ferretmanabu Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 I shot a pigeon on Saturday but it had a whitish body with black bands on the wings. It was around the Birmingham area where I have noticed that there are flocks of these birds. They seem to fly around together like woodpigeons. Has anyone else come across these? I wanted to know whether these are suitable for human consumption or whether they need to be treated like ferals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 err.....sounds to me like you have accounted for a Stock Dove. Which rightly or wrongly happen to be a protected species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxidermy dave Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 err.....sounds to me like you have accounted for a Stock Dove. Which rightly or wrongly happen to be a protected species. Also known as a Rock dove/pigeon,(i tried to put a piccy up earlier but couldnt do it :*) :*) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 (edited) You will find that the stocky dove does slightly resemble the wood pigeon, only it is a tad smaller, and doesnt have the white band around the neck, or indeed the white wing bars. You will find that the stocky's are 'bull' eyed (very dark all over) as apposed to opaque, as mature woodies are. The whattle upon examiniation, is also quite different. I have heard of stock doves and other breeds of pigeons hybridizing, but I dont think woodies would mix. Although once on the vermin list stockies are now a protected species. Paul in North Lincs Edited February 28, 2005 by Paul in North Lincs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted February 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 I've looked at pictures of the stock dove and the rock dove on www.birdcheck.co.uk and there is no way the pigeon I shot is one of them (if the picture on http://www.birdcheck.co.uk/frame.htm is correct). This pigeon had an almost white body with darker wings and black bands on them. The neck had some green on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 I dont suppose you have a photo, in order that we may collectively try to identify the bird?? Paul in North Linc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Sounds like a common or garden "feral" that's not worth the price of a cartridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted March 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 I dont suppose you have a photo, in order that we may collectively try to identify the bird?? Paul in North Linc Sorry Paul, I don't have a digicam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 It certainly sounds like a common feral. They come in so many different colour combinations, I can't think its anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted March 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Just as well that I didn't eat it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 What is the objection to eating feral pigeons ? I know a few people that eat them (some unknowingly ) and nobody has died yet. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertop Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Cranfield Feral pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans than Rats. Is that objectionable enough ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rb5037 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I've looked at pictures of the stock dove and the rock dove on www.birdcheck.co.uk and there is no way the pigeon I shot is one of them (if the picture on http://www.birdcheck.co.uk/frame.htm is correct). This pigeon had an almost white body with darker wings and black bands on them. The neck had some green on it. Some stockies for you ferretmanabu, notice the green markings on the neck. I made the mistake a few years ago and had a good few hours shooting stock pigeon opps :*) never done since Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Does anyone know the story around how stockies became a protected speciest?? There are plenty where I am, although I appreciate that this may not always have been the case. Paul in North Lincs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Feral pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans thanRats. Is that objectionable enough ? Not really, because I don't believe it. B) "A high proportion of feral pigeons are infected with ornithosis (a mild form of psittacosis). Some have been shown to carry salmonella organisms. Dried pigeon droppings, feathers and nest materials as well as having the potential to cause infections in humans can be respiratory allergens." Psittacosis at its worse, is like a bad case of influenza and is very rarely fatal. Most people at risk from psittacosis are bird breeders, as exposure has to be at a constantly high level. Plucking a few ferals and eating the cooked meat sounds no more dangerous than eating Supermarket chickens. But I would have to admit that I don't eat Supermarket chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted March 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Looking at those pictures, there's no way I shot a stockie. I think that it's most likely that in this area woodpigeons have crossed with ferals. The field is near some built up villages. I've always heard of the "treat ferals like rats (i.e. with gloves and burn them)" advice but when I think about it, I really can't see why a skinned and gutted ferals is any more unhygienic to eat than a woodie. From what I understand, most of the disease is carried on the skin and in the feathers. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxidermy dave Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Eat some and tell us how you get on then(just dont sue me if you get ill please) Seriously though would you eat a rat !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 I can't believe that any self respecting Woodie would mate with a feral pigeon to produce a "Cross" - surely they can't be that desperate for a bit of nookie... If this was the case, the London Parks would be full of such hybrids, as they exist alongside eachother quite happily there and fight over the scraps of discarded burger buns - but I have never seen a "Cross". Surely the size of the bird is a clue - if it smaller than a woodie and definately not a stockie or Rock Dove, then it can only be a feral... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted March 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 I can't believe that any self respecting Woodie would mate with a feral pigeon to produce a "Cross" - surely they can't be that desperate for a bit of nookie... If this was the case, the London Parks would be full of such hybrids, as they exist alongside eachother quite happily there and fight over the scraps of discarded burger buns - but I have never seen a "Cross". Surely the size of the bird is a clue - if it smaller than a woodie and definately not a stockie or Rock Dove, then it can only be a feral... It probably is just a feral then. I don't really have much experience yet and as ferals come in so many different colours, its hard to recognise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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