A bronzewing pigeon visits our birdbath
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (348001)
Rockingham, Australia
March 5, 2020 7:08am CST
I have a birdbath right outside the office window where I have my computer. Any movement there attracts my eye immediately. This morning a bronzewing pigeon graced us with its presence. You can see by Vince’s photo how this pretty bird gets its name. There is a metallic sheen to the wings.
Bronzewings are medium-sized, heavily built pigeons. They are very timid and this one didn’t stay long. When startled, it takes off with a characteristic clatter, flying fast and low to the ground. Both parents incubate and raise the chicks.
The bronzewing is one of the most common of our pigeons. Like other pigeons, to feed its young, it secretes a milk-like substance from its crop. Isn’t it a lovely bird?
24 people like this
24 responses
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
5 Mar 20
that is such a beautiful bird! it amazes me what is out your window!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
@DocAndersen I must count up the number of different species one day. I haven't seen a kookaburra come in yet.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
6 Mar 20
@JudyEv your window has an amazing view, it is so cool! For us, we often get hawks and buzzards, but smaller birds are only robins.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (113401)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Mar 20
Hmm, now that you mention it the only places I've seen pigeons are the downtown high rise parking lots and various other parking lots around town but I've never seen them hanging around bird feeders which a lot of people have in their back yards @JudyEv
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Mar 20
More colorful than our pigeons.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
@JohnRoberts That's true. They are more like the mourning dove. The bronzewing, mourning dove and domestic pigeon are all different species.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Mar 20
@JudyEv Youe birds are more like mourning doves which belong to the pigeon family.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (89389)
• Bangalore, India
5 Mar 20
I have quite a few pigeons visiting my terrace and balcony. But they are simple plain grey ones. This one looks pretty shiny and no wonder it's got a beautiful name for that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
@arunima25 I remember. I wonder if they'll come back this year to build another nest.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (89389)
• Bangalore, India
6 Mar 20
@JudyEv I totally agree. They create a mess. Last year, we had their nest and eggs. I made series of post on that. Till they left, that corner on my terrace was a big mess.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16875)
• China
6 Mar 20
I think bronzewing isn't our native pigeon.Their wings are beautiful !
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38554)
• Philippines
6 Mar 20
I like the color of it's wings. What is crop?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
The crop is an expanded, muscular pouch at the base of the throat. Food is temporarily stored there before passing into the bird's stomach.
@aninditasen (16850)
• Raurkela, India
6 Mar 20
It is a beautiful bird, especially the pattern on the wings. We have a similar type close to my house that keeps hovering from tree to tree.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16850)
• Raurkela, India
7 Mar 20
@JudyEv That's what is unique, the metallic colour.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
5 Mar 20
That's beautiful. Never seen one before
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv Oh yes, and the stripes on the head
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
He is, isn't he? Much nicer than the 'ordinary' ones.
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
5 Mar 20
In one of the homese we rented there was a birdhouse in the backyard. I enjoyed it. Never had a bird bath.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83975)
• United States
5 Mar 20
Although I'm not fond of pigeons that pigeon really does have some pretty wings.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10743)
• Canada
6 Mar 20
I have never seen one like that, it's beautiful.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (348001)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 20
I think those sorts of pigeons are all over the world.
