I love "feral" pidgeons...

[connerlake]

So kill me, there i said it.

[stigofthedump]

Hey each to their own, they hold no real charm for me though.

Vince

[Doggle Avaddit]

I tend to get a little squeamish at their large numbers of manky or missing feet.

[SusieBee]

Aw I love them too and even more with manky or missing feet

[tombom]

They're not my favourite birds, but they're better than none at all.

[Jason Claxton]

Yes I love Feral pigeons ,but I couldnt eat a whole one,which wouldn't be loving them at all really,which I dont.

[AndrewB]

I must say I do enjoy watching them in town squares etc and feel sorry for them (except in the past when they have taken over the bird table) on account of their place in the general order of things.

We never hear other wild birds referred to as "feral", such as "feral starlings".

[Jason Green]

Hi Connor,

I like them too. Especially when you're at the train station on the way to work, watching them trying to mate or drink from puddles!

Originally Posted by AndrewB

We never hear other wild birds referred to as "feral", such as "feral starlings".

Now I'm probably wrong here, but I believe the 'feral' tag comes from the way they were once domesticated of sorts, or inter-bred from some natural Rock Dove or something. They then escaped and re-naturalised and like several escaped Geese species, are then called 'Feral'. Starlings, whilst as common in some areas but Red-listed by the RSPB, have always been wild - regardless of how often they can be associated with pigeons or numbersome at bird tables.

Take care,

Jason

[Ferret]

Feral pigeons have only one redeeming feature for me and that is that they are providing food for Peregrine Falcons and are therefore helping the colonisation of our city’s by these magnificent birds.

Originally Posted by AndrewB
We never hear other wild birds referred to as "feral", such as "feral starlings".

As Jason said the word ‘feral’ in this instance refers to the fact that they are domesticated birds that have become self sufficient and have a self sustaining population in the wild.

[Kayleigh]

What would the Derby peregrines live on without them..

I dont mind them they dont bother me the seagulls in St Ives are a pest they take food out of your hand steel from babies.. the pigeons dont do that..

[Wild About Birds]

Yep, i do love them too

[Madelinew]

I think they are hilariously stupid and for all the reasons listed above the world would be a sadder place without them. Between them and the collared doves, they keep my sparrowhawk happy. And I'm a bit partial myself :-)

[SheffieldLass]

I think they are rather bright birds, they manage to inhabit a very uninhabitable environment (urban centres). I got very fond of the group that visited my bird table, very distinctive individual characters. Some reached 4 years of age. I've now moved and I really miss them.

Some of their behaviour that looks to be 'stupid' is actually very wise behaviour, to do with looking for predators before they land. And one group learned to use the blue tit hanging seed feeders. First one discovered after quite a few attempts how to hang on with one foot on one perch, and the other on a very slight ledge on the base of the feeder. The others watched very intently and then tried it out for themselves. They were very quick learners.

[Madelinew]

mmm - mine sit in a row on the top of a trellis in my garden and the sparrowhawk gradually picks them off. It's a favourite roost and they obviously haven't learnt that it isn't a safe one. Also they are the only birds in my very busy garden which ever hit my windows.

[Jason Claxton]

I had a Feral Pigeon off my window the other day ,Madeline,it spent a while fluttering in front of a small window,in this case I think the pigeon wanted to share my home and was looking for somewhere to nest

[Madelinew]

Perhaps it's our Southern pigeons, Jason, that inherited the thick gene.

[Wildlifegardener]

Yeah they are funny. I saw one having an arguement with a piece of string that had previously held a cereal ring. They are also really good at clearing up spilt food on the ground. Although they do tend to eat quite a lot...

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

I think they are rather bright birds

Absolutely agreed. I once saw a male find a squashed chocolate cupcake and begin eating it without competition. Soon another saw the meal and landed next to him, eating too. He obviously didn't like that; Up he stood, chest pushed out, tail lowered and fanned and began walking around her cooing! She wasn't interested so walked off a bit - and not-so-heartbroken he went back to eating! She returned when she thought he had forgotten - and as soon as she was back he tried wooing her again! This happened several times, with him obviously knowing they aren't always interested in breeding. Clever behaviour I thought.

I saw a pair mating once. The way they preen each other's necks after copulating is so sweet.

[Jason Claxton]

I remember once seeing Feral pigeons feeding on chips once,one of them would pick up a chip give it a shake and then the rest of the chip would go flying off with a chasing pack behind it and so on...,they are silly really.But strangely seem to much more efficient when it comes to scoffing the contents of my bird table