Recently I noticed Wood Pigeons feasting on the holly berries in an adjacent garden. This is the first year I have seen this. Although I watch the garden birds every day I've never seen pigeons eating berries before.
There is plenty of food around still and so our holly tree has not been targeted yet. However, a pair of Wood Pigeons has been feeding on the heavily-berried Pyracantha outside our sitting room. I'm accustomed to seeing blackbirds and thrushes gobbling the fruit here and in the holly tree, but it's something of a novelty to see pigeons feeding on them. Blackbirds and thrushes feed rapidly and greedily but the pigeons are slower, as though the berries are an acquired taste or the habit of eating them is only just being established.
The juvenile lacks the white neck flash of the adult.
I noticed that one pigeon was an adult and the other a juvenile. Maybe the youngster is an adventurous adolescent whose mother is saying, 'I don't think you'll like them, but try them if you must. Mind the thorns, dear.'
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Love the holly berries! I've not seen pigeons eating berries before either.
ReplyDeleteWe occasionally have a "pigeon strike" by our feeders where anywhere from a dozen to two dozen suddenly swoop down and clean us out. lol
Have a great weekend. :D
You have a great seiries of shots there. What a pretty bush with all the red berries. It does make for a fabulous shot. Funny how they just decided to starst eating the berries. I alway wondered how they avoided the thorns too. We have a bouganvilla that birds love to hang out in and it is so thick with thorns...makes you wonder.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid (many years ago) we had many pigeons, now they are seldom seen in our area. Good captures.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janice, this is a lovely trio of photos. I love the combination of colors around the wood pigeons.
ReplyDeleteGood Capture. its so nice...
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of very beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteThey look so large there in the bright berries.
ReplyDeleteThe berrie are beautiful. I would think most birds love berries.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous berries for Mum and Junior to taste-test, Janice. Your Pyracantha has enough for a whole flock of pigeons, but I'll bet you're anxious to get a photo of them eating holly berries - another first!
ReplyDeleteI guess these three pictures were shot through a window. They came out wonderfully well.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
the berries must be yummy!
ReplyDeletethat was an intersting post. I have never seen it either. But my book says some of them do. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation that the pigeons eat the berries more slowly, as if they're just becoming accustomed to them. Funny imagined conversation between mom and offspring.
ReplyDeleteThe holly berries looks so thick and lovely. I wonder if the wood pigeons will finish them off.
ReplyDeleteI bet they go there everyday, lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteLove your photos. Are they a couple?
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by....
lovely! =)
ReplyDelete