I had long been wondering what the factors were for the decline of
Band-tailed Pigeon populations over recent decades. I've been particularly
interested in their ideal nesting requirements, as I expect this would be a
more important question than food for example supply. I visited a friend
the other day who had Band-taileds that had nested behind their house. I
asked her to show me where and it was high in a Western Red Cedar (Thuja
plicata). I looked for the droppings to indicate where the birds had been
nesting or perching above and instead found Racoon droppings (with cherry
pits in them). According to my friend the racoon had apparently taken apart
an Eastern Gray Squirrel nest and likely eaten the young. She showed me the
torn up squirrel nest. I expect the racoon was also likely to have eaten
any Band-tailed eggs or chicks it would have found in the Red Cedar. (I
also expect the introduced and Eastern Gray Squirrel that we also feed is
also likely to have eaten any eggs or young chicks it might have found).
I've seen Racoons using conifers, including red cedars as day-time resting
areas.

I now theorize that the increase in racoons that humans have induced by
providing them food and shelter as well as the introduction and feeding of
Eastern Gray Squirrels may be factors in nest failure for Band-taileds.
I'll be interested in more thoughts.

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
of plants and animals
-Educational programs, nature walks and field trips
-Botanical Surveys


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