A crow attacked the squabs, one died

Aira    Featured Post     crow attack, flower pot, normal brd attack, pigeon, squab

As I wrote that few weeks ago, pigeons lay eggs in the flower pot of mine and both eggs hatched. However on inspection this morning one seems to be thriving, whereas the other one I can’t see. It was early morning and as usual, I went into my balcony to see the squabs in my flower pot hanging in the balcony and both of them were fine. After an hour, I saw a crow but as I was too busy I ignored and went to do my clutters.

In the afternoon, I went to see the squabs again and it was just one with her mother. Then I saw the flesh of the squabs scattered and painted with blood. I was shocked. I felt so hurt and bad and was depressed whole day.  Two weeks ago I saw flower pot with two squabs and now it is just one! A crow might have attacked the young pigeon i.e. squab  in the flower pot when the adult pigeon was not there. I remember, the crow has come in the morning and when she saw the small bird, she was instantly after it. Couldn’t resist. May be that crow has attacked the squabs and one of them fall down and the crow ate him and left over the blood and feathers all in the balcony floor.

When the squabs were hatched, we use to enjoy each day, their shouting and screaming all.  But today, it was the most saddest moment..I always thought that pigeons & crows were carrion feeders, and have never seen either bird attacking live prey before. Is such an attack normal?

Now I think it would be best to remove it from the balcony floor. It may draw ants or flies which could attack or harm the living squab. I wish the parents could remove a dead chick if they could, but usually it is too heavy for the adults to handle and they end up leaving it there..so it would better to clean up.  I will clean up the dead squab left over flesh today. The male pigeon returned to the nest immediately to protect the live squab (phew and yay!). I was happy to see that and wish at least the other one survive.

A squab in my flower pot!

Aira    Featured Post     balcony, feelings, flower pot, garden, pigeon, pigeon baby, squabs

Hey folks – I have been watching from last few months, there is certain activities in my flower pot which was hanging in my balcony. You know what, a pigeon’s egg!!

Yes, today, it’s amazing feeling when I saw few baby pigeon in the hanging pot. I mean ’squabs’…you couldn’t believe it, they were just shouting and shouting to tell you something about their Mommy and Daddy and how they care for them, may be. They must have some alarm clocks built inside..

The mommy pigeon cares for them during the night. She sits on the nest – hey – that’s a small flower pot in the balcony of our house, open and clean area, wonderful place – always dry, protected from the wind and the crows, clean and very quiet. I really couldn’t understand what to do next. Probably, thinking of leaving them alone and let them fly.

They are not one, it’s more than three squab and always protected by their parents. Very nice!

Well, I think their mommy cares for them during the night and keeps them warm till the next day until 11.30, I guess. When she hears Daddy’s flapping of his wings she leaves the nest and Daddy starts his duty until the early evening at around 6 pm. I think Daddy is a bit greedy for food so he always stops on the food plate first before he sits down to take over his duties. But nevertheless he very much cares for them and protects them.

Sometimes he thinks that we are going too close to his beloved ones and so he starts hissing, blowing himself up like a bodybuilder – he makes himself really big – impressive – and really looks angry and is ready to do everything to defend his little ones. I think he is a bit a choleric – Mommy never makes such a fuss – I think she knows better that no-one is doing their kids any harm here.

They are growing rapidly.  Their skin is darkening. I think very soon they will loose their pinky skin colour – but looked like a little piggy anyway – maybe it’s better now…

You know, Pigeons has excellent eyesight, they also can see ultraviolet light – part of the light spectrum that humans can’t see. Pigeons everywhere have been celebrating. Not only are the skies totally empty of planes, they’re blue as well.  You must be amazed to know that both the sexes produce crop milk to feed their young ones…

Isn’t it so interesting!!!