Next pic,

yes, it certainly could. I had 8 years of lovely cherries before pigeons discovered mine....and now they are back every year, stripping the entire tree of young new leaves (not so bothered with the little green cherries). Have to net the entire thing the day the last blossom falls (and the new leaves start emerging). Truly annoying because my cherries grow amongst roses and foxgloves and now look like an ugly eyesore......but if we want bowls of luscious cherries, we just have to avert our eyes.

I have dark fantasies of avicide, every year (the redcurrants are a battle too).

Net the whole thing...I'll try that. Thank you.