I 'adopted' two feral pigeon brothers when I lived in london, they both had hooked beaks and looked more like raptors than pigeons, called them Kes and Perry. They did okay for a year then I had to go away one Christmas so wasn't around to feed them. I never saw them again. I hope it's because they were fed by someone else.
I have had a reply from a member of the Welsh Wildlife Trust about this bird. He and his colleagues are totally mystified about it, can only suggest a genetic mutation, as was suggested by several posters on here. He says it is very, very rare in wild birds, but has been bred into canaries, etc.
I do hope this bird doesn't pass it on to any offspring - must be a bit chilly in windy weather! It's really funny to watch him in the wind, though.
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I 'adopted' two feral pigeon brothers when I lived in london, they both had hooked beaks and looked more like raptors than pigeons, called them Kes and Perry. They did okay for a year then I had to go away one Christmas so wasn't around to feed them. I never saw them again. I hope it's because they were fed by someone else.
I'm glad my daughter's not the only soft-hearted one
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
"I'm glad my daughter's not the only soft-hearted one
"
I have had a reply from a member of the Welsh Wildlife Trust about this bird. He and his colleagues are totally mystified about it, can only suggest a genetic mutation, as was suggested by several posters on here. He says it is very, very rare in wild birds, but has been bred into canaries, etc.
I do hope this bird doesn't pass it on to any offspring - must be a bit chilly in windy weather! It's really funny to watch him in the wind, though.
Thanks for letting us know Oneofseven
I thought that's what it must be.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.