Pigeon Talk

[dpenning]

Glad you are sticking around FMF! Your posts were some of the first I read here!

Do any of you live out in the country where there are a higher instance of birds of prey than in a city environment? I guess I almost consider pigeon lofts a city thing.....

I'm just wondering if I'm just asking for trouble. Most of what I see flying around are turkey vultures or blackbirds but I know for a fact there are quite a few hawks that I hear regularly and see quite often. Are pigeons like a flying buffet that will bring hawks from all over the neighborhood?

 

[backyard pigeons]

Glad you are sticking around FMF! Your posts were some of the first I read here!

Do any of you live out in the country where there are a higher instance of birds of prey than in a city environment? I guess I almost consider pigeon lofts a city thing.....

I'm just wondering if I'm just asking for trouble. Most of what I see flying around are turkey vultures or blackbirds but I know for a fact there are quite a few hawks that I hear regularly and see quite often. Are pigeons like a flying buffet that will bring hawks from all over the neighborhood?

I live in the city, and hawks are bad, but not as bad as in the country I bet. If you fly fancy breeds like fantails, satinettes, old German owls, pouters, jaconins etc. You are asking to lose the birds. But if you fly homers or something, you won't lose as many. But still, don't fly a bird you can't afford to lose. I wouldn't fly any fancy breeds. What breeds are you thinking?


@shawluvsbirds are you going to get pigeons!? Did I already ask that???

 

[dpenning]

I really like the satinettes but i'm still just learning and researching. I'll go with whatever will be best suited to my environment.

 

[cavemanrich]

There are many things to consider. In the rural/country areas, the food chain supply determines the number of predators that reproduce. There are also many other things around for the predators to have for dinner. In the city, the supply will be different.
Here in Chicago,, I have read or such that they encouraged , and relocated a quantity of hawks to control the BIG BEN population. The hawks seem to be everywhere these days. I also think that the city wants the feral population of pigeons to be in check with these hawks. I know for fact that if you are caught feeding feral pigeons in Chicago proper, the fine is HEFTY. First the authorities need to catch you in the act. All you need is a NASTY NEIGHBOR to snitch on you. The fines will follow GUARANTEED.
Here in Chicago, and surrounding area, there is also a COYOTE population. Of course they know the hangouts. They do not try to eliminate these ether, since they do like to snack on BIG BENS and feral cats. as well.
If you are in a rural area, I think your pigeons may be less of a target than in a city. My logic comes from the food supply available. I may be wrong.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

We have a variety of predators here on the mountain... black bears, coyotes, bobcats, chicken hawks, red tail hawks, coons etc.. I haven't had problems with them personally because of all the dogs but many people loose chickens and other livestock to them on occasion. It can be frustrating at best, heartbreaking more often.

 

[WVduckchick]

We have raccoons, possums, skunks, the occasional fox or coyote. But hawks have been my worst nemesis. I had one bad loss to raccoons last year, momma duck and several ducklings, but the hawks pick them out of the yard. That’s why I doubt I will ever free-fly any of mine.

We still have a lot of wild birds, woodpeckers, rabbits, etc though.
I spotted this dove the last few days, in my yard eating where I toss scratch to the small group of chickens that roam free all day. I thought she was alone, but finally saw her mate with her this morning. They fly away when I go outside, so I took this from my kitchen window. Both of them on the edge of the roof. They are gorgeous!

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh crap! I almost forgot the best news!!!!! Both of Shadow’s eggs are fertile and developing!!

I haven’t been able to check Bonnie’s eggs because of her location. Once I added the box on top, where Trip is now, I can’t reach her. So I’ll just have to wait another week or so to see if hers hatch.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Oh crap! I almost forgot the best news!!!!! Both of Shadow’s eggs are fertile and developing!!

I haven’t been able to check Bonnie’s eggs because of her location. Once I added the box on top, where Trip is now, I can’t reach her. So I’ll just have to wait another week or so to see if hers hatch.

Yay!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

We have raccoons, possums, skunks, the occasional fox or coyote. But hawks have been my worst nemesis. I had one bad loss to raccoons last year, momma duck and several ducklings, but the hawks pick them out of the yard. That’s why I doubt I will ever free-fly any of mine.

We still have a lot of wild birds, woodpeckers, rabbits, etc though.
I spotted this dove the last few days, in my yard eating where I toss scratch to the small group of chickens that roam free all day. I thought she was alone, but finally saw her mate with her this morning. They fly away when I go outside, so I took this from my kitchen window. Both of them on the edge of the roof. They are gorgeous!
View attachment 1693191

Oh crap! I almost forgot the best news!!!!! Both of Shadow’s eggs are fertile and developing!!

I haven’t been able to check Bonnie’s eggs because of her location. Once I added the box on top, where Trip is now, I can’t reach her. So I’ll just have to wait another week or so to see if hers hatch.

Awesome!!!

 

[Qwerty3159]

I live in a very wooded environment. I've only had my birds since October so I haven't had experience with a spring or summer with them yet but we get a lot of Cooper's hawks in your area and those are probably going to be your worst aerial menace. I have had many incidents. The red tails are quite common around here too but I have yet to have one have any interest in my birds. Cooper's are specialized bird hunters.

My personal suggestion is to "make friends" with the wild birds and learn their anti-predator calls. I have several bird feeders on my property and today I witnessed a mob including blue jays, a red bellied woodpecker, titmice, chickadees, and juncos ward off a Cooper's hawk from my yard. Robins are also good for this as they have a very piercing alarm call and don't tolerate any predators around when they're nesting.