Clean the birds well, making sure all the innards are discarded.
Grate one of the onions and in the pot heat the oil and do a quick sauté of the onion (around 1 min.) then to that add the rice and stir in the spices
Add the water and cook the rice for a few minutes (do not fully cook it, it will continue to cook in the oven)
While the rice is on the stove, preheat the oven to 180°C
Allow the rice mixture to cool slightly then stuff the pigeon.
Place the stuffed pigeon in the baking dish, roughly slice the remaining onion and place with the bay leaves in the baking dish. (add the peppercorns too if you choose)
Cover with foil paper and cook for about 40-45 min. then remove the foil and allow continuing cooking (about 15min.) until golden brown.
