I don't know what to do, this totally sux, it's really mundaine, input, SVP.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Yesterday morning I noticed that a very pretty gray mama pigeon had moved into my balcony planter, made herself a nest and laid two eggs. I was quite excited at the prospect of being a mother (figuratively, of course), and was a little concerned about do’s and don’ts with pigeons. (I have markedly little experience.)

I contacted the local bird sanctuary to see if I could get some basic info about pigeons and they put me in contact with the local Racing Pigeon Fanciers Association. I explained the situation and inquired about moving the pigeons, using my balcony, whether pigeons would get aggressive when they had babies, etc. etc.

I basically wanted to find out exactly the best thing to do. Well, the pigeon man explained that, while now, I have a mama and 2 eggs, soon I will have a mama, probably a father, and 2 babies. And in about 45 days, I’ll have a mama, a daddy, 2 babies, and another clutch of eggs, and about 45 days after that, I’ll have a mama, a daddy, 6 babies, 4 eggs… You can see where this is going. He said by balcony will be over run with pigeons. That I’ll have pigeon poo up to my yang and that it’s not sanitary. He said the pigeons could get aggressive with my bunnies if I put them on the balcony to get sun. He said that leaving this pigeon to do her thing is A VERY BAD IDEATM.

He told me I have to…::gulp::…kill the baby pigeons.

He said to just take the eggs out and throw them away. The baby pigeons inside will die and the mama pigeon will leave – No kidding – after I murder her babies.

I fell horrible about this. My beau has graciously agreed to come over tomorrow morning and do the deed because I know I couldn’t do it myself. I don’t even know if I’m going to be able to let him do it. I just looked out and the mama pigeon is out there, dutifully sitting on her eggs, keeping them warm. She seems like a really nice pigeon too.

Man this suxs. :(

[Shakes]

Well, if you ever ate scramble eggs before... I think you know where I'm going with this. Also if it helps I think your stressing more than the actual mother would. Its simply the nature of things. Not a big deal really.

This still doesn't negate the fact that it sux though. :(

[alice_in_wonderland]

Yah, not a real big egg fan, actually. And AFAIK, the eggs that are used to scramble aren't fertilized, and thus don't contain actual baby birds.

[Caught@Work]

If it's a high balcony, then cuck the eggs over the side, and then they won't feel a thing.

[mkmiller99]

That is quite sad! Last year my mom and I found a newly hatched bird that had fallen out of the nest, so I took it home in hopes of tending to it until it had opened its eyes and grew a bit. He lived for about a week, I was sooo sad. I buried him in my back yard. I feel for your situation.

Melanie

[alice_in_wonderland]

I think the people below me might object to being dive bombed by pigeon eggs, but thanks for the thought.

One of my friends (of Chinese ancestory) suggested that I find a nice Chinese family and give the eggs to them. She seemed to think they would eat them (although she may have been pulling my leg).

[Caught@Work]

Errr. Bunnies and Pigeons.
Where do you keep bunnies up that high ?

[LolaBaby]

I don't know anything about birds, but is there absolutely no other alternative? Moving (the birds, not you)?

[BooBoo316]

Well, it looks like you only have two choices: destroy the eggs and nest or become pigeon city. If you can't bring yourself to crack the eggs, I guess you could just run the mother off (and/or move the nest) and the eggs will go bad. Don't wait too long...if it's hard for you to do it now, just wait until they hatch.

[Larry Mudd]

I've had pigeons move in on me. (Into the eaves of my house, outside my bedroom window.)

They are, as Woody Allen observed, rats with wings.

If you are hesitant about getting rid of the eggs, read this (http://www.horne.com/schools/pigeon.html).

It should make you feel better about it.

[Lucretia]

Well, far be it for me to question an expert, but we once had a pigeon nest on our balcony. Babies hatched, grew up, whole family flew away, and we never saw them again (at least, I don't think we did. We did have the odd stray pigeon that perched on the railing briefly, may have been one of them, don't know.)

Anyway, from personal experience I know a single nest doesn't always turn into pigeon central. Maybe you could see what happens after these babies grow up, and take action only if things start getting unpleasant?

[pulykamell]

I had the same experience Lucretia. Every year, when my father would put up the air conditioner, the nesting pigeons would soon follow. We'd get about six or so baby pigeons, but it never was any problem. They'd eventually just go away and that's it. In the, oh, 15 years or so which I can remember, we never witnessed a Hitchcockesque scene near our house.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Originally posted by Caught@Work
Where do you keep bunnies up that high ?

What? In Canada?






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:D

[alice_in_wonderland]

Originally posted by Caught@Work
Where do you keep bunnies up that high ?

What? In Canada?






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:D

[GrandfatherTrout]

Oh, you really don't want a nest of pigeons on your balcony. They are surprisingly noisy, and filthy beyond belief. We had a pair nest under our air conditioner for a summer a few years back. Bleeding hearts that we are, we let them stay. When we took the a/c in for the winter, my partner went through an entire bottle of Formula 409 getting the grease, dirt, and pigeon droppings off it. The following year we were really generous with the chicken wire when setting it back out.

The nest will continue to grow, built up using matted feathers and pigeon droppings, just FYI.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Well, I wimped out.

My beau came to do the deed and I wouldn't let him. He was very gracious about it, considering that he had to come half way across town.

I've decided that I'm going to let the eggs hatch, wait until the babies are old enough to pretty much take care of themselves and then repot my planter. That should pretty much get rid of the nest.

[12hazel]

Good for you, alice. I would have spared them too.

Besides, now we know where all the baby pigeons are! (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_015b.html)

:D

[Billy Baroo]

Friends of mine had some of these winged disease bags in the eaves outside their bedroom window. Didn't think much of it, until one day when the comforter on the bed appeared to be undulating. Turns out the bedroom was teeming with bird mites, and those little abominations bite. They killed all of the mites and cleaned them up, but they'd be back in no time. They found the source, and the bugs were legion, pouring in over the windowsill. The nests must have been full, so they were getting the overflow. The infestation was not easy to exterminate, and the flying rats were damn hard to get rid of, too.

::Shudder::

So do yourself a favor. No mercy! Crush the eggs under your bootheel. A crossbow bolt should work just fine for the unlucky hen. And take pictures for me, mmmkay?

[alice_in_wonderland]

Originally posted by Billy Baroo
Turns out the bedroom was teeming with bird mites, and those little abominations bite. They killed all of the mites and cleaned them up, but they'd be back in no time.


Wow - that's gross.

Fortunatly, my fine feathered friend and her chillin's are nesting in a planter about 12 feet away from the nearest window.

The buggies may get in, but they'll have a heck of a treck.

Today I spotted the papa pidgeon- he showed up to spell the mama pidgeon for a spell. He seems nice too. It's just like an episode of Leave it to Beaver. Well, except with birds. :p

[heresiarch]

So you're going the compassion route, eh? Good for you.

And if you're ever re-incarnated as a pigeon, you'll be guaranteed a cushy life! So you got that going for ya. :D

[alice_in_wonderland]

Indeed.

There's a spot in pigeon heaven reserved for me and my friends. :)

[alice_in_wonderland]

ACK!!!

We just checked and there are teeny, tiny little baby pigeons!!! :):):)

They're SO CUTE!!!

This is really cool. :)

[shannybonanny]

Hooray! Baby pigeons! :D

More pigeon info (including bug-related issues) from Dopers. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=106656)

I didn't want to say anything before in case you changed your mind, but I'm glad you let them stay. I've gotten sorta fond of pigeons myself. ;)

[alice_in_wonderland]

There are 2 cute little fluffy yellow pigeons in my planter. :)

I'm trying to avoid the balconey for a while until everyone kinda chills out, out there. Papa pigeon is pretty relaxed, but mama pigeon takes off when I go out there, and then flys around circling my balcony, basiclly telling me to get lost. When I go back it, she always comes right back to the nest though.

I'm thinking about getting some pigeon feed to put out there...

Baby Pigeons are SOO COOL!