I have always had a attraction /fascination with birds. One day I hope to get the proper license and be able to own a hawk/falcon. It would be the ultimate hunting dog in my book!!


I wonder how long it will take to get another mate around here for Zeus?

My pigeons can out run/fly the coopers that are around here. The coopers only chance for a kill on my pigeons is they have to have the element of surprise. Once the pigeons are already up and in the air,, the coopers don't stand a chance and they know it. The usually wont even bother once the birds are on the move. They always connect by wondering over my yard and catching the pigeons either loafing around on the roof of the coop or the are landing/taking off from the coop. The falcons on the other hand have the speed that the pigeons cannot outrun. The only hope the pigeons have is to get above the falcon! Really the only time I have any problems is when robins and bluejays and such are not around. Like early spring. I don't usually exercise pigeons in the winter months,, so there is not a problem. The worst time is always early spring before the robins are back. Once those type birds are back,, the raptors focus their attention to those type of birds and leave my pigeons alone!! Its rare to have an attack in the summer months!!


By open air hunters,, I mean that the falcons will get the pigeons up high and flying. If you ever venture downtown to watch them work, you will see the falcons rally the pigeons up high and then the falcons will get way above them. Once the pigeons start to disperse and the groups start to separate, that's when the falcons go to work. The don't connect on every dive,, more like about 1 out of  5. But when they do,, its unmistakable that they did. They hit the pigeons in the open with such force it makes a loud pop that can be heard.. Then you can watch them move down on the bird for the kill. Nature up close and personal!!!