Pied Pigeons (and other colors)

Clearly, the Things are no worse for wear after the trauma of the hawk attack. (L = Thing Two; R = Thing One)

King Robert might have looked a bit sad while he was locked up with Gilly, but almost as soon as I freed them last week Robert went back and claimed the nest box as his own. Now I’m hoping that some recent flirting between Robert and Gilly indicates a mated relationship between the two.

King Robert does not like being stuck in his “chamber of love.” Most of the day he sits by the window, eager to be free. That said, today I thought maybe - just maybe - the body language between Robert and Gilly began warming up, so he’s gonna have to wait a couple days before I give them free reign of the loft.

We’re a little shaken tonight after a sustained hawk attack today. Normally it’s no big deal when the hawks come round because the loft is built to withstand critters of all varieties. But today’s attack happened when Thing One and Thing Two were flying loose out back and I had popped into the house.

I heard a loud crack! against the picture window and knew immediately that the Things were in trouble. Ran outside and chased away the hawk (for the moment). Thing Two was within reaching distance so I quickly gathered her inside the house. But I couldn’t find Thing One anywhere. I spent the next couple hours hoping that she was okay and would find her way back home. I kept patrolling the deck and back yard, looking for her and repeatedly chasing away the hawk. I took it as a good sign that the hawk kept coming back.

Meanwhile George and Weezie (right pic) are so into one another that I think they might start another nest soon.

Thing One and Thing Two keep maturing in leaps and bounds. Today was filled with practice flying and rambunctious baths on the deck. Thing One is so tuckered out that she’s dozing off during their favorite daily activity: watching TV with me.

Almost three weeks old. Still in the nest (when I don’t rudely take them out for photos) but Thing One has taken a few exploratory steps outside. Not quite feeding themselves but getting close.

Meet Joe, aka Gentle Joe aka Joe the Giant. He was given to me by the pigeon racing company when their rep came to pick up the lost hen a few weeks ago. Joe is the only unmatched bird in my loft but for now he’s okay with that. He reminds me of a beefy young farmhand who has one central need on his mind: food. Sometimes I think Joe could eat a circle around all the other birds combined.