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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 18, 2017 21:24:57 GMT
We have realised that doves can spontaneously shed feathers. We have had a few occasions where we have had to hold him for various reasons and when he is let go he sheds about 20 feathers in one go. They fly all over the place making a heck of a mess. I presume this is a defence mechanism to evade capture and confuse the predator.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator 
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jul 18, 2017 22:10:23 GMT
That's interesting, a bit like some creatures can shed their tails if a predator catches them by it.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jul 18, 2017 23:38:19 GMT
That's interesting, a bit like some creatures can shed their tails if a predator catches them by it. Exactly, and he doesn't do it every time, only when he feels stressed. He has this weird thing where if he finds himself in the kitchen he doesn't seem to be able to get himself back out, possibly because we have an archway and it's lower than the ceiling. So he starts to bang his head on the ceiling in an attempt to negotiate the drop. When he does that I call my son to catch him because I'm a short ar*e and can't reach. And every time he sheds loads of feathers everywhere. Other times when we just pick him up and give him a snuggle he doesn't do it. It's obviously not something he has control over, it's just a reaction to stressful situations. |
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