Don’t let the pigeon hatch on my balcony!
Yesterday, I took my triathlon training back onto the trail, where they’ve added a bunch of signs about what to do if you encounter wildlife.
I’ve already run across – not literally, thank god – several critters while out on the trail. I’ve dodged deer and coyotes on the road, and I’ve discovered snakes and mice in our garage. But I’ve never actually come face-to-face with any threatening animals here.
The one and only time I’ve encountered a menacing animal was on my apartment balcony in Crystal City.
I lived on the 21st floor – high enough that I rarely saw birds. So I was surprised one Saturday afternoon to notice a bird flying back and forth past my living room window, again and again.
I got up and went into my bedroom, which had a balcony off the same side as the living room window. Just as I entered my bedroom, I saw the bird – a pigeon – land on my balcony and crouch in the corner.
I hadn’t lived in New York yet, but I already hated pigeons – thanks in part to my mother’s long-held fear of birds. Pigeons were dirty and noisy, and I didn’t want one anywhere near my balcony.
So I opened the door to my balcony and waved my arms at it, expecting it to fly away.
The pigeon didn’t fly away. Instead, she moved TOWARD me. She MENACED me!
I backed up into my apartment and slammed the door, panting. What the fuck was wrong with this bird?
Then I saw it. An egg, in the corner of my balcony where the pigeon had been sitting.
Who knew pigeons had such a mothering instinct that they’d try to take on a PERSON? Not me. I kind of admired her guts.
But since this pigeon had educated me on just how far she was willing to go to protect her egg, I didn’t want to think about what she would do when she and I inevitably came to blows because her squab was squalling for food at the crack of dawn.
So I called in a maintenance request. A building handyman came up to my apartment and removed the egg from my balcony. “You don’t have to…uh, DESTROY it or anything,” I told him. “I just didn’t want it to hatch right there.” He nodded kindly at me, but I’m pretty sure that egg was toast.
Considering how I handled that pigeon (by calling someone else to handle it), I’m not sure I belong on the trail with the likes of coyotes, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions. Next time I’m out there, I’d better take a closer look at those signs.
As for pigeons, I’ll stick with the Mo Willems variety, thanks.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:01 am
You’re smarter than I am. I wouldn’t have thought to call maintenance. I would’ve just not used my balcony. Me smart.
Heathers last blog post..When the Left Side Gets Jealous
June 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I would have been menaced by the flying rat and worried the entire time about catching the plague or something disgusting. Good thinking on making maintenance the heavy.
motherbumpers last blog post..Contests are always fun
June 13th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m kind of afraid of birds, myself. The other day, a bird flew into our window, went Bonk!, and fell down onto the patio. It looked injured and was breathing heavily. We debated what to do. Call animal rescue? The vet? The zoo? The pet shop? Then, it sat up, so we decided to give it some water and maybe go out and buy some birdseed. But while we were busy trying to figure it out, it flew away. Phew! Thank goodness!
Asianmommys last blog post..Chinese Flash Cards
June 13th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Wow! Okay, even though pigeons are annoying sometimes…I can’t help but be fascinated by a pigeon laying an egg on your balcony! :O I would have kept it and watched it grow…and probably been happy when it finally left to make a new home of its own on the streets.
http://themyrons.eachday.com
June 13th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I’m in a spot where 4 miles into my run I leave the last house and street light and enter the mountains. Whenever I do, my thoughts switch to “There’s a lot of shit out here that can kill me.” Heightens the whole sense of everything. Something about maybe being food that puts a pep in your step.
Black Hockey Jesuss last blog post..Literal
June 14th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Mountain lions? Um, no. I’d run on a treadmill. For sure.
Karlys last blog post..The Questions That Plague Me
June 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Mothergoosemouse! I thought of you when I heard the news about Tim Russert.
I know you’re putting together a wonderful post about him and I’ll keep checking back to read it.
June 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Wild animals…hmmmmmm…let me think.
I did startle a deer once while hiking. But he just looked annoyed, not menacing.
My sister has a great story about stumbling into a bear. The bear left her alone. But, yeah, that’s menacing enough for me anyway.
Jozet at Halushkis last blog post..Heat, Pray, Elmo
June 16th, 2008 at 9:15 am
My husband seems to attract rattlesnakes. He seems them all the time while trail running, but I never ever see them. I think he emits rattlesnake pheremones. He just dodges to the side and runs around them, or turns around and goes the other way.
The one animal I worry about encountering is a moose. Apparently they can be quite aggressive. Never thought I’d be afraid of a moose…
Ozs last blog post..Attack of the Wild Hippo-Loving Baby
June 16th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
And I have been concerned about cars on my rides. It will be your first, there is something about it, it sucks you in and you start thinking about another, then a longer distance…
Mama Mavens last blog post..I AM a triathlete
June 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
We had a mourning dove nest on our door frame at our last rental. The landlord refused to handle it and I couldn’t bear to destroy the nest, so we had to use the back door or duck as we entered through the front in order not to be attacked once the chicks hatched. It’s funny looking back on it, but I was terrified when it was happening.
Bethiclauss last blog post..I Had Intended to Do Another Edition of Nerd Lust, But Under These Circumstances It Seems Inappropriate
January 28th, 2009 at 12:11 am
[...] I know mountain lions are aggressive, and coyotes can be, especially when people start invading their territory. Heck, even a pigeon can get feisty when protecting its young. [...]