hi
the other day my son and I were holding a baby starling that was seemingly asking us for help, checking it out for damage when an almighty uproar came from the neighbours trees, and a pigeon emerged with another baby starling in its mouth, the baby was trying to get free, the pigeon dropped it on our lawn and the bird scuttled into the flower bed and died.
I cannot find much info on the net about pigeons attacking other birds, on the contrary general opinion appears to be the opposite. Has anyone else witnessed this? Is it normal behaviour? Does anyone know why they do it?
Needless to say the first baby was taken straight down to the vet.
thanks
Caroline
Jim
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Wood pigeons can be just as aggressive as many other species, particularly at this time of year while the protect and raise their broods.
If the startling was weakened ie not of good health, it is natures way of keeping the weaker species down to enable strong breeding and healthy adults of all species. It may seem harsh, and the weaker species will know they're vulnerable and do what they can to protect themselves.
I have seen a wood pigeon bludgeon its beak into the vertebrae on to the back of the neck a juvenile wood pigeon, ferociously!
That was most likely a territorial attack on an adolescent wood pigeon, it was moulting into the adult plumage, but it does tell the story, that wood pigeons can be as aggressive as any other species.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler