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..