I nailed strips of wood around the bird table to keep out the pigeons so that the little birds could get at the mealworms and seeds.
Despite that, the pigeons keep on trying. Tamara loves the way they slide down the roof and stop at the edge before contorting themselves to reach in. They do look lovely the way they slide and balance like gymnasts.
And sometimes the flapping of their wings flicks bits out onto the ground below, where more pigeons enjoying the benefits, in among small birds trying their luck.
Eventually, the pigeons give up and the small birds return.
Tech stuff
Nikon D500 with 70=-300mm lens
f/ 6.3 1
ISO 800
Exposure compensation +0.33
Focal length 135mm
Pigeon Info
These in the photo are feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and rock pigeons (Columba livia), which are also known as rock doves. Feral pigeons are domestic pigeons that have returned to the wild. And domestic pigeons are bred from Rock pigeons. Wild rock pigeons are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons are a mix of colours, without any real pattern. As you can see from the photo, at least one of the birds fits the description of a rock dove.
We also get visits from Wood pigeons (Columba palumbus), which are very distinctive with a white patch either side of their necks. The breast is a delicate iridescent mix of green, blue, red and purple.
Finally, we have had visits but only rarely from Collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto), which are smaller, delicately boned, with a pale pinky grey brown body and thin black neck markings. They are almost always in pairs, and far fewer of them anywhere in the country than there were.
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