What was this pigeon eating?

[sitsinhedges]

Shot just a few birds in a wood this afternoon. I opened up their crops to find out what they had been feeding on and one was full of rape leaf and quite a number of these nuts. They are about pea sized and in a thin shell with the kernel being the normal white flesh of any average nut. Obviously the bird would have to digest the shell to get to the nut inside which must take some doing. Any idea exactly what they are? My missus reckons small hazelnuts???

 

[955i]

I would say beech mast looking at them

Edited December 14, 2013 by 955i

[Whitebridges]

Beechmast

[sitsinhedges]

All the beech mast I have seen has been shiny with three distinct sides whereas these are coarse dull and round peanut sized jobbies.

[JDog]

Those nuts are not beech mast nor are they hazel nuts. I suspect that the pigeon has been on a bird table somewhere.

[sitsinhedges]

Those nuts are not beech mast nor are they hazel nuts. I suspect that the pigeon has been on a bird table somewhere.

 

Can't see unshelled nuts of that size being on a bird table.

[sitsinhedges]

Just had a brainwave and crushed one of these nuts so I can smell it and maybe get a clue.

 

Smells very much like an almond

[THE AD]

So it's been to tesco and nicked the nuts of an almond cake BIG DEAL

[sitsinhedges]

So it's been to tesco and nicked the nuts of an almond cake BIG DEAL

 

Thing is that these nuts are more like hazel nuts in shape but much smaller and still in a thin shell.

[FalconFN]

I can't think of anything native that looks like that but they could be from some non-native tree or shrub in a local garden or park?

[sitsinhedges]

I've been doing a bit of research and asking other peoples' opinions as to what these seeds could be.

 

A chap at work had a bit of a think and decided wild cherry stones fitted the bill.

 

Can't find a picture of one anywhere to confirm but did discover that the genus the wild cherry is from produces cyanide in its seeds and if I recall correctly cyanide smells of almonds and these seeds smell of almonds too so maybe the answer to what they are is there?

[Guest rimotu66]

Can't find a picture of one anywhere to confirm but did discover that the genus the wild cherry is from produces cyanide in its seeds and if I recall correctly cyanide smells of almonds and these seeds smell of almonds too so maybe the answer to what they are is there?

 

So was the pigeon a captured spy and trying to commit suicide?

[sitsinhedges]

So was the pigeon a captured spy and trying to commit suicide?

It would be interesting to know if levels of cyanide in the nut would be enough to harm the bird as it had eaten a good few of these.

[figgy]

Some of the more bitter sour cherry varieties have a almond like taste when cooked and sweetened.

 

I best be carefull love cherries and almonds, would have tried eating them if I found them under a tree.

 

Figgy

[rapid basher]

Chocolate hob knobs ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are on sale now in morrasons

[FalconFN]

I've been doing a bit of research and asking other peoples' opinions as to what these seeds could be.

 

A chap at work had a bit of a think and decided wild cherry stones fitted the bill.

 

Can't find a picture of one anywhere to confirm but did discover that the genus the wild cherry is from produces cyanide in its seeds and if I recall correctly cyanide smells of almonds and these seeds smell of almonds too so maybe the answer to what they are is there?

Apple pips contain cyanide too, and as a kid I was told that a cup full of pips would kill you - I imagine the cup would have to be absolutely massive but in theory it could be possible.

[PhilR]

We've got ornamental cherry trees in the garden and they have woodies in them near enough all day scoffing the yellow fruit.

[Actionpigeons]

Those nuts are not beech mast nor are they hazel nuts. I suspect that the pigeon has been on a bird table somewhere.

as above