instinct

[jimmy white]

another act of instinct is a pigeon never forgets,,they have a memory second to none i have had many aspects of this" memory"one of them a bird comming home after 6 years   [never timed it in ;D ;D ;D]but have heard of them comming home a lot later than that

[mealybar]

To pick up on Jimmy's point, I was thinking about the birds memory the other day. My youngsters only seen me a few times before because of being away, and rightly they were nervous of me, the stranger in the loft. Old ones in just the next section immediately remembered me, remembered their trapping whistle from last year, and remembered where the loft was when I took them for a toss the other day ;D

 

While in the stock loft - there is one pair of stock in each section of the loft -  it was amazing how differently the youngbirds being reared reacted to me going in to feed them. Even though both pairs are more or less the same age, one pair kept under the box hidden out of the way, and only came out to the feeder to pick about with mum and dad once I'd gone (they even looked up at the grill to see I'd definately gone!); and the other immediately came out when I went in and were quite happy to be played with and handled.

 

I think they pick up a vibe of behavour from their parents at a very early age, you will see a pair of youngsters in the nest either be aggressive towards you - you know how they stand up and 'click', or back away into a place for 'cover'.

[jimmy white]

another thing ive noticed if you take the young squabs away 5,6,7 day old, the pair are driving and nesting the next day, but take their mate away and theyll mope for a few days

[jimmy white]

just another point of instinct,,  is , say a three week old yb in a basket needing a drink, if the drinker is filled first and yb put in basket, ittl take a bit of time to find water,, but if you basket the thirsty yb , and it heres the" splash" of water being poured into drinker it will immediatly go for the water, ,,,,its never heard this "splash" b4 but it knows its water   :)

[ALF]

I GET THAT PROBLEM JIMMY GOING PAST THE PUB ;D ;D............LAGER .......IS THAT LAGER?? ;D ;D ;D

[Guest REDFOXKRAUTHS]

amazing

[Wiley]

interesting point jimmy made,and in a sense i used to do the splash theory,however i think maybe pigeons can smell water,I might be wrong but if you put a young bird that isnt basket trained into a basket with the drinker already on the basket that young bird will find that drinker in no time

[jimmy white]

;D ;D ;D ALFS GOT THE SPLASH THEORY TO A   T,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ennants ;D ;D ;D

[jimmy white]

Another amazing thing - young birds out on the ground  for the first time see a Kestrel and 'know' it's no threat. A Sparrowhawk flies over - same size, same profile, and they scatter!]

 

i have my african grey parrot strutting around with he birds outside, the pigeons have absolutely no fear,[and you should see the beak on it,,,,,,and me ;D ;D] but as p hen said when they see a sparrowhawk , their off,,,,and,,usualy  theres one less.

 

  

[jimmy white]

wonder why a pigeon allways wants to go in the bath ,,,when its raining :)

[THE FIFER]

Did i leave myself wide open to that one or what?

 

IT'S ALL DOWN TO INSTINCT CELTIC  :K) :K) :K) :K) :K) :K)