During the many years that I've lived here, band-tailed pigeons have been resident. I was quite excited when I saw the first one because it looked like a bird I had just seen in Africa. I thought it was lost. Alas, I discovered that the bird is California's only native pigeon and also a relative of the passenger pigeon. Until this year, I've seen from 6 to 12 birds at any one time. They sit in the nearby trees and visit the pond when they are thirsty. (Photo from Wide Open Spaces.)
This year the population exploded. I estimate it has increased at least five-fold. We have a very large flock of the birds, so many that it is difficult to estimate. But why?
I learned the band-tailed is an upland migratory bird that has a low population rate. Breeding pairs produce only one egg per season. On top of that, large numbers of birds frequently succumb to Avian Trichomonosis and their habitat is decreasing due to forest management practices that favor conifers over hardwoods. They need hardwoods, particularly oaks, to survive. Their primary winter food is acorns. Perhaps that explains the population increase. Our oak trees produced an unusually large crop of acorns this year. So many were falling on the front porch that I was concerned I might get beaned if I sat outside for too long. With 15 acres, there are plenty of acorns on the forest floor.
The question remains whether most of them will migrate in the spring. Their favorite warm weather food consists of fruits like blackberries, cherries, and persimmons, none of which are on our property.
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