Feral pigeon 'flocking' behaviour - why do they do this? (4 Viewers)

[sammyboy]

When out 'backyard birding', I notice that usually at certain times a lot/all of the local feral pigeons will fly around in one largeish group, typically between about 12 and 40 birds. They seem to do this usually around lunchtime and late afternoon - why do they do this? Are they feeding, protection from a predator, or just some sort of social gathering?

They appear to fly around a similar patch of sky, no particular pattern and will do this almost every day.

 

[DaveN]

When out 'backyard birding', I notice that usually at certain times a lot/all of the local feral pigeons will fly around in one largeish group, typically between about 12 and 40 birds. They seem to do this usually around lunchtime and late afternoon - why do they do this? Are they feeding, protection from a predator, or just some sort of social gathering?

They appear to fly around a similar patch of sky, no particular pattern and will do this almost every day.

Maybe they are someones racing pigeons which have been let out.

 

[ChrisKten]

When out 'backyard birding', I notice that usually at certain times a lot/all of the local feral pigeons will fly around in one largeish group, typically between about 12 and 40 birds. They seem to do this usually around lunchtime and late afternoon - why do they do this? Are they feeding, protection from a predator, or just some sort of social gathering?

They appear to fly around a similar patch of sky, no particular pattern and will do this almost every day.

There are at least 40 Pigeons in my garden (amongst other birds, I won't list them as it's not relevant to your question) that I've fed for a few years. I've studied them quite closely (I like Pigeons) and can answer your question based only on what I've seen.

The Pigeons roost elsewhere, and not all are from the same roost. They turn up in small groups, during early morning. By 7 am, when I fill the feeders and change the water in the bird baths, most of the 40 odd have arrived. Throughout the day they will split into groups again. These groups will fly off to get food elsewhere for a while, and return later. That's how it is every day.

If, say, a Helicopter (Pigeons don't like the noise) flies over, all of the 40 odd will fly off together. They act as a flock and basically just fly in a circle and return. How large the circle is depends on how scared they were.

So if I look up I see what appears to be a large flock of Pigeons, when in fact it's a number of groups that were just feeding in the same place and got spooked.

You may be seeing something similar, except that they are spooked by something at a similar time each day (a window opened, washing being hung out, a train hooter, etc).

Just a guess, and totally unscientific.

EDIT: or Dave may be right.|=)|

 

[sammyboy]

Thanks for your replies Dave and Chris!

I don't think they're racing pigeons, will observe them more and see if I can see any tags on them at all.

Just seemed odd that they did it at certain times - though we are reasonably near to a main line that goes to London and another regional line so we get a fair amount of trains going by, also not too far from a dual carriageway so traffic on there might spook them.

It does seem as well the individual pigeons will leave/join the group as it flies around too with seemingly no pattern to this.

 

[ChrisKten]

Thanks for your replies Dave and Chris!

I don't think they're racing pigeons, will observe them more and see if I can see any tags on them at all.

Just seemed odd that they did it at certain times - though we are reasonably near to a main line that goes to London and another regional line so we get a fair amount of trains going by, also not too far from a dual carriageway so traffic on there might spook them.

It does seem as well the individual pigeons will leave/join the group as it flies around too with seemingly no pattern to this.

If you are like me, you won't be happy until you find out what is happening, and why.

I'd start with the assumption they were feeding, or in an area where they get fed, and that they were spooked. I suppose I'd sort of follow the circle they fly in. Maybe look for a Park, School Playing Field, something like that. Find where they were, and you can wait there and find out what spooks them.

At least that's what I would do, then I could stop thinking about it and sleep at night. Yes, it really would stick in my head until I'd worked it out.|=)|

 

[sammyboy]

I'll keep my eye on them, see if I can spot any patterns or anything spooks the pigeons. Not sure I'd take it to your lengths but will try investigating further as I'd love to know why all these pigeons behave like this!

Will keep my binoculars on standby lol