Sunday, June 28, 2009

Pigeons and Doves

Crested Pigeons (or Topknots as they are sometimes called) have been in my yard ever since I moved here. I think they have been nesting in some thick shrubs in my neighbor's yard. They have foraged around the yard and perched up on the electricity wires. I would certainly miss seeing them if they were not here.
A few years ago a new bird started perching and foraging in the same places. It is a Spotted Turtle Dove which was introduced into Australia from the 1860s onward and is expanding its range all the time. In the last few weeks I have been seeing fewer Crested Pigeons and more Spotted Turtle Doves and it even seems that the Doves are taking over the shrubs where the Pigeons formerly nested.
Introduced species always change the balance of the environment. Unfortunately our native species don't seem to compete so well. Of course, all introduced species are more carefully managed now but we are still left with the problems created by earlier introductions which were allowed before it was realized just how delicately balanced the environment is. I hope the Doves don't push the Pigeons out of my yard!
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17 comments:

  1. Midmarsh JohnJune 28, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    As you say introduced species can be a problem for the natives. Like the way the grey squirrel has reduced our red squirrel population drastically over the years.
    The topknots are pretty looking birds with their punk / mohican style head feathers.

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  2. mickJune 28, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    Hi John, that's interesting about the grey and red squirrels. Grey squirrels were introduced into Australia as well but as far as I can find out they are no longer here.

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  3. NeilJune 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM

    G'day Mick love the detail of the Spotted Turtle-Dove.

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  4. mickJune 28, 2009 at 5:02 PM

    Thanks Neil - as long as they haven't chased off the Topknots!

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  5. gwenJune 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM

    Is there a control program for the Spotted Turtle Doves? Or are there too many to handle?

    I hope the Crested Pigeons will stay in your yard.

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  6. mickJune 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    No control program as far as I know. I think when an introduction took place that long ago it pretty hopeless.

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  7. Denis WilsonJune 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM

    Hi Mick
    .
    One good thing about the Turtle Doves is that they tend to stick near houses, and not move into the bush - proper bush, I mean.
    That is a limitation to their ability to take over.
    .
    They are very fond of bird feeders. The Cresteds are too, but can survive well without supplementary feeders.
    .
    I would not have any qualms about "disturbing" one of their nests, if you saw it just being built.
    .
    I know control programs have been developed for Common (Indian) Mynas.
    .
    Cheers
    Denis

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  8. AnonymousJune 29, 2009 at 12:14 AM

    Really, we shouldn't be introducing species unless we bring their whole ecosystem with them. Of course, that's impossible, which ought to tell us something.

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  9. mickJune 29, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    Hi Denis, few people around here feed any birds because the SC Cockatoos are already such a problem in the gardens. No nests in my yard - and I can't really manage the neighbour's yard! Interesting re the spread of these birds because Slater says: "spreading into natural bushland". I don't have any personal knowledge about it yet.

    Hi Wren, we have learned some sense re introductions but am stuck with the problems of previous years!

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  10. AmyJune 29, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    Gosh, I also hope they don't push them out. Those Crested Pigeons are pretty cute.

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  11. KellyJune 29, 2009 at 11:18 PM

    ...the Crested Pigeons are beautiful. I love those little topnots! We have the same problem here with introduced species. The native species never win against the more aggressive introduced species.

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  12. Bob KaufmanJune 30, 2009 at 2:40 AM

    Lovely shots of the "topknots", Mick!

    Over here the Eurasian Collared Doves were the introduced species and now spreading widely. Thankfully the local Mourning Doves are holding their own.

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  13. mickJune 30, 2009 at 4:35 AM

    Thanks for your comments Amy, Kelly, and Bob and Cynthia.

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  14. LarryJune 30, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    Great captures of both birds Mick. As far as I'm concerned, introduced species are always a problem. There are so many examples, it's hard to pick one but in the USA we have two big problems.

    European Starlings and House Sparrows are huge problems here in the US. They both take over cavity nesting sites from our native species and breed like rabbits.

    I hope the Crested Pigeons hold there own and don't lose their place in the natural order of things.

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  15. AnonymousJune 30, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    Interesting discussion abt the crested pigeon vs turtle dove here, both of which live in and around my yard.

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  16. KyleJuly 3, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    Love the Crested Pigeon shots, Mick. Those topknots and that "tousled hair" look are wonderful! I hope they don't disappear from your area.

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  17. mickJuly 3, 2009 at 5:29 AM

    Thanks Larry, Madahmas, and Kyle for commenting.

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