We Have Pigeon Eggs

[Siam Sam]

We've not seen Manny for a couple of days now, but Tammy's still around. She's 39 days old today (Friday). All still sleep elsewhere but return here in the daytime. Little Pidgee is still acting like she's in labor -- unless we move too close to the window, in which case she flees quickly -- while Big Pidgee alternately hovers over her with attention and stands guard outside the flower box. And they've been lining the flower box with twigs again. I don't know where Big Pidgee went with that one twig awhile back, but clearly if they had a new place, it did not work out. We've got a new flower box to replace the old but not the dirt for it yet. Looks just like the present one. Once we fill in the dirt, we'll switch it with the present one, transferring over the twigs and making a little indentation in the dirt like is out there now.

The parents stopped feeding the squabs days ago. They seem to think it's time for them to fend for themselves. Tammy is especially funny as she keeps squealing to be fed, flocking around Dad, who keeps trying to ignore her. Finally, he'll literally run across the balcony to get away from here -- Little Pidgee too, although Dad is clearly the favorite to bother -- followed by Tammy squealing.

Tammy's seems to be making a general nuisance of herself. Just a little while ago this morning, Tammy was the only one in the flower box. She picked up a twig in her beak, and I swear to you, Little Pidgee came running over, grabbed it away from her, hopped back into the box and set it back down where it belongs. A classic mother-child moment! I think Little Pidgee would have spanked Tammy if she'd had hands.

[Shayna]

I love these adventures!

What a change from when you started this thread, and didn't want them anywhere near your balcony, especially long term! Now they've got you wrapped around their little feathers. Hehehe

[Siam Sam]

Yes, they've definitely grown on us.

Not that we could get rid of them anyway.

[Siam Sam]

Well, the Lost Weekend seems to be over, although I'm not sure what this "temporary server" business is all about. Hopefully, the posts from here on out will stick.

As reported over the Lost Weekend, Little Pidgee laid a fresh egg on Saturday. Yay! The latest news is that she laid the second one yesterday (Tuesday), so they came three days apart this time. I knew an egg was coming yesterday, because there was a renewed flurry of nest-building by both parents. Big Pidgee kept flying off and returning with twigs in rapid succession.

Manny and Tammy have left us. The last time we saw Tammy was last Friday, at age 39 days. Except for a very brief appearance on Monday, Manny was last seen on Saturday, at age 41 days and before Little Pidgee laid her fresh egg. He was trying hard to get both parents to feed him, but in an act of "tough love," they ignored him, clearly wanting him to go off and find his own food.

The first batch left at 50 and 51 days, the second one at 39 and 41 days. Maybe it was because we tried petting the second batch, or maybe the first batch really was the first one for the parents, who learned to kick the kids out quickly (Blackie and Snowy really were making nuisances of themselves to their parents.)

So we'll have fresh squabs in a couple of weeks or so.

[Baker]

I love reading these adventures! Do you have potential names picked out for the next squabs? What about a naming contest? What about bribery?

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Baker

I love reading these adventures! Do you have potential names picked out for the next squabs? What about a naming contest? What about bribery?

Funds are always gladly accepted. But the wife is thinking of Chilli and Pepper for the third batch. I think that's a little too cutesy myself. I like Pepper but may try to use Sammy for the other one. (She's named the first two batches, so it's my turn anyway.)

Three days on from the last cleaning, and the balcony remains CLEAN. I guess this is because the squabs have left and the parents just stay in the flower box all the time now.

The wife and her sister prepared the new flower box with soil and even a slight indentation in the dirt at one end, to match the present one. Tonight, we'll switch them out.

[Siam Sam]

So we switched out the flower box last night (Wednesday night). Looks exactly the same as the old one, just cleaner. The wife and her sister even made a little indentation on one end like the pigeons had made themselves in the old one.

Poor Little Pidgee, though. I really freaked her out. I figured she would move to the rail when I started moving the box over. She did, but then kept on going. Flew off, in the dark! From what we can tell, pigeons hate flying at night. She went straight up, though, and when I looked, I thought I could see her two balconies above on the edge. So I quickly transferred the eggs and all of the twigs they'd been putting in, and we threw the old flower box out in the building's trash. Little Pidgee came back down eventually and settled in.

So now we're back to the old shifts. Little Pidgee sitting on the eggs at night, Big Pidgee during the day (Big Pidgee's shift is actually only about 11am-4:30pm). I noticed Big Pidgee rearranging some of the twigs today; guess I didn't set them up just right.

[Siam Sam]

I finally got around to uploading some photos from last month. Below are the final shots of Manny and Tammy, who have since ventured out into the world.

Here is Tammy at age 27 days on August 17. That's Manny in the background.

This is Manny (on the right) the same day, age 28 days. He's almost a carbon copy of his mother. All that's missing is the white "moustache."

Here is one of the squabs taking a bath on August 19, at ages 30 and 29 days. I had to shoot this through the screen, because if I'd opened the screen, that would have scared them away. It certainly would have scared Big Pidgee away, who is serving as lifeguard in this shot.

This one shows something Manny was especially fond of doing while taking a bath. He would lie down on one side and stretch the opposite wing WAY out, making it look like he was engaging in synchronized swimming. He'd stay in this position for several minutes.

Here is Manny and father above, Tammy below, on August 20.

And a last bath one here, with Manny splashing around, ages 37 and 36 days on August 26, just a few days before they finally left us.

In more current news, Big Pidgee has been fetching a lot of twigs for the nest in the new flower box. They're really piling up in there.

[Siam Sam]

Not much happening on the pigeon front this past week. The second batch of squabs are definitely gone. Big and Little Pidgee have reverted to their old shifts on the new eggs. We expect them to start hatching about the middle of next week.

Big Pidgee chased a stranger pigeon away the other day. He was pretty cool about it. No violent flapping of wings; he simply followed the pigeon like a shadow, sort of pushing it along. Very low key.

It's four months now since we returned home from the North and found them on the balcony.

[Siam Sam]

And we have a new squab! Sammy hatched out this morning (Wednesday morning). Assuming this is the first egg that was laid, it took 18 days. This probably was the first egg, because the other one was laid only 15 days ago, and our understanding is it takes 17-19 days to hatch.

But we've not actually seen little Sammy yet. Little Pidgee was doing a very good job of keeping him covered up this time. But we did see some of the broken eggshell next to her.

The Switch occurred earlier than usual today, before 9:40, when it usually comes around 10:30. Big Pidgee must have known something was up. But I missed the Switch, and so did not get to see Sammy then. The last time it seemed like we saw the squab better on the first day, as you can see if you go back into the photos. I'm wondering if we made the indentation in the dirt of the new box a little too deep, allowing them to cover the squab more efficiently. Good for them I guess, but not for our viewing pleasure. We'll see them soon enough, though. Big Pidgee keeps shifting around like something may be squirming beneath him.

Also, Little Pidgee recently got into the habit of flying straight up out of the flower box once Big Pidgee showed up for the Switch, instead of hopping out and then flying off from the edge of our balcony. Today post-Switch, I see the larger half of the eggshell lying over in the dirt of one of the potted trees, so I guess she must have knocked it over there when she flew straight out.

Once again, we're assigning genders, male for the first one, female the second once she hatches. That one will be named Pepper. The wife suggested using Salt and Pepper or Chilli and Pepper, but I thought that a little too cutesy, so for this batch it's Sammy and Pepper.

[Salem]

Looking forward to more PigeonPics! Thanks for the update!

[FloatyGimpy]

Something that I have really enjoyed through this thread is watching you go from not really knowing a thing about pigeons to becoming experts on them!

You know all about their breeding behaviours, how soon they lay eggs/how many, when they hatch and fledge...

Looking forward to more pictures!

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by FloatyGimpy

Something that I have really enjoyed through this thread is watching you go from not really knowing a thing about pigeons to becoming experts on them!

You know all about their breeding behaviours, how soon they lay eggs/how many, when they hatch and fledge...

Looking forward to more pictures!

Plus, we're increasing the world's pigeon population. BWAA-HAHAHAHAHA! Take THAT, Mankind.

The wife saw the Switch late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday afternoon) and so saw Sammy. I barely caught the Switch this morning and so caught a glimpse of Sammy's furry little yellow butt. That's all we've seen so far. They're really keeping him covered up better this time. Sometins, a parent's feathers will be moving of their own accord, and it's the squab trying to get out. Didn't have a chance to see the other egg this morning, but I don't think it's hatched yet. Probably not before tomorrow.

[Shayna]

YAY! I was wondering when we'd get new pidgees. Welcome to the world, Sammy!

[Siam Sam]

And we have the second squab! Pepper hatched out this morning (Friday morning).

Both squabs are doing well. I can see them both better. Little yellow fur balls. Sammy, at two days old, is becoming a handful for the parents. He seems to like moving around.

[Siam Sam]

Pidgee drama! Big Pidgee heroically defended the squabs this morning (Saturday morning). A strange pigeon landed and he chased it away, then it returned with another, presumably it's mate. Big Pidgee crouched down and settled himself over the squabs, giving the strangers the evil eye while hunkering down. The stranger pigeons started checking the balcony out, then Big Pidgee hopped out and chased them away. They flew to the top rail of the balcony, and Big Pidgee followed them, chasing them away for good. Go Big Pidgee!

This gave us a brief opportunity to take a good look at Sammy and Pepper uncovered. They're 3 days and 1 day now. The two days' difference in ages makes a big difference in size right now. Pepper is so much smaller than Sammy, really tiny. They're both very wiggly and keep poking out from underneath the parents.

I'll miss them for a few days next week while I'm in for shoulder surgery. They'll have really grown when I see them again. I suspect by the time I return home, Little Pidgee will be leaving them alone at night.

[Siam Sam]

Okay, I'll leave you with some photos until I return in a few days.

This one was taken on September 4. It's Little pidgee sitting on the eggs in the new flower box. (Apologies for the dirty window.) And here is a shot of the eggs later that morning. Little Pidgee either couldn't wait around for the Switch and so left early (she does that sometimes) or maybe just flew out for a quick snack; can't remember which.

Here is Big Pidgee guarding the eggs in the new flower box on September 5. Notice how CLEAN it looks.

And now for two weeks later, this past Friday. This is the day Pepper hatched, but in this photo, we see Big Pidgee and a 2-day-old Sammy peeking out; Pepper is still hidden somewhere underneath the father. Here is a closer view view of Father and Sammy. You can see a little white spot on the tip of Sammy's beak. That's been common for all of our squabs so far; they outgrow it eventually.

The rest from here on out are all from today (Sunday). This morning, Little Pidgee picked up the large portion of Pepper's eggshell and flew off with it -- it must have been getting in her way -- so I took the opportunity to take these photos. (She did return eventually.) Here we have 2-day-old Pepper in front and 4-day-old Sammy in the ear. Notice the reddish coloring in Pepper's yellow fur. That's not the camera screwing up; she really is a reddish-yellow.

Pepper and Sammy from a different angle in this one. Sammy's little wings are especially cute here. It looks like someone pasted them on, like those fairy wings wings little girls run around wearing. And Pepper on the left has a cute little butt.

Pepper and Sammy again here and here. In the latter photo, what looks like Pepper's little eye is actually an earhole. Her eye is that larger, roundish black lump by the earhole. Sammy opened his eyes yesterday at three days, so we expect Pepper to open hers tomorrow.

And one more, this one of Big Pidgee and Pepper, after the Switch. Sammy's back underneath Big Pidgee somewhere.

And all of these photos can be found on one page here in the new folder we've started for this batch.

My wife practically swoons over Big Pidgee now. He seems to be the perfect mate, and he's clearly a better parent, although Little Pidgee does pull her weight, too. But Big Pidgee never gets tired of waiting for Little Pidgee to show up, never takes off early. He's noticeably more affectionate to Little Pidgee than vice versa. He stands guard in military fashion over Little Pidgee while she's in the process of laying her eggs. It's too early to tell yet with this batch, but so far the first two batches have clearly preferred the father over the mother. Although Little Pidgee also feeds the squabs, he seems to do most of the feeding himself. And he has a record of chasing away strange pigeons he doesn't want around the squabs. I don't mean to dump on Little Pidgee -- she's very cute and actually looks rather feminine; we can see why Big pidgee would go for her -- but Big Pidgee is definitely Da Man.

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

But Big Pidgee never gets tired of waiting for Little Pidgee to show up, never takes off early.

Well, no sooner did I write that but what happens? Big Pidgee takes off early! Little Pidgee seemed surprised not to find him here when she showed up. He did stop by for some water later.

Of course, we took that opportunity to give the squabs a little pet. Soft! They seemed to take it in stride and not freak out or freeze up. Maybe a little too young to understand the potential danger?

[Baker]

You need to have a naming contest for the next set of squabs!

Thanks for keeping us updated!

[Siam Sam]

The squabs grew a lot in the course of the four days I spent in the hospital for my shoulder surgery. Returned home yesterday (Friday) to find Sammy BIG. He was nine days old, and about that time they start looking a little Orson Welles-ish, with a disproportionately large chest and body. No worries, the whole pigeon soon takes on normal proportions once it grows a little more. Today (Saturday), they're 8 and 10 days old. The first hints of normal color are coming in, and it looks like both will end up with some white.

You'll be amused to know that in the absence of a TV in my hospital room, the wife and I were kept amused by a pigeon couple continuously having sex on the same spot of a ledge of a building across the way. I doubt anyone else noticed them, but we're definitely more tuned into pigeons now.

[Baker]

Good to have you back! Do you have a cast or something on your shoulder?

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Baker

Good to have you back! Do you have a cast or something on your shoulder?

Thanks. No, my arm is in a sling. I've gone from not being able to use it at all on Thursday to using it more than I should today (Saturday) and so having it hurting now tonight. Have lots of pills to take for the next month or so.

[Siam Sam]

Just a little update. Sammy and Pepper are 13 and 11 days old today (Tuesday), respectively. I've taken a few photos, but my freshly operated-on shoulder has prevented me from taking very many. They don't look all that different from photos of the other batches anyway, although this new set is starting to get a few feathers, and we don't think there'll be any white this time, just some gray. We'll see.

They can stand briefly. Sammy especially seems curious about what's around him. Pepper just likes to sleep. Will take some fresh photos once they start getting a more distinctive look.

Little Pidgee has reached the stage where she just perches nearby on a balcony rail at night instead of staying in the box with the squabs. This means more shit to clean up. But the good news is that with my shoulder in recovery, the wife will have to get out there and clean it up.

[Siam Sam]

Another small update. Little Pidgee is out there now wandering around, but not getting too close to the squabs. We've seen this before. She seems to be trying to entice the squabs to come to her, much as humans try to get their babies to stand up and take their first steps. The squabs keep raising up for Mama, and she's just sort of staring at them. She's not being mean, she fed them earlier; I'm sure she's trying to get teach to walk and leave the nest.

[Shayna]

They sound adorable! Hope your shoulder heals soon!

[Siam Sam]

12 and 14 days old today (Wednesday). They're looking more like they'll both be different shades of gray. No white in this batch apparently. Will try to post new photos in a few days.

[Siam Sam]

The squabs are 16 and 18 days old today (Sunday). They're going to be really pretty birds, too. The markings are coming out much more clearly. We've extended Sammy and Pepper's names a little, to Fat Sammy and Evil Little Pepper. All of the squabs have gone through a "heavy" stage during which they bulk up a bit, but Sammy really got hefty. We've also noticed that squabs will go through a minor "snapping stage" around two weeks that lasts for maybe a week. Go outside and they'll stand up and sort of snap at you while remaining in place. We still haven't decided if they're trying to defend themselves or grab for food; it looks like they're being aggressive, but then we notice they do it to the parent, too, if it's not quickly forthcoming with food, like they're desperate to be fed. Whichever it is, little Pepper really made a show of it, so we dubbed her Evil Little Pepper, but now at 16 and 18 days, they've pretty much stopped that.

With my shoulder still recuperating, the wife gave the balcony a good cleaning today, while I ran buckets of water for her and handed her suplies. The shit was realy piling up out there. It had been clean for so long, then Bam! The squabs became old enough to stick their butts over the side and take a crap. I helped move the flower box to the other side of the balcony, and the poor squabs seemed convinced that this was it, their time was up. The poor little guys always look sort of freaked out when we move the box for cleaing, especially the first time we do it to them. These two held up okay, though. We even petted them a little, although that seemed only to convince them further that their time had come.

Here are some new photos:

First, here is one of Sammy, left, and Pepper, 9 and 7 days old, respectively.

This one is two days later, with Big Pidgee, the father, and the two squabs, aged 9 and 11 days.

Here they are the next day, Sammy, 12 days, in the rear and Pepper, 10 days. You can tell that Sammy's starting to put on some weight now.

The rest of these were all taken today, during and right after the balcony cleaning. Again, today Pepper is 16 days old and Sammy 18 days. They still have a lot of their yellow baby fuzz sticking out in odd ways, but their markings are becoming clearer. This one gets up close and personal with Sammy.

Here is Sammy in front, with Pepper hiding behind big brother. For much of the cleaning, Pepper kept her head stuck underneath Sammy afraid to look.

This one shows their markings really well. That's Sammy on the right; he's developing a really funky dark pattern on gray. Pepper is taking after her mother, showing almost all gray with a single dark band cutting across the wings.

And now here they are moved back to their usual spot. Sammy on the left and sort of in front, Pepper on the right.

And they switched for this shot. That's Pepper in front now and Sammy behind.

And of course, you can see all of the photos for this third batch of squabs on one page here.

[Shayna]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

. . . Fat Sammy and Evil Little Pepper.

LOL! They are so CUTE with that yellow fuzzy stuff sticking out!

[Siam Sam]

This pair seems to crap more than the others combined! We just cleaned the balcony yesterday, and now there's fresh shit everywhere today (Monday) just outside the flower box (they hang their butts over the edge and let fire). Both of them will walk around the inside the box now and stand for long periods, but they've not yet taken the big step of hopping out of the nest for a walkabout. That doesn't seem to come until at last 3 weeks, and they're 17 and 19 days old today, so maybe in a few days. The mother leaves them alone at night now and stays somewhere else.

The parents really seem to appreciate the water we leave out for them. They're always taking long drinks upon arrival.

[Siam Sam]

This morning (Sunday morning), at age 25 days, Sammy took his first hop out of the flower box. About time, too, as he's almost adult size. Fat Sammy. He'd been perching on the edge occasionally for a few days now but couldn't quite make himself shove off into the world until now. He had a little look around that end of the balcony and discovered the water dish. It's always great when they discover water for the first time. He seemed appropriately amazed, taking in a big drink then splashing around inside the bowl. Pepper, 23 days old now, was also amazed. She was not sure what the hell big brother was up to. Sammy returned to the box after his little adventure and is resting now.

It's time for another cleaning today. Will have to take more photos. Sammy's the biggest squab we've had so far.

[Shayna]

They are really entertaining!

[Siam Sam]

Sammy's ventured out a couple of times now this morning, and Pepper really freaks out when he goes, seems absolutely shocked. She won't leave the box yet herself and is visibly relieved when Sammy returns, helping him preen his feathers.

[Baker]

You know, for the next set of squabs you really need to have a naming contest. I could bribe with cookies, but I don't know how long they'd take to get there!

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Baker

You know, for the next set of squabs you really need to have a naming contest. I could bribe with cookies, but I don't know how long they'd take to get there!

Well, to tell you the truth, I think we've settled on Marty and Katie for the next batch, but let me know what type of cookies we're talking about, and maybe we can work it out for the one after.

I hope there will be a next batch. Big Pidgee was oddly absent today (still Sunday here). We were home all day and did not see him, which is unusual. Only Little Pidgee. Hopefully, he just snuck in and out when we weren't looking and has not been eaten by a cat or something.

But it was a day of high drama for the squabs, especially Sammy. As I mentioned earlier, he started leaving the flower box and discovered water. He splashing around in the water dish some and even did the "synchronized swimming" bit that Manny in the previous batch would do, lying on one side with the opposite wing stuck up in the air.

Then there was the balcony cleaning. My shoulder's still a bit off, so it was mostly the wife again this time. I moved the flower box over to the other side of the balcony, and Sammy hopped out. He's not quite "friendly" with us, still wary but somewhat less wary than some of the other squabs. He wandered over a couple of times to see what we were doing. Does not like to be petted, though. Pepper, who at 23 days is two days behind her big brother, kept stretching her neck out over the rim and finally got up the nerve to hop down herself. But then when she wanted back in the box, she couldn't get back in, couldn't quite hop back up even flapping her wings. I finally had to scoop her up and set her down inside it! She didn't like being picked up, but she liked being back in the box.

Getting on toward dark, Little Pidgee stopped by for a feeding. Sammy hopped out and ran to her and so got fed on the spot, but Pepper didn't want to leave the box again. Kept squealing for Mama, but Mama left right after feeding Sammy! She returned a short time later but got spooked by something and took off immediately. (The parents stay elsewhere at night now.) So Sammy got fed, had a dip in the "pool", then hopped back into the flower box for a snooze, leaving little Pepper whining pitifully. The wife felt so sorry for her that she broke our rule -- the rule she herself set -- of not feeding them. We give them water, but there's abundant food resources for birds in our neighborhood, so we let them find their own meals. But the wife ground up some cracker crumbs, and I set them in the box by Pepper, who promptly ignored them, just like Snowy in the first batch did the one time I tried it with her. Now we'll probably have more ants.

I took some more photos today, but I've tried uploading them to the website twice, and a glitch occurs each time. I'll try again in the morning.

[levdrakon]

Pepper doesn't know about dry food yet. You could try wetting the crumbs with water first, but if pepper isn't ready to eat found food yet, there may be no point.

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by levdrakon

Pepper doesn't know about dry food yet. You could try wetting the crumbs with water first, but if pepper isn't ready to eat found food yet, there may be no point.

The squabs have been pecking around in the dirt in their box for a few days now looking for little bits. And this morning (Monday morning), it looks like most of the crumbs have been eaten by someone, so that's good. Although maybe by a parent?

And good news! Big Pidgee stopped by for a feeding today, so he's alive and well. In fact, he's out there right now as I'm typing this, and the squabs are squealing up a storm.

Also, Pepper has been getting in and out of the box on her own this morning. I think she was just a little too stressed yesterday what with everything going on.

The photos are uploaded now, and here they are below. All of these were taken yesterday afternoon (Sunday afternoon) at ages 25 days (Sammy) and 23 days (Pepper).

In this one, I've just moved the box over to the other side, and Sammy has hopped out (knocking that little piece of crap on the floor off of the edge in the process.)

Here, Pepper is contemplating following her brother. Pepper is looking a lot like Little Pidgee, the mother, despite the yellow baby fuzz still clinging to her head.

This one shows Sammy's markings well. He's really turning into a pretty bird. And you can see a little iridescence on the neck now.

And Pepper did it! Here they both are out of the box. I had to assist Pepper when she wanted back in later.

And cleaning done, here they with their box back in the normal spot, Sammy on the left and Pepper on the right, both necks looking a little iridescent. And one more here.

Those were all yesterday. It's Monday here now, and the squabs are 24 and 26 days old today.

Man, I wish there were some way we could teach them to hang their butts over the edge of the balcony and crap out in that direction.

[Siam Sam]

Saturday morning, and the squabs are 29 and 31 days old. They're doing little practice flights across short stretches of our balcony, sort of just becoming airborne. And they can get up into the dirt of the potted tree that we call their "living room."

They keep looking out now over the bottom ledge of the balcony. Pepper hopped up onto it but had to flap her wings to keep from falling back onto this side. I hope she doesn't fall off the other side!

[Siam Sam]

Sunday and the squabs are 30 and 32 days old now. I believe the last batch left home at ages 39 and 41 days, so we may not have these much longer. They've grown big, almost adult size. And I swear these two -- and the wife agrees with me -- these two crap MUCH more than either of the first two batches.

We did a really thorough balcony cleaning today. Sammy and Pepper both sat on the lower ledge of the balcony. That's where Sammy has often started to hang out anyway, sort of tucked snugly underneath the lowest rail. Took some photos and will post in the next few days. We were a little worried, because the squabs had not advanced much beyond practice hoverings a couple of inches in the air while flapping their wings or little short flights forward, so we were worried they might become startled and fall off, but no. Actually, at one point Sammy DID go off the edge, intentionally or not I don't know, but he did manage to fly a bit in place and then return to the balcony. Way to go, Sammy!

[Siam Sam]

Tuesday, the squabs are now 32 and 34 days old, and they've been making their first real flights to somewhere today. This morning, Sammy flew up to the balcony above, then returned. Later, Big Pidgee appeared over on the nearby window frames and seemed to be trying to entice them over. Sammy was suddenly gone, but he didn't fly over to father. Returned later. I didn't see him leave or return that time, so he must be making a tour of the neighbors' balconies. Then while Sammy was gone, Pepper flew over to the nearest frame -- but not all the way to father, who was farther away -- our dining-area window and stood there squealing like a baby. That was Pepper's only flight I saw, but Sammy's been flying back and forth. Pepper is two days younger than Sammy, so seeing big brother fly must be prompting her; she may need to get used to it a little more.

Both parents are out on the window frames now, and the squabs are wandering around the balcony and staring out at the world.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

I'm still enjoying your updates, Sam.

[Siam Sam]

Thanks. But the squabs have been gone all morning today (Wednesday). The wife left home at about 6:20 this morning and told me before leaving that they weren't out there, so they must have flown off at first light. I got up at 9:00, and they were still not there, but Big Pidgee was. He stared at me accusingly. I told him "Hey! We haven't done anything with them." I hope they're enjoying their adventure and not being eaten by a cat.

I'll sort out the latest photos and post them in the next day or so.

EDIT: Just as I hit Submit, Big Pidgee returned. He seems a bit concerned about where the kids went off to. I guess much of parenting is the same no matter the species.

[Siam Sam]

Well this is really sad. Big Pidgee has been hanging about on the balcony for an hour and a half now. Waiting around mostly in the flower box, and I can see his throat moving. That means he's making his cooing noises. Must be trying to call the squabs to him.

I hope they return soon.

[Shayna]

Awwww, I hope they come home. I'll be saying a pidgee prayer for them (and you).

[levdrakon]

Time to make more kids!

[Baker]

Where's Little Pidgee?

[Siam Sam]

All is well. They've both returned. But only Sammy returned yesterday; Pepper spent the night elsewhere.

I left yesterday (Wednesday) about 1pm and still no squabs. Big Pidgee had given up and left. The wife came home about 7pm, and Sammy was out there. She said he seemed surprised or uneasy about being alone. I hope he saw his father!

This morning, Sammy left at daybreak again. Again, Big Pidgee showed up about 9am looking for the squabs. I went to take a shower and start the day, and when I came out, Big Pidgee's gone, but both squabs are back! Pepper is actually soaking in the water dish. Not taking a bath, just lying in it soaking. It's shallow, so the water comes up only to her breast when she hunkers down in it. She soaked for quite awhile, then hopped out. They're both out there sleeping now. I hope Big Pidgee finally saw them at some point! They'll soon be gone for real, but 33 and 35 days (their ages on Wednesday) is a little too early, so we're glad to see them back.

Haven't seen Little Pidgee for a couple of days, but that's not unusual. I'm often not around in the late afternoon, and that's the time she usually makes an appearance now.

Have uploaded photos to the computer. Now must select and upload to the website. Hopefully I can get that done this morning.

[Siam Sam]

Originally Posted by Baker

Where's Little Pidgee?

And the whole family is out there now! Both parents and both squabs.

[FloatyGimpy]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

All is well. They've both returned.

Yay!

[Siam Sam]

Going on midnight now, Thursday night, as I write this, and I'm kicking back with some Thai rum and Coke. No pidgees outside, though. The wife said she came home this evening, and only Big Pidgee was here, and once again he seemed to be wondering where the squabs were. Kids! But I'm not concerned now. It's always a bit worrisome the first time they leave, but if they've left and come back and then up and leave again, well, this time they know the score. The other squabs seemed to hang around until the parents acted tired of them and like they wanted them to leave! 34 and 36 days old now.

New photos! Got them uploaded.

Monday, October 13
This is a good one of Sammy stretching. This was before either of them started flying, but squabs like to stretch their wings a lot. No, Sammy is not missing a leg. That gets stretched out, too, and the wing is hiding it. Pepper and Sammy are 24 and 26 days here.

Sunday, October 19
Here is one of Sammy, age 32 days, in his new favorite spot: on top of the ledge on the right side of the balcony snug underneath the bottom rail. And another.

Here are Sammy and Pepper, 32 and 30 days, watching the world go by about the middle of the balcony. And here they are on the far left of the balcony, six stories high.

Monday, October 20
The day after we scrubbed down the balcony real good, Sammy and Pepper are accusing each other of laying one down in the corner here. They're 33 and 31 days old here.

And back under the rail here. This became Sammy's favorite spot there on the right, but Pepper could take it or leave it.

This shows Sammy's markings pretty well. Note just the tiniest vestige of yellow baby fuzz on both.

Tuesday, October 21
I love these two photos. The squabs look really cute. This one, shows them both snoozing. And just a minute or two later here, Sammy has woken up, but Pepper is in a deep, peaceful sleep. They're 34 and 32 days old here, and this is the day before they flew off for an extended period the first time.

And again, the whole page for Sammy and Pepper can be seen here.

[Shayna]

I'm so glad they came home! And they are awfully cute.