Re: [SBB] Re: [MBB] Bandtailed pigeons

["LINDA ADAMS" <[[email protected]]>]

Hello everyone,

Even the data that I have compiled here in San Martin for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) can be misleading as to whether certain species are increasing or decreasing.  The first year that I provided data in 2003 and the second year in 2004 it showed what I considered to be an accurate trend for our cavity excavators that agreed with my daily observations.  In that timeframe, Nuttall's Woodpeckers doubled to 7, Northern Flickers doubled to 8 and two Acorn Woodpeckers were first recorded during the mid-February bird count.  However, we experienced such bad weather during the 2005 GBBC that these birds were almost totally absent.  Since I know that their absence during that four day period in 2005 did not indicate near extinction, I really appreciate reading the birders' daily observations in neighboring areas so that I am not mislead by (my own!) short term data.

Our local increase in the more rare birds in San Martin may be on the high end.  Many of the large foundation plantings have occurred only within the last 20 years on previous pasture land that adjoins wooded county parks, so it is only in the last few years that enough trees have matured sufficiently for cavity nesters to expand their range.  Approximately six years ago, most Acorn Woodpeckers, Nuttall's Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers went no further than the mature oaks on the Harvey Bear Ranch.  Now they have spread out and are typically seen ranging and nesting in the San Martin community.  Although Ring-necked Pheasants and California Quail may not be seen during a bird count, they are becoming very common, as well, and are spreading.  And we're even starting to see a few Band-tailed Pigeons occasionally!. . .

In addition to the maturing landscape, they have also benefitted from unintended, novel sources of food.  From the time we lived in the Woodside Highlands of Portola Valley (early 1980s) the four Acorn Woodpeckers that raided our dry dog and cat food bowls on the ground mushroomed into two pair and seven fledglings that we eventually fed the pet food to regularly on a table feeder to protect them from cats. . . and, the Band-tailed Pigeons gobbled up the millet on the table feeder, as well.

Even today the birds seem to turn circumstances in their favor.  Although the increased traffic in our area presents a hazard to wildlife, it also serves as a "food processor" to crush fallen acorns that many seldom-seen-species eat along the road.

So I would think that the population increase may be more dramatic in our once almost "tree barren" area and it is therefore, easier to identify.  Hopefully for every bull-dozed housing project there will be a maturing landscape to replace it.

Linda Adams in San Martin

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ruth Troetschler<mailto:[[email protected]]> 
  To: Birdermom<mailto:[[email protected]]> ; [[email protected]]<mailto:[[email protected]]> 
  Cc: SBB Chat Group<mailto:[[email protected]]> ; Monterey Bay Birdbox<mailto:[[email protected]]> 
  Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 9:32 AM
  Subject: [SBB] Re: [MBB] Bandtailed pigeons


  Hi Jean--

  I am astonished at the idea that Acorn Woodpeckers are increasing, 
  when their range is decreasing due to habitat destruction.  If you 
  can find the reference, I would appreciate reading it.

  Your observation about Bandtailed Pigeons may be true for the same 
  reason.  Human expansion into previously wild lands effects many 
  species.  Bandtailed Pigeons in modest numbers have been eating our 
  millet this summer for the first time.

  Ruth Troetschler

  At 10:13 AM +0000 8/21/05, Birdermom wrote:
  Dear Diane:
  I read a good article last year (can't remember mag. name) about 
  Band-Tailed Pidgeons.  Many of them migrate south to Mexico every 
  year where they are considered a delicacy and are widely hunted.  The 
  other reason cited for their decline is the reduced quantity of 
  Acorns available due to the rising numbers of Acorn Woodpeckers who 
  have few predators left and who eat many of the nuts formerly eaten 
  by Band-Taileds.  I would also assume that decline in habitat is 
  another reason for their decline.  Since we bought our Gilroy 
  property surrounded by 100 year old olive trees, I've noticed that 
  hundreds of Band-Taileds flood the trees when the 40+ olive trees 
  ripen (around early summer) and are still there now.  They hang from 
  the smallest branchlets while maddly flapping their wings and 
  plucking and swallowing as many as 8 olives in a row (which begs the 
  question "How many olives can a Band-tailed Pidgeon eat and still be 
  able to remain airborne?).  To me, this indicates that they are more 
  adaptable than the Carrier Pidgeon may have been.  Also, isn't the 
  current theory that the Carrier Pidgeon needed several thousand in a 
  flock to maintain critical mass?  Band-taileds seem to hang out in 
  flocks of about 30-40 when not in mass feeding flocks of hundreds 
  (such as in Castle Rock park in late spring when the rains make the 
  acorns swell into large, plump edibles).  The fact that they are so 
  wary endears me to them since they seem to be one of the few 
  untamable birds - even on my feeders (where they prefer striped 
  sunflower seeds).  The sound of their wings can be a roar when dozens 
  or hundreds take to flight at the same time (a trademark of this 
  bird).  And their brilliant orange beak and green irridescent neck 
  feathers makes them a beautiful bird to behold up-close, like through 
  the slit in my shutters.  I encourage you to welcome these wild, 
  wonderful birds to your yard with tasty plants that will feed them 
  (such as oaks and perhaps even an olive)!  Take care,
  Jean Myers
  Gilroy

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