Monday, November 10, 2008

Pierre the baby pigeon

Pierre was so young when we found her, most people told us we shouldn't bother trying to save her.  "Impossible" is what they said.  OR WORSE, they would ask, "Why bother?"   

But against all odds, and even against the wishes of our neighbors, who thought there were already enough pigeons in the world, we saved Pierre.  
Pierre was some kind of miracle. 

And so, when Pierre got a little bigger, she lived on a branch in our kitchen.  

Till one day when she flew away.  
 
It was the following summer, when we returned to our french village, that we found Pierre (right) living in the attic behind our terrace with her mate, Maurice (left).    

The only way to determine the sex a pigeon is by behavior.  Males bow and coo and strut, with fanned tails dragging the ground, around their object of affection.  Females are more demure. Maurice was clearly the male.  So much bigger than the other birds, he reminds me of a Parrot, except he's all black with iridescence.   

Pigeon Fact: Pigeons are close avian relatives to the parrot.  





1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi, I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts. It's wonderful to see another pigeon lover who believes that there is every reason to 'bother' to save a pigeon. :) Pierre was indeed an adorable baby! :) Rev from Pigeons as Pets