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I didn’t think I’d ever be a dad, but I kind of feel like one these days! Back in March, a pigeon couple laid two eggs in an empty flower pot on my balcony, and since it is illegal to move or destroy nests with eggs or chicks in them, I had to temporarily give up my balcony to them.
The babies grew up fairly quickly, and the parents left the nest a few weeks ago, returning once in a while to feed their kids (who cry and cry for food at all hours). These days, the babies no longer have their scraggly yellow hair and instead look pretty much like adult pigeons.
About two weeks ago, they started hopping out of the flower pot nest and walking around on the balcony, creating a horrible mess! So, last week, I decided to get rid of the flower pot to encourage them to leave the balcony sooner.
Since then, they have been practicing flying, first just flapping their wings, then hopping and flapping, and now they’re able to fly short distances on the balcony. Sometimes the parents come back to encourage them to try flying, as they tend to be a bit lazy when they’re left alone. I enjoy seeing their progress, just like watching a human kid learn to walk. Yesterday, it was raining and the balcony railing was quite wet, so the babies kept slipping. I was honestly a little worried that they might fall down (from the 16th floor!), but they were OK.
Unfortunately, they have started getting up on my balcony furniture and making a mess there, too, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time cleaning already. Although the parents are shy and fly away quickly when I open the balcony door, the babies don’t seem to mind me, and they hang around and watch curiously when I’m cleaning. I guess they’re kind of cute.
I’m just glad that my neighbour has been away for a couple of months, so she hasn’t had to deal with the noise. Unfortunately, now that the babies can fly up to the railing and walk along it to reach my neighbour’s balcony, she may have a mess to deal with when she comes back, too!
Overall, it has been an interesting experience, but I think once in my life is enough. I hope they find a new place to nest next year!
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