May 3, 2017

18 My New Buddies - The Pigeons

Never in my life did I foresee a time that I would be friends with a couple of pigeons.

On and off, I'd see birds visiting my little garden in the balcony. A loud chirp alerts me of their presence. Hubs and I decided that we should leave some food around for them. We started out with sunflower seeds. No success there. I was saddened but determined so I kept doing it.

This pigeon thing all started about a month ago after Hubs took me to a pet store in Taman Tun to see a talking Mynah bird. It had sparked something in us. Next thing I knew, we were walking to our car with a bag of premium bird seeds in hand.

Bird Food

I stopped putting sunflower seeds and started serving the newly purchased gourmet bird seeds. Nothing happened for three weeks until I saw it one evening - a pigeon eating the seeds. Peck, peck, peck, peck! A surge of happiness engulfed me. I was gushing all about it to hubs. Hubs was saying that it'll be bringing its buddies over soon.

His words came true as three flew in the next morning. I was thrilled! "Buddies!  " I thought to myself.

During the following days, I observed that two pigeons would faithfully pop in between 8am-9am. Just the two. I know that they're the same guys because one of them has feathers sticking out weirdly from the back of its neck - a bad hair day kind of thing. I wondered what happened to the third bird. It never came back.

These pics were taken behind a glass door because they fly away the moment they hear me opening it. Funnily, they don't mind it too much if I sit close to the glass to watch them eat as long as I don't move too much.

Pigeons, The City Dove

This Is Gaston

Today, I started leaving a bowl of water and chopped lettuce (this, after seeing Benji peck on the leaves of my chrysanthemum plant) in addition to the seeds. Gaston gave the lettuce a miss after analysing it from the edge of the container, bobbing his head here and there, probably going, " Veggies. Ugh! ". Benji tossed some out and swished it around with its beak.

I think the lettuce is a no go but I'll try again tomorrow for the sake of a balanced diet. I'm getting too involved, I know.

The water was a great idea. Both pigeons drank it.

At 4PM, as I type this, my two amigos popped in again. I am surprised. They took a sip of water. Benji headed to my mint plant and started pecking at it. It looks like Benji's with me on the balanced diet thing. Gaston, on the other hand, loves strutting his stuff on our balcony. He'd be bobbing his head, chest out and in between, rub his head against his wings. Show off!


First pics of Benji and the other birds who visit me.

Top-Left to Right : Benji , Javan Myna
Bottom Left to Right : A Small Brown Bird, Benji

Would you take a common pigeon for a pet? I didn't think I would but now I look forward to seeing and spoiling them daily. Haha that.

18 comments:

  1. I loved the video, Sharon! I love these birds. They are so sweet, peaceful and polite. And I love the name Gaston! So glad you shared this, thank you so much. Great photos, too! :)

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    1. You're welcome, Linda! ;) I love them too. They are quiet 'people' who cause no trouble and I find them so cute!

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  2. Interesting friends. Haha. Pigeons. They are lovely and not scared of human but you need to be careful with its poo. Poisoneous.

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    1. Thanks for the warning, Rose! I shall now ^.^

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  3. Don't think I will take pigeon for pet as no experience in taking care of it...

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    1. I have no experience either. So far, so good .. ^.^

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  4. A pigeon appeared in my garden few days ago. I think it couldn't fly because of a wounded wing. Have been feeding it with rice.

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    1. Aah.. you are so sweet to help, Nancy. God bless you! :)

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    1. I think so too, Angie. The cutest pair! ^.^

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  6. Balanced diet? Got such things for birds ka?
    Dunno why I find it funny :D

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    1. I dunno, Ez.... HAHAHAHA .. I'm doing this blindly!!

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  7. They are adorable but shit will be everywhere at the balcony.

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    1. So far, so good. I think my guys are toilet trained ...lol!!

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  8. Wow!! This is something new to me. I think the pigeons can remember and wanna be friends. I would welcome birds and cats that come to my place. I live just 2 streets from that pet shop you went. I must go and buy the seeds to rekindle my younger days. I used to feed fat pigeons in US when I was a student. Their pigeons were so big like hens. LOL

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    1. Haha...I believe you're right! The pigeons have good memory and they stick to their feeding time. As of today, it's still the same two buddies visiting me. ^.^ I'm always in Taman Tun for the chicken rice.

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  9. looks adorable
    I want a pet too but thinking of cleaning and clearing the pee and poo things, it will be tiring and troublesome. It takes lot responsibility.
    but I do like your way
    The birds fly away after full which one have no problem of cleaning the floor

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    1. I agree, Emily. It IS a big responsibility. I'm happy that these pigeons have a home of their own somewhere else. Haven't had to clean much so far. They rarely leave anything behind. ;)

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