16 June 2024
Rock pigeons nest on cliffs within the wild, or on excessive buildings and bridges in feral settings. They are going to even nest inside chimneys if the chimney has a ledge. Years in the past I had no thought this was doable till I heard cooing in the lounge and at last took time to research.
We used to personal a home in-built 1907 with two brick chimneys. After we changed the furnace, the principle chimney went utterly unused. There was no exhaust from the furnace and no smoke from a hearth so I ignored chimney upkeep. I didn’t notice that my negligence left the chimney open to new tenants.
Gosh, I used to be naive. A brick fell down the chimney but it surely solely occurred as soon as and I procrastinated till I forgot about it. (The lacking brick in all probability created a ledge.) One spring I heard starling voices coming down the chimney, however I heard them solely twice and I forgot about it. Then one yr I heard cooing within the chimney. It occurred usually sufficient that I couldn’t ignore it. I went outdoors to take a look at the chimney. What was happening?
As I watched from the road, a pigeon landed on the chimney and disappeared. Hmmm! When it reappeared the pigeon flew to some brush, picked up a twig, flew again to the chimney and disappeared. The chimney had no cap. He was constructing a nest!
Rock pigeon nests are very naked bones, largely substrate with a number of twigs and dried grasses. The male gathers materials whereas she stays on the nest and coos when he brings new bits and items. I used to be listening to them construct the nest.
I rapidly employed a critter management firm who eliminated the pigeon nest and capped the chimney. The cap was a easy wire mesh like this one. Downside solved! (This isn’t a photograph of my outdated home however the cap is analogous.)
So now you recognize. If you hear pigeons cooing within the chimney they’re establishing housekeeping. It’s by no means secure to imagine they aren’t nesting. Rock pigeons breed all yr lengthy if there may be satisfactory meals available.
p.s. Have you ever ever seen a child pigeon? They don’t seem like their dad and mom.
