Farmer Paints Pigeons to Ward Off Predators

[Galleywench]

My guess is that the pigeons are safe until Easter morning when the birds of Prey decide they are a gift from the Easter bunny...


Farmer Paints Pigeons to Ward Off Predators

Wed Feb 16, 7:16 AM ET


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A Dutch farmer has painted pigeons pink and green to ward off hungry birds of prey and it seems to have worked, a Dutch newspaper reported Wednesday.

"I'm crazy about the birds ... Naturally, birds of prey are going to eat pigeons, but preferably not here," the farmer told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.

He began painting the birds with environmentally friendly, water-based paint a year ago.

"The colors make the pigeons seem unsuitable as prey. The birds of prey simply don't recognize them anymore," he said.

[Nevada]

okay the visual has given me a big smile! thanks for posting this one!

[rosefaeries]

:shock: Painting pigeons to keep them safe??? And to think I used to let my dog nab them in mid flight

[Lady Laurel]

Flying easter eggs. :lol: :lol:

[Galleywench]

Flying easter eggs. :lol: :lol:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Sorry....just thought..."somewhere over the rainbow......"

[Dmitri]

just what we need MORE pigeons... Those are some of teh filthiest animals... Shit with wings...

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Dmitri - my dad (an original Philly guy) said the same thing - he said that they just had good P.R. (like squirrels do, too - he thought they were just rats with good P.R.)

[Lennie]

Well, I guess we all need something that makes us happy^^ I would love to see a picture of this, it just sounds so crazy!

[KissMeKate]

just what we need MORE pigeons... Those are some of teh filthiest animals... Shit with wings...

Pigeons are one of the main reasons that perigrin falcons are being reintroduced into big cities. There are plenty of "cliffs" to nest on, and more than enough food! I still think pigeons are cute in a stupid kind of way, but once one takes a dump on me while I'm walking to my office, I think that will change real quick!

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

Pigeons are one of the main reasons that perigrin falcons are being reintroduced into big cities. There are plenty of "cliffs" to nest on, and more than enough food! I still think pigeons are cute in a stupid kind of way, but once one takes a dump on me while I'm walking to my office, I think that will change real quick!

I think it was last year that the NYC Parks Commisioner got into trouble because he introduced falcons into the parks to help with the pigeon and rodent problems.

The problem was, he didn't tell anyone and people only found out about it when some lady's chihuahua got snatched by one. :shock:

[daBaroness]

Now THAT is funny! I feel sorry for the poor pooch - but it's just funny to me mostly because it seems that the owners of these small dogs are always the Paris Hilton or Zsa Zsa Gabor types who forget the poor creatures are dogs - not live plush toys. I can't help but think these poor dogs must loathe being dressed up in doll clothes and toted around as a fashion accessory.

I'm actually surprised this little pooch was left on the ground to do his/her business rather than being trained to poop in some cute little rhinestone-studded doggie diaper ...

[Lady Laurel]

poop in some cute little rhinestone-studded doggie diaper

O my Gosh :rotfl:
That was Hillarious a pooch depends....

[Emrld]

I admit when my 8lb dog had her first liter - the two puppies got a hold of something that made them kinda sick. Now their eyes were open and they could hear but they were still getting most of their food from their Mom. Well my sister had a human baby about this time - so to keep the puppies from palying in filth and to not have to keep cleaning up - My Mom and I took premie diapers (from my Sister) and put little tail holes in them. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen - but it kept the puppies clean and in fact they stayed still and rested more then they had been becuase they didn't care for the diapers. Once the medicine the vet gave us kicked in I did not put the diapers on them anymore. (The only other diaper wearing was on my adult dog when she was in heat)
As for the sweater wearing - I try not to go to "cutsie" and have had days where my dog will bring one of her T-shirts over to me to put on her because she is cold. But even I have my limits as to what I will put my dog through. I have a hairless Chinese Crested (so she has "hair" on her head paws and tail but not body) so she does have warmth issues.

[Nevada]

I am still trying to convice the Rogue to let me put a bandana on our hyper hound

[Dmitri]

Pigeons are one of the main reasons that perigrin falcons are being reintroduced into big cities. There are plenty of "cliffs" to nest on, and more than enough food! I still think pigeons are cute in a stupid kind of way, but once one takes a dump on me while I'm walking to my office, I think that will change real quick!

I think it was last year that the NYC Parks Commisioner got into trouble because he introduced falcons into the parks to help with the pigeon and rodent problems.

The problem was, he didn't tell anyone and people only found out about it when some lady's chihuahua got snatched by one. :shock:

Peregrin's are bird eaters as are most falcons, preferring to dive at dizzying speeds, knock out prey and grab the dazed bird on the ground... Hawks are bird/ground animal predators. This is what I get for hanging and working birds with Falconers up at NYRF for the last 10 years...

No Peregrin took a chihuahua... the falcon isn't strong enough. The peregrins wouldn't help with rodentia... Pigeons.. damn straight... there are nesting pairs of Peregrins in each bridge on the Hudson, from the TZ bridge north...

[Emrld]

Nevada. . . .try to find one or make one that says "My Dadddy is #1"
At least that way the dog is in support of his Daddy.

[LashaLaRouge]

HEY...*pouts* i have a chihuahua...and she wears a coat or a sweater when she goes outside, and a little sparkly collar...then again i also have alot of spare time on my hands, she gets cold real easy speciallin new england weather and the only collar i could find small enough was a jeweld kitten collar...but still. shes also litterbox trained as she wont go out int he snow and i was sick of her peeing right at the door to piss me off...i mean would you want to go out barefoot in snow thats deeper than you are tall?!


i agree though, chihuahuas are currently the fashion acessory of the year, and have even been featured as fashion accessories on the runways *growls* :evil: :roll: people like paris hilton, they get these dogs NOT because they like their temperment or have experience with the breed but instead because there like furry 4 legged babies, dogs they can dress up and shove in the camera becuase toy breeds are known to do anything for their peoples love...
its no wonder paris hiltons tinkerbell ran away...i would too. i bet she was screaming inside when whoever found her returned her to paris lol.

as for taking a chihuahua, i have seen chihuahus under 1lb and there are many stories (some of which true) of even some of the smaller pirds of prey taking them.

anywayz back ontopic, the thought of easter coloured pigeious is scarily a happy thought lol...

[Veldrina Vladescu]

Hmmm..makes the pigeons easier to shoot outta da sky! hehehehe :twisted:

There was a comedian who said chihuahuas are great pets for apartments becuz u don't even have to walk them, all u do is hold them out the window & squeeze! :lol: