About 4 pm today, we were driving home in heavy rain when I saw a pair
of Domestic Pigeons sitting on the power lines. Each had its right wing
stretched up vertically to get the rain on the undersurface, having a
rain-bath.
I have also seen captive Common and Brush Bronzewings and other larger
pigeons lie on the ground during rain with the upper wing outspread, to
rain-bathe the undersurface. They change side after a while and stretch
the other wing likewise. I have also seen them sunbathe in this
attitude.
I have not seen this behaviour in the Domestic Pigeon before. They are
probably feral birds which live under a nearby bridge.
A large female Brown Goshawk flew along the valley about midday. Perhaps
she will account for some of them.
Anthea Fleming
in Ivanhoe
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