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Post by starlingqueen on Dec 15, 2015 10:59:44 GMT
Here's some pictures for you of Cookie and his mum and dad. This is Mum and dad. We like to think Cookie was a gift to us for the years we have fed them.  They live in our tree and we have defended their nests from all sorts of predators over the years, from cats to magpies. I feed them during the winter and spring, whilst they raise their babies.    And the boy himself.  |
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Post by OP on Dec 15, 2015 11:23:54 GMT
Thank you Starlingqueen for the pictures. I often wonder how Cookie is getting on. Does he ever see the parents outside and make any sort of gestures that he recognises other doves? How tame has he become? Is he a good companion? So many questions.  |
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Post by starlingqueen on Dec 15, 2015 11:59:06 GMT
Thank you Starlingqueen for the pictures. I often wonder how Cookie is getting on. Does he ever see the parents outside and make any sort of gestures that he recognises other doves? How tame has he become? Is he a good companion? So many questions. He can see them, yes, but I've never seen any sign that he recognises them as the same as him. I think he thinks he's human, or at least that I am the same as him. As for tameness, he steps up and sits with me all the time he is out, but he isn't keen on physical contact, ie, being stroked in any way shape or form. I can hold him as in the picture, but it's brief and he's not keen. I was putting him away when that was taken and is the only time I actually hold him apart from on my hands. He quite happily sits on our heads, if I'm not in the room anyone will do and he has the instinct to get as high as possible, so if someone is standing up he flies to their head. Sometimes he will just decide to sit on the floor though. Just randomly finds a spot and settles down. He still worships my feet every day, often several times a day. He only eats seed, be it millet or budgie mix, I can't get him to touch anything else, but that's all they eat in the wild if it's available if not they take berries but I think that's just for the seeds inside. He's quite big too, bigger than they look, about the same size as my African grey, but with a smaller head. He's a very good companion, absolutely devoted to me but will spend time with the rest of the family if I'm not in the room. He tends to chase feet, not a fan of naked flesh so will peck at any skin, but he doesn't hurt unless he pinches a small bit and shakes it. I do think more people should have them as pets, they are very entertaining and very sweet natured. My son loves him to bits. |
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Dec 15, 2015 13:34:38 GMT
Aw. Makes me want to adopt a Dove  Guess he wouldn't get on with all the budgies flying about though! |
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Post by OP on Dec 15, 2015 15:14:34 GMT
A big thank you Starlingqueen. He sounds to fit in really well with the family. How does he get on with the other birds? I often watch them through the window when they are foraging on the law, well I should say foraging around the borders where there is little grass. They seem to get on with the wood pigeons and sparrows that visit. But they don't like blackbirds and other Corvids. I haven't seen either since mid November. Even the seed feeder is still full. I usually see a robin around but not this year so far. Thanks again for the update. Most interesting.
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Post by milliej on Dec 15, 2015 16:59:52 GMT
That was a good read Amazing, what a wonderful thing you've done there and he is beautiful Great to see some pictures too, thank you. |
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They live in our tree and we have defended their nests from all sorts of predators over the years, from cats to magpies. I feed them during the winter and spring, whilst they raise their babies.
