sandeyeAn extract from the first draft of my next book
August 10th 2007 19:02
Even before we had show pigeons and fed the birds seed on a regular basis, both crested pigeons and turtle doves used our yard as their territory. Once we began to put out seed, they began to learn at what time this food source was placed outdoors and congregate accordingly.
Although numbers started at four or five crested pigeons and a half dozen speckled turtle doves, the number grew to a dozen of the former and at least two dozen of the latter for a couple of years, before declining slightly to result in our currently only having two or three crested pigeons and a half dozen or so doves.
I had never seen anything such as a crested pigeon before moving to the Illawarra. Having them come up to our very doorstep, eat seeds directly outside, and once or twice follow a tame pigeon into the entryway was a great delight. It is sad to think that so many units do not have a back door opening onto a yard for such encounters to happen.
I had seen turtle doves before, but I had never gotten up close and personal with the species. They had always been at a distance and they would inevitably fly away if I went closer. Many of these doves sit on our fence, in the poinsettia branches, or peck about the lawns and rarely does an hour pass without me spotting at least a couple somewhere in the back yard. One specific turtle dove grew very bold, hopped on the doorstep, and snuck seeds whilst the pigeons were just starting their meals. Although I could not tell him apart from the others with my ears, he had a distinctive toe lackage, having just two front toes instead of three on one foot. We therefore named it Two-Toe. He is quite a character, and chases the girl-doves frequently. Just looking out of the kitchen window now, I spot a pair nestling each other, resting upon the poinsettia, and 3 more dotted along the fence top.
Although numbers started at four or five crested pigeons and a half dozen speckled turtle doves, the number grew to a dozen of the former and at least two dozen of the latter for a couple of years, before declining slightly to result in our currently only having two or three crested pigeons and a half dozen or so doves.
I had seen turtle doves before, but I had never gotten up close and personal with the species. They had always been at a distance and they would inevitably fly away if I went closer. Many of these doves sit on our fence, in the poinsettia branches, or peck about the lawns and rarely does an hour pass without me spotting at least a couple somewhere in the back yard. One specific turtle dove grew very bold, hopped on the doorstep, and snuck seeds whilst the pigeons were just starting their meals. Although I could not tell him apart from the others with my ears, he had a distinctive toe lackage, having just two front toes instead of three on one foot. We therefore named it Two-Toe. He is quite a character, and chases the girl-doves frequently. Just looking out of the kitchen window now, I spot a pair nestling each other, resting upon the poinsettia, and 3 more dotted along the fence top.
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