Friends of Birdcage Walk
and St Andrew's Churchyard

Some of you may have noticed three wood pigeons flying around as a tight group recently. They are actually a parent with two hungry chicks, aged around two months, and the young ones are trying to feed on ‘pigeon milk’ . It’s a curd like substance that is high in protein and fat (higher than cow and human milk!) and is produced by both Mum or Dad in their crops where they can also store food before it is digested. The chicks try to insert their bills deep inside the crop and suck it up.. perhaps with some softened seeds ! It is also loaded with antibodies to boost the young ones immune system. Aren’t they clever ! The problem is, as always, both chicks want to feed at the same time and squabbling starts with one frustrated chick  trying to squeeze between them to get a share … even flying on to the parents back to try and disrupt them. In one of the shots this frustrated chick looks like an angel ! I know they are not everyone’s taste but I love watching the garden wood pigeons flying around… they are always up to something !