London Pigeons; a ten year study
November 6, 2013 12:21 PM Subscribe
A website by Luke Taylor has all you ever needed to know about the London pigeon.
It doesn't seem to include the gruesome bit where they get et by pelicans in St. James's park. That's probably for the best.
posted by gohabsgo at 12:28 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by gohabsgo at 12:28 PM on November 6, 2013
YEAH I was gonna link that video and then decided not to because UN-UNSEEABLE HORRORS.
posted by elizardbits at 12:30 PM on November 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 12:30 PM on November 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
What are birds
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:42 PM on November 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:42 PM on November 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
Birds of Britain
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:51 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:51 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
11 Leg (note that the foot is obscured by grass)
I take issue with this caption. It should be "note that the foot has gone wherever pigeon feet go to, leaving the leg as a hideous stump."
posted by ambrosen at 1:35 PM on November 6, 2013
I take issue with this caption. It should be "note that the foot has gone wherever pigeon feet go to, leaving the leg as a hideous stump."
posted by ambrosen at 1:35 PM on November 6, 2013
Wait, pelicans eat pigeons? I had no idea. Fascinating.
Unless you are pulling my leg in which case I hate you.
posted by rtha at 2:21 PM on November 6, 2013
Unless you are pulling my leg in which case I hate you.
posted by rtha at 2:21 PM on November 6, 2013
I mentioned in another thread that I have seen otters eat pelicans, many many pelicans, so seeing pelicans eat pigeons would be unseeable but not a horror.
posted by rtha at 2:23 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by rtha at 2:23 PM on November 6, 2013
WOW COOL is not the appropriate reaction! the appropriate reaction is RUN and SCREAM and CRY.
posted by elizardbits at 2:39 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 2:39 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
How much of this webpage is rooted in facts? I get less certain by the paragraph.
Also, misses to explain why pigeons constantly bop their heads. I've heard a few theories (and prefer the "depth vision through parallax" explanation) but never quite know who to trust.
posted by bigendian at 2:42 PM on November 6, 2013
Also, misses to explain why pigeons constantly bop their heads. I've heard a few theories (and prefer the "depth vision through parallax" explanation) but never quite know who to trust.
posted by bigendian at 2:42 PM on November 6, 2013
This otherwise comprehensive and rigorous study has neglected to address the London pigeons' prodigious production of poo.
posted by islander at 3:08 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by islander at 3:08 PM on November 6, 2013
That sounds like something a SECRET PELICAN INFILTRATOR would say
posted by elizardbits at 3:50 PM on November 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 3:50 PM on November 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
came for the baby pigeon discussion, left satisfied:
My hypothesis is that pigeons come about when pigeon love is mixed with a bit of grime, guano and feathers.
seems legit!
posted by jetlagaddict at 4:57 PM on November 6, 2013
My hypothesis is that pigeons come about when pigeon love is mixed with a bit of grime, guano and feathers.
seems legit!
posted by jetlagaddict at 4:57 PM on November 6, 2013
biffa: I only need to know one thing: where they are.
In London.
You're welcome. Really - no trouble at all.
posted by IAmBroom at 6:38 PM on November 6, 2013
In London.
You're welcome. Really - no trouble at all.
posted by IAmBroom at 6:38 PM on November 6, 2013
bigendian: Also, misses to explain why pigeons constantly bop their heads. I've heard a few theories (and prefer the "depth vision through parallax" explanation) but never quite know who to trust.
The Straight Dope covered this; IIRC it was a guest column. Basically, it has to do with pulling their CoG forward to take a step, just like humans swinging their arms as they walk. Pigeon balance is rather more precarious than ours, though, and their feet less well muscled, so they have to resort to a larger movement than we do (and, of course, we don't *have* to do it, but it's quite natural to do so).
The proof is in the fact that pigeons walking down a roof slope don't bob their heads, because they don't need to - as soon as they lift a foot, the CoG shifts forward.
posted by IAmBroom at 6:42 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
The Straight Dope covered this; IIRC it was a guest column. Basically, it has to do with pulling their CoG forward to take a step, just like humans swinging their arms as they walk. Pigeon balance is rather more precarious than ours, though, and their feet less well muscled, so they have to resort to a larger movement than we do (and, of course, we don't *have* to do it, but it's quite natural to do so).
The proof is in the fact that pigeons walking down a roof slope don't bob their heads, because they don't need to - as soon as they lift a foot, the CoG shifts forward.
posted by IAmBroom at 6:42 PM on November 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
biffa: I only need to know one thing: where they are.
In London.
You're welcome. Really - no trouble at all.
I can't decide whether this response should be read in the voice of Paul Reiser or Apone. Either way it kind of works.
posted by eddydamascene at 8:00 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
In London.
You're welcome. Really - no trouble at all.
I can't decide whether this response should be read in the voice of Paul Reiser or Apone. Either way it kind of works.
posted by eddydamascene at 8:00 AM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
They don't look like ferals to me; rock doves aka rock pigeons are pale grey with two black wing bars. Escaped domestic pigeons are varied in color and do interbreed with their wild brethren, giving rise to all kinds of colors and patterns.
/bird nerdery
posted by rtha at 12:16 PM on November 7, 2013
/bird nerdery
posted by rtha at 12:16 PM on November 7, 2013
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