Columba palumbus

This is Percy our resident Columba palumbus (wood pigeon). When he first appeared in the garden, he was sleek and slim and skilled enough at deck landings to alight on the seed basket of the bird feeder.

In recent times he has become addicted to the easy life and is now content to wander under the bird feeder where the sparrows keep him well supplied with seed that they scatter all around. When he flies into the garden now its rather like an overloaded C41 transports plane and sorts of 'Flops' onto the grass. His take-offs are even more hairy and he is now just clearing the back fence!

Short of banning him from the garden or fitting a deterrent (preferably 12 bore), I can see the day when he will be unable to get off the ground and will become a permanent feature. Pigeon Pie for Christmas?