One of the things that stand out vividly in my memory of my childhood holidays was feeding the pigeons in Durban with my grandmother. She used to collect all the breadcrumbs and crusts for days before we arrived and then take us out to the beachfront to go and feed the doves. I used to love standing still while they flock around me picking at the bread crumbs. I would squeal with delight every time one landed on my hand clutching at my fingers with their pink claws.
After emptying our stash of bread crumbs we would run through the pack of doves scattering them and chasing them to the next feeding spot.
I didn’t have any breadcrumbs with me but bought a packet of peanuts which the doves seemed to love just as much. Feeding the pigeons while trying to capture them on camera was quite a task but I do think that in the end I got a couple of good shots of them. It still freaks me out a bit every time they sit on my hand clutching onto my fingers and I couldn’t wait to wash my hands afterwards but it was so much fun.
Feral pigeons are often considered a pest or even vermin, owing to concerns that they spread disease although it is rare that a pigeon will transmit a disease to humans due to their immune system. Even if this is true I don’t want to take any chances so immediately washed my hands with hand-sanitizer.
These are what people call city pigeons, or street pigeons, as they were originally domestic pigeons that have returned to the ” wild”. They have now taken over the ledges of our cities and become pests, almost rodents in their own way. It is said that pigeons find the ledges of buildings to be a substitute for sea cliffs as they were originally bred from the wild rock dove, which naturally inhabits sea-cliffs and mountains.
What really surprised me was that pigeons mate for life, something I thought was quite rare in bird species. Especially because mass nesting is common as pigeons are a community flocking bird.
It is said that pigeons breed when the food supply is abundant enough to support embryonic egg development, which in cities can be any time of the year. Laying of eggs can take place up to six times per year so they multiply almost as quickly as rabbits. I haven’t seen any pigeon nests around but there is definitely not a shortage of pigeons in Cape Town.
Janaline's world journey 
Truly amazing captures of these pigeons!
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Thanks Amy!! I had loads of fun trying to capture them on film as they are quite fast and most photos were blurry….
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Gotta admit I’m not a pigeon fan – my friends in NYC call them rats with wings. But I love that photo in “Just passing by” – quite a stunner!!
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Thank you, that is definitely my favourite capture as well Tina
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Those are hard to get photos yet you managed to do a great job!
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Thank you! These came out great but must admit there were a lot of blurry photos and it took a while to get these lovely shots.
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something about a bird in hand being better than two in the bush! You take it literally.
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Always trying to prove that these sayings can go both ways….its so much fun!
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These are some amazing captures of the action Janaline. Talk about multi-tasking! I cant believe how tame the pigeons are. I would be with you on the hand sanitizer. 🙂
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Thanks Sue! They actually come and land on your hand if you hold it out just to have a look if there is anything to eat…they are so used to people feeding them. But yes, immediately washed my hands after this photo session.
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Don’t try this in Trafalgar Square – Ken Livingston banned the feeding of ‘Rats with Wings’ and it is Ill Eagle to do it 😦 You’re welcome to feed them in my garden though – the Tits and Robins do! 😉 Great images of a human / animal pleasure denied us.
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I understand that in a sense they are pests but it is so much fun to feed them…..sad that it is illegal in London.
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What a great series of photos. Interesting facts, too.
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Thank you! Had so much fun trying to capture them on film
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Great series of photos ~ the third shot is tremendous, the crisp glint in the pigeons eye along with the blur of its wings, fun! Enjoy the weekend! Cheers,
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Thank you!! That is definitely my favourite capture of the day!
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It actually makes me a bit sad that people aren’t allowed to feed the pigeons in London anymore 😦 Now that we have a number of nesting peregrines in the City I rather feel that children and tourists should be allowed to feed the pigeons again!
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Wow, I didnt know you were not allowed to feed them anymore, that is quite sad as it is such an enjoyable activity. And the poor little dudes dont know they are pests….
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I think it’s partly to do with the damage their dropping were causing to the monuments in Trafalgar Square and other places where they were being fed. It is sad though! They could just create new jobs for monument cleaners 🙂
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Ok, I’m one of the guilty ones who look at pigeons with a bit of fear or disdain because of the “ick” factor that city life has imposed on them, but your photos and text have really helped me see them in a new light. They look quite beautiful and peaceful in your pictures, especially the one that shows the glorious wingspan. Thanks for changing my perspective.
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You are very welcome! Although I love feeding them I still get that ick factor everytime one lands on my hand, but I am slowly getting over it.
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…two’pence a day; )
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Looks fun! You took nice picture too, the fourth is my favorite.
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It was a lovely day and that happens to be my favourite one as well!
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