeding in my Yard. Its almost comical to see this big Birds hanging on some
of my Tubfeeder, some will go on the ground and pick up some seeds what been
dropped. >>
The solitary pigeon in our area arrives in February - March and waits around
in Madronas (eats blossoms?) and firs until April-May for mate. As soon as
the mate comes they descend and plant their yellow feet simultaneously onto
our Droll (tube) feeder with a base! It is amazing, like a ballet - as they
both stretch their necks with the white crescent around to the holes opposite
each other. I experience them as gentle and gracious. Maybe if I had a
platform feeder they would act differently. I have not seen the four at the
feeder this year because we have had to take away our feeder due to a plague
of RATS in the neighborhood! I hear the "cu-coo" around and sneak out the
feeder but sweep up seed immediately when I take the feeder in, but the feeder
is not out consistently. So much for the feeder watch. Has anyone else
experienced a Band-tailed pigeon waiting for mate before feeding at feeders?
How about RATS!? In the 26 years we have lived here we have never had a
problem and I have had feeders out most of these years. Hunting Rats instead
of B-T's.

Angela M. Bryant
Seattle, WA
Angelambry at aol.com

"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." (Paul)
Phillipians 4:13