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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).<\/p>\n
Of course, many wild animals move freely between the city and the country: raccoons, robins, crows, geese, white\u2013tailed deer, barn swallows, and others. Yet, I had assumed that among birds, only the pigeon confined itself to an urban lifestyle.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t show a pigeon, look more closely at the eagle\u2019s claws. The eagle is taking the pigeon out for lunch (what a thoughtful eagle).<\/p>\n
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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 … Continue reading