We are beginning to win the Pigeon War. Maybe. I think. Could be...
I wrote before about how Art's sling shot ice pellets were startling the pigeons away enough that they were now bedding down on the neighbor's roof. They only bed down there so they can fly over to our roof in the morning.
Art has been quite diligent with his slingshot and it's making a difference. He's been scientifically documenting how many pigeons are on the neighbor's roof every evening and morning.
It's a little darker now since it's winter but there were recently only 3 or 4 pigeons on the roof that we could see.
The somewhat frustrating thing for Art is that the pigeons now recognize him (and our car). They know when we leave the house.
When I see reconnaissance pigeons heading to our roof and hear the bump when they land, I alert Art. (You wouldn't guess they had such big, heavy feet.) He goes out and they don't even allow him to load his ice pellets before they fly off knowing what's coming. The pigeon scouts will then go back to his/her flock and let the others know that it's not the opportune moment now to fly to our roof. 🙄
I saw a photo in the newspaper about a fellow in Waikiki who was going to the park to feed the pigeons and they were swarming all over him. He said the pigeons recognize him now and fly over when they see him.
Why is he feeding the pigeons? Arrrghhh!!!
We haven't won the Pigeon War yet. The pigeons have not surrendered. But then, neither has Art.
POSTSCRIPT: We just saw a show about Woodpeckers on PBS and learned that those birds are able to recognize another woodpecker intruder to their area even though they look exactly the same! So... really... what makes you think the pigeons can't tell cars or people apart?
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ReplyDeleteI wonder which ones will win this war...Art or the pigeons?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Art could build a scarecrow resembling himself.
ReplyDeleteAlso, maybe feeding pigeons in the park may be a great way to keep them there. Maybe Art could feed pigeons somewhere near but away form your house. 🥸🤓
What a constant war this has been for you and Art. Just think of when you finally win the war how many free hours will be put back in your day. Maybe a hologram of Art??
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard at "reconnaissance pigeons". Happy Holidays to you, Art and your mama.
ReplyDelete"Clapping" that the pigeon war is being won by Art.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't won the war, it looks close to it! Maybe a laminated cut-out of Art up there would finish the job :^) Kay, if we dont talk again, Merry Christmas to you & Art (and your mom)
ReplyDeleteMany birds can ID human faces. There was a study of crows where the researchers had to wear masks to avoid the crows attacking. Would a rag soaked in ammonia and place up there work?
ReplyDeleteI like John's idea of the scarecrow but birds are way smarter than we give them credit for. It probably wouldn't fool them. I'm glad that progress has been made though!
ReplyDeleteI think birds/animals are a lot smarter than people give them credit for (or course not ALL animals... there are dumb ones and smart ones - just like people) But they learn - so possibly they are learning that your roof is not a good place. Let's hope so.
ReplyDeleteYour war is so enjoyable! Maybe Art has to do something with the neighbor so they move out of your neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteActually, my 102 year old friend loved to feed the birds at Ala Moana Beach and Kaimana Beach when we would go swimming (actually she would swim and I would hide from the sun on the sand).
I hope this war doesn't escalate into World War III.
ReplyDeleteOh, I believe you that they have you and Art all figured out. I am curious, though, about what makes your roof so attractive, more so that any of the neighbors?
ReplyDeleteThey keep hoping there's a way to get under our solar panels. Plus, our roof has a good view of the surrounding area and some neighbors who are probably feeding them.
DeleteAmazed by their intelligence
ReplyDeletecheck out the internet to see what controls are available.
ReplyDeleteYes, we did look at what companies had to offer. This is why we had critter guards installed around the solar panels as well as netting on top which was 'supposed' to make it uncomfortable for them to walk on. Nope. The birds didn't care. However, when we looked at the neighbor's roof the last couple of days, there were no pigeons. They still send their winged reconnaissance team out every so many hours to land on our roof and see if Art will do anything, but it's been pretty quiet lately. Fingers crossed.
DeleteWe underestimate the intelligence of other forms of life on a routine basis.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Red. Check for more deterrents.
ReplyDeleteYou may have seen those spikey things that are installed on window ledges and openings of some buildings to keep the birds off of the ledges and/or building nests. Sounds bizarre, but you could cover your roof with those vertical spikes. At least you won't have snow that would be stuck around them. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteBirds are clever.
ReplyDeleteWe had pigeons like that on our roof in Colorado. It was a never ending battle to get the out. We finally put bottle brushes in the drains where they liked to build their nests. It helped a lot.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I don't doubt for a minute that they can recognize you, Art and the car too. MY husband would say that this is a divine sign that he needs to get a different car. (He gets a LOT of these divine signs, really.)
ReplyDeleteHow did he know Art has been eyeing up the new Prius since our present Prius is about 12 years old?
DeleteI can't help but laugh. The apartment complex across from me have tried putting a large owl statue on the roof to scare away the birds. That only worked for a while. Now they have toys on each end that spin and make a little noise. That worked a little as well.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, this has gone on for quite sometime now.
ReplyDeleteI'm cheering Art on ...
All the best Jan
What a pain they must be. We had eight deer in our yard this morning. A whole different kettle of fish!
ReplyDelete