My first pair of chicks. Once PP and his mate had decided I was pigeon friendly, they had no hesitation in starting off their second brood. Thus, I was able to see the beginning of pigeon life, right from hatching. Feeding and grooming his young occupied all PP's time during the day, thogh his mate took the long night shift and gave him an hour's 'lunch break'.

Of course, they soon grow. This pair could be left unattended for short periods, since they quickly learn to control body temperature. At first, I would be concerned at them being left, but I soon realized that one or both parents were always within sight of the balcony. Of course, since their food & drink was always here, they had no need to go far and forage as other local birds would.

They soon put on weight and gain the beginnings of real 'pigeon-colored' feathering. At this size, they would rise up and snap at me with their tiny beaks if I held my finger close to their nest. But, they soon became accustomed to my presence, and only attacked the bright red brush I used to sweep up around them.

As chicks grow, of course, it's a bit of a handful (or beakful) for PP to feed both at once. Back with the second brood, mother is standing by and is just about to gently divert one chick away from PP and feed it, ensuring that both are adequately nourished. I noticed with all the broods, the first to hatch never gained any advantage over the other in feeding - but then, there was always as much as they wanted available.