I'd like to add another thought about possible reasons for the lower numbers
of Band-tailed Pigeons than decades ago. If Band-taileds normally nest near
the tops of conifers and people have cut most of the taller conifers (that
get to be over 200' when not cut) the tops of the remaining conifers would
be much lower than before. The Band-taileds would then be much more
accessible to terrestrial based predators like raccoons. When I suggested
that humans feeding and housing raccoons, mostly unintentionally, may be a
factor in the lower numbers of Band-tailed Pigeons, one defender of raccoons
was upset. I wouldn't blame the raccoons, but I'd blame the people and
companies that cut the taller conifers, and those of us that bought the
paper and wood products that paid for the cutting.

I notice that in Seattle that the parks with the tallest remaining trees,
such as Lincoln and Seward Parks, are among the places the Band-taileds are
doing the best.

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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