Dead pigeons

[owlfield]

I have today found the third dead pigeon in my garden in as many weeks - the first had flown into the patio door (despite having a bird silhouette sticker on the glass to avoid this) the second was drowned in the pond, and today's was just sitting dead on the lawn. Is this natural mortality or are they suffering from death-wish?! Or over-eating??

[George Jones]

We are in the shooting season at the moment, what you are finding are birds that have flown on and died from shot gun wounds.

[faz]

is the bird sticker on the out side of the window ? the two are self explanatory the third ? yoy need to look at it see if a gun wound or or a natural way that it died gos, fmale spar etc

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by George Jones

We are in the shooting season at the moment, what you are finding are birds that have flown on and died from shot gun wounds.

It's pretty unlikely that 3 fatally wounded pigeons would all fly on from the scene of the shooting and end up in the same garden. Far more likely is the current Trichomonosis epidemic, but without having the corpses to hand it's all pretty much speculation.

The RSPB: Advice: Trichomonosis in finches and other garden birds

[faz]

no body has said it a shooting

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by faz

no body has said it a shooting

Faz, please read the post I've quoted in my reply

[faz]

oop,s sorry

[George Jones]

you would not see a single shot gun pellet wound, I often get dead wood pigeon in my garden, because I am close to local shoots.

[George Jones]

Can I also add its only at this time of year, shooting season.

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by George Jones

Can I also add its only at this time of year, shooting season.

George, there is no shooting season for Woodpigeon. They can be shot at any time of year, as can Collared Doves and Feral Pigeons. But, my point is that without having the corpses at hand, or a more detailed description of the condition of the birds, the cause of their demise is unclear.