Just a Day at the Beach

(Peregrin Falcon and Rock Pigeon)

It’s difficult for me to see the lowly Pigeon as anything but a messy, cooing, awkward nuisance that struts about to peck crumbs at its feet. A near miss I witnessed from the Belmont Pier, however, made me think again.

I was watching for Pacific Loons and Black Scoters when I noticed an often seen flock of Pigeons lift from beneath the pier skywards. A distant dot became a speckled streak as it dove into the center of the group, which exploded like a Fourth-of-July rocket. Pigeons accelerated in every direction.

The cause of the panic was a Peregrin Falcon that shifted its attack to focus on a single fleeing bird. “Goner,” I thought. But as the fastest bird in the sky closed in, “awkward nuisance” turned into aerial acrobat. It snapped open its tail, cutting its forward speed to just about zero, closed its wings, tucked its head to the side, and dropped towards the beach like a rock. The Peregrin was left with only empty air to grab. With an elegant sweeping turn, it flew off to land in a distant row of palm trees, no wound to lick, but perhaps some ego to soothe.

The Pigeon’s success began with its specialized eyesight that evolved to counter the Falcon’s telescopic sight. Pigeon eyes have migrated to the sides of their heads, giving them near 360-degree vision. Moreover, as they peck at the ground, their eyes also take in the sky. The flock knew the Falcon was on its way long before it erupted in their midst, giving them a crucial head start. (BTW: Pigeons literally sleep with one eye open, feeding surveillance to a portion of their brains that remains alert.)

Pigeons, it turns out, are 31% flight muscle by weight, enabling 50 mph cruising speeds and acceleration to 60 mph as necessary. They can maintain that top speed for miles as their hearts thump at 600 beats per second, circulating plenty of oxygen and fuel. Admittedly, that’s nowhere close to the Falcon’s top speed, but combined with their aerial tactics, it allows them to power off to reach shelter ahead of pursuing talons.

Who knew? So here’s to the lowly Pigeon that lived to enjoy another day at the beach.