Wood Pigeon family ...

[jezlee]

Hello all - can you bird experts help here?

My wife and her colleagues at work are on the third floor of their building, overlooking a number of trees, and have recently noticed a pair of Wood Pigeons nesting in one of the trees – not only nesting, but they actually have some newly-hatched chicks in the nest.

Isn't this late in the year to be having chicks? My wife and her colleagues are getting quite concerned, with the weather so wet and windy at times, and with falling temperatures at night, that the chicks won't survive. Or is this quite normal behaviour for them to try to raise a family at this time of year?

[lol geoff]

I think that they breed quite happily all year round if there is enough available food, feral pigeons certanly do.

[aeshna5]

It's not unusual for pigeons + doves to nest early or late + as they produce "milk" from their crop, they are not dependent on finding insect food for the young. I think the young should be ok.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I'm just repeating what has been said, buit yes Pigeons/Doves can nest quite late and early compaired to other birds

[Tragus]

Yep the little devils nest ALL year round.
As the weather gets wet and windier, thats when they start to come into the rescue centres.
Usually the scrappy nests get blown out of the trees, or the juveniles just become weaker as the lack of food during winter months dries up, usually around the time they fledge.
Parents will feed for a while, then they get the 'urge' again, and up starts another brood.

Pigeons and doves seem to be having a tough time at the moment with Trichomoniasis. We have had several cases in through the doors this week alone. Some adults and some squabs too.

Jo

[mrs fish]

There is an abundance of food around for woodpigeons at this time of year, alot of seeds are dropping and of course one of their favourites elderberries, if you see a woodpigeon dropping it is purple so it is a good time of year for them to raise their young.