Sunday, April 11, 2010

Empty Nest Syndrome




It's been four and a half weeks since they hatched and the young pigeons now wander and flap about my little balcony making short "flights" up to the air conditioner. Their parents still keep a close eye on them and feed them although they are beginning to peck at and swallow things on their own.

They sleep huddled together in the same planter in which they were born but they have grown into their beaks...somewhat. Ah teenagers (I mean fledglings!) Soon they'll be driving!

3 comments:

Annette Tait said...

Goodness me Suzanne - what a joy to have the parents use your well for their precious brood!
(I read back to your earlier post)
The youngsters are lucky to have a safe start to their life.
I worry about the city pigeons in Edinburgh, particularly the city centre ones where they have oily feathers and not many toes.
The ones on the outskirts fare so much better.
When I lived in Australia I had a blind pigeon that I brought up. She had fallen out of her nest as a baby. I called her Ygraine and she was just perfect :)

Suzanne@threepeats said...

I've resisted naming these two because I know they will be off on their own soon enough but I secretly think of them as Lord and Taylor!

Annette Tait said...

well Suzanne, I think those two youngsters will be living very close by for the rest of their lives and you may just see them every day.
Pigeons stay in their own area usually and don't fly too far away and every night they all roost together at dusk.
I know wild ones can live for at least 8 years if they have nutritious food (30gms) every day.