Pigeon post: Bird family rescued from post van

Did anyone order pigeon post?

A family of pigeons has been hitching a ride on a postal van for more than three weeks in north Somerset.

Two baby pigeons - known as squabs - were rescued with their mum after she was seen climbing under the vehicle.

They are now waiting to be safely released together after being rescued and are said to be "in good health".

A local rescue team helped the pigeons from under the vehicle.

The volunteers said the mother probably nested there because it was warm and dry.

"Given pigeons sit on their eggs for around 18 days, and the squabs are at least three weeks old, they have been under there a long time," they added.

It wasn't a particularly easy task to retrieve the birds.

Volunteers Emma and Sarah had to get underneath the van, where they found them peering out from behind the machinery.

But they were pleased with how healthy the babies were:

"The squabs' crops [storage pouches] were full so the parents have been feeding them well."

The pigeons were thought to be living in the van while it carried out its 3.5 mile (5km) postal rounds between the delivery office in Nailsea and Flax Bourton.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said:

"It's not something we see every day but we're really glad it was spotted and that the birds could be safely rehomed."

A spokesperson from the rescue team added:

"Once the juveniles are fully independent and flying well they will all be released and will hopefully find a better place to nest in the future."