Friday, February 06, 2009

This is an Ex-Pigeon

Let's face it, they are not renowned for being intelligent. Wood pigeons are big and heavy, but also the first species to disappear when they sense danger, which might be a sign of having a few brain cells.

Some time in the autumn a big bird, probably a pigeon, flew into the kitchen window and left a large dusty imprint on the glass. Having heard the bang I rushed downstairs, but there was no bird, only the mark it had left on the window, with a full wing span visible. This morning I was sitting in the room next to the dining room with the glass patio doors, and I heard an almighty bang. I understood straight away what must have happened.

Outside, belly up, lay a wood pigeon in, what turned out a little later to be, its death throes. Judging by the dust mark, it had taken the whole impact on its beak, on its head. No spread-out wings had absorbed the force. It must, at the moment of impact, been diving at speed with the wings tight to the body.

I used my foot to gently roll it round so it ended up on its side/front, thinking it would be easier on the breathing and also to orientate itself. I know from previous experience that birds sometimes knock themselves out only to suddenly come to life again when you think they are dead. Not so this one.

IMG_7673          IMG_7672

A couple of hours later when I was convinced the poor pigeon would fly no more, I picked it up gently and put it out in the copse for other little creatures to feed on. In doing so I couldn't help but think about Monty Python's "Parrot Sketch" and all its euphemisms for being dead. (Is that naughty?)

Owner: No no! 'E's pining!

Mr. Praline: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!

11 comments:

janet copenhaver said...

Sad, but such is the circle of life.

We have quite a few birds hit our windows. I have nurtured, a few small ones back to life, by keeping them warm in my hands till they get their senses back. So I'd like to believe. Their biggest treat at our place is the dogs getting them once they've fallen to the ground.

I have the perfect photo to go with your post. :)

swenglishexpat said...

Janey - Yes, the little ones seem to recover more often in my experience. Photo, what photo?

janet copenhaver said...

Well I was going to link here but for some reason I'm not able to get the direct link. Think cause I didn't date it or title it. It is the Feb 2 post of this year. You commented on it. Oh a little work I found the link.

http://lifesinwestcliffe.blogspot.com/2009/02/1001468.html

swenglishexpat said...

Janey - I know exactly which one now!

G.C. PHILO said...

My cousin one time got a pigeon caught in the front-grille of his car. We pulled over as soon as we could and, miraculously, managed to get the pigeon out. It was alive and wobbled away, but its one wing just wouldn't go down. To this day, we still talk about the "Nazi Pigeon" episode...

Eric Valentine said...

That's sad about the loss of the bird Swen but as Janeywan said, the circle of life..

CanadianSwiss said...

LOL! I love that sketch! (is THAT naughty?) ;)

Veronica said...

Maybe some would see it as naughty "naughty" but I will admit that the first photo reminded me of ending up face planted into a (thankfully) deep snowdrift when I had a spectacular fall on a steep ski run (quite) a few years ago ... splutter, splutter, cough out the snow - but at least I guess I did continue, after gathering my composure, and scattered ski gear ;-) - this chook didn't!

swenglishexpat said...

G.C. - Thanks for commenting. That pigeon would have been arrested here in Germany for that salute, since it is illegal! ;-)

Eric - Yes, it was just a pigeon, but after all a life that had been taken by accident.

CS - That sketch is the funniest ever!

Veronica - I know, you don't feel particularly good about yourself after a belly flop like that, more like humiliated big time!

Anonymous said...

Not naughty. I immediately started thinking of the parrot sketch even before I got to the end of the post and saw that you had thought of the same thing!

Great minds and all that!

swenglishexpat said...

LadyFi - I am delighted you agree. ;-)