City dwellers have long been familiar with animals which seem to prefer the urban life style. Pigeons (to the right) are the classic example; they are found almost exclusively in cities. Around the Lake, they are found in Nelson and Balfour, but not elsewhere along the more rural shoreline. (Kaslo has seen them occasionally, but they are hardly residents).
Of course, many wild animals move freely between the city and the country: raccoons, robins, crows, geese, white–tailed deer, barn swallows, and others. Yet, I had assumed that among birds, only the pigeon confined itself to an urban lifestyle.
But, I was wrong. There is also the House Sparrow. Although not really common around here, it is present. Strikingly, it is not only one of the commonest birds across the world, but it, like the pigeon, essentially confines itself to cities.
Below are two pictures taken earlier this week, both in Nelson: a male House Sparrow and a Rock Pigeon. And if you think that the second picture doesn’t show a pigeon, look more closely at the eagle’s claws. The eagle is taking the pigeon out for lunch (what a thoughtful eagle).
On occasion I have suggested that the City hire a falconer to help reduce those pesky pigeons. However, the main problem is those two-legged feeders and am not certain what the solution is to stop that. If the eagles were even more predacious, I would be satisfied.