Flossie and I have become obsessed with a pair of ardent pigeons.
They live in a thick evergreen tree in the garden behind ours and every day, at around 5pm, we watch them conduct their passionate endeavours on the top of our fence. There is much feather fanning and chest puffing from him and coy teasing and submission from her.
Having researched their behaviour online, I now understand that these two are a bonded pair. She has accepted his romantic advances and they sit together each day brazenly necking, ‘pigeon kissing’ and nibbling each other. Sometimes he sits on top of her. The first time I saw them do this, I didn’t know where to look.
Flossie is equally entranced. I think more from a garden security perspective. At first, she would bounce up to the fence and bark, causing some excessive wing flapping. But now she has grown used to them and we sit together quietly, and just watch them.
I’ve become rather fond of them. This is a surprise to me as I don’t have a good track record with pigeons. Many years ago, when I lived in London, on hot days I used to leave my third floor flat windows open while I was at work. One day, I returned to find two pigeons sitting on my sofa. They’d made full use of the flat and had left their calling cards pretty much everywhere. Let’s just say, a significant clean up operation was required and I never left my windows open again.
So I’m grateful to these lovebirds for changing my view of their breed. I make sure they have water and I don’t let Flossie rush up to the fence when they are basking in the evening sunshine.
Apparently pigeons usually mate for life so I feel invested in this relationship. Although baby pigeons are not often seen, I’m fairly sure we’re going to see the pigeon population increasing around my neighbourhood sometime soon.
As published in the Bath Chronicle, 6 August 2026
Suzy Pope is a certified copywriter and newspaper columnist specialising in pets, business and lifestyle. If you would like help with a writing project, please get in touch.