Caught in the act

[Leothebear]

I had to wipe my eyes this morning because I thought I must be seeing things. On a 6ft fence, 20ft from my kitchen window were three pigeons having a threesome. I know these birds are some of the randiest creatures there are but a three way is a first for me. Then I realised that one wasn't even a woodpigeon but a stock dove! The dove was male because he mated with one of the woodies.

Anyone else seen such outrageous behaviour?

[bungeejumper]

Yes, we've seen it in our garden fairly often, although not the kinky wife-sharing arrangement with a different species. The pidges around these parts do it while balanced on an overhead power cable, which I suppose must give them an extra thrill? The males are practically queuing up for it; the females make a bit of fuss about not wanting it, but then give in with somewhat indecent haste, the hussies.

It's long been known that many/most female birds (excluding albatrosses, swans and storks) are up for a bit of hanky-panky whenever their main man isn't around. Or sometimes, when he is. I gather that blackbirds, those perennial symbols of garden domesticity, are particularly fond of a bit of mixing and matching on the quiet. Oh well, I suppose it keeps the gene pool refreshed?

BJ