Dead pigeons

[electricwarrior]

This week I have disposed of 3 dead pigeons in my garden and just noticed one on the roof of my neighbours house(No Monty Python dead parrot lines please ). In the 10 or so years I've lived here I've seen the occasional dead one but not in these numbers. Is it rice growing season and have the fields been laced with pigeon killing poison?

Anyone else seeing the same?

[Dannie Boy]

We live close to rice fields and get plagued by pigeons on the roof of our house when they are harvesting and planting new seed - sorry to say it, but as far as I’m concerned, the only good pigeon is a dead one.

[HHTel]

Absolutely agree regarding feral pigeons. "Rats with wings" and like rats they carry some dangerous diseases.

[Thailightzone]

Well this raises one of the strangest mysteries of the planet. There are millions of birds in any particular area, why don't we see many dead ones in the streets every day?

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

[HHTel]

"Of course, in nature, things very often work in tandem. Scavengers and predators, such as rats, cats or foxes, can usually seek out these hideouts for prey. Often, these predators will eat the prey themselves or take them back to feed their young, which is why it's rare to find the remains of dead birds. Due to a bird's light body mass, those that aren't found by predators or scavengers will decompose rapidly. Insects will cover any dead body quickly and the bird would soon decay before it is found."

[lindosfan1]

I used to shoot them, pigeon breasts very tasty.

[Thailightzone]

"Of course, in nature, things very often work in tandem. Scavengers and predators, such as rats, cats or foxes, can usually seek out these hideouts for prey. Often, these predators will eat the prey themselves or take them back to feed their young, which is why it's rare to find the remains of dead birds. Due to a bird's light body mass, those that aren't found by predators or scavengers will decompose rapidly. Insects will cover any dead body quickly and the bird would soon decay before it is found."

True, but the percentages would suggest you come across some.



Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

[HHTel]

I took that quote from the RSPB website. There is much more info on the subject:

Despite the fact that there are numerous flocks of birds, which are often seen while alive, people rarely see pavements littered with the bodies of dead birds. Most birds in the wild only live for a few years, and very few will die from 'natural' causes. They are very unlikely to survive to old age for example.

Birds, like many other creatures, will seek secluded, out-of-the-way places when they're feeling sick - woodpeckers will climb into a hole in a tree, for example. Sick birds will go to ground and because they feel vulnerable they will hide away. Sometimes, rest and seclusion help them to recover, but if they die there, they sometimes won't be found in their hideouts.

https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildl ... birds.aspx

[dtaai-maai]

[Thailightzone]

Thank HHTel. Great answer.

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

[sateeb]

DM, a fine example of comedy that would have today's "I'm outraged" mob choking on their muesli