Pigeon flies??

[pdpbison]

Yes, well..they crawl sideways, because they are a kind of Lice.

They have no relation fo 'Flys' as such, and enjoy an entirely different life cycle, which does not include a pupae stage. They feed on the blood of whom they bite, and, tend to be exclusive to Pigeons, or, sometimes some few other kinds of Birds if desperate for a meal.

These are among the few extant surviveing kinds of very ancient flying Lice ( most all other extant forms of Lice having long ago forsaken their Wings, even as Ants in their way, being wingless Wasps, have forsaken theirs, but for some special occasionsin the case of Ants, where some are born with Wings to fly off and begin new Colonies,) who likely have been with Birds continuously through their prototypic emergence before or among the various Theropod forms who posessed feathered limbs and bodies, or, since the advent of those feathered Birdlike forms from which Birds are infered to have arisen, anyway.

With a little patience and good reflexes, one may catch these Lice in ones finger tips and kill them in fully HOT tap water by immersion. They are very hard to kill otherwise.

Their eggs, which hatch at liesure with no particular attentions of their parents, tend to resemble either a dark or pale seed, about the size of a Milo seed, and will sometimes be found in the Nests of the Birds, or where they roost. The eggs of these Lice do not occur on the Birds themselves, or, if they do, soon fall off.

If you do elect to use any sort of pesticide, please do be very careful to protect your Bird's face and eyes from any exposure to it. Lest you sicken, injure or kill your Bird with the pesticide.


Phil
Las Vegas

[pigeonmania]

Originally Posted by upcd

Where you able to get rid of them?

I haven't seen any snakes now for a while so hopefull I did! I still have to get some bug killer for those lice things

Stacie

[birdboy12]

Originally Posted by cyro51

They are about the size of a normal fly and also look similar but they are flat and very hard!

I used my normal pigeon spray to get rid of them when they came in on a rescue.

Cynthia

Haha yes they are very hard.I remember when I first had them.I tried to kill one by stompping on him.Didnt work at all they also move very very fast.You can get a spray from jedds that works really good.

[pigeonkid1046]

I live in Pennsylvania. Would I have problems with pigeon flies? Thanks.
Visit my site.
http://www.freewebs.com/pigeonkid/

[Pigeonpal2002]

Parasites pretty much know no boundaries in demographics or locations...so yes, you could have a problem with these bugs.

Sevin dust, permethrin sprays, or any good anti insecticide from one of the pigeon houses should relieve your problems

[upcd]

Brad, you and your bird take a nice picture.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Thank you Debbie

I decided to post a picture of myself again to show the others and to support Tracie's idea to show our other members who I am. I've shared this picture before but it's been a long time and there are very many new members since then

That is my lovely young hen, Lucy on my shoulder...who's name was voted on because of Daryl's (pigeonmama's) suggestion.

[pigeonkid1046]

Hey thanks for the advice Brad. I invested in some scalex spray which kills all bugs on pigeons. Thanks once again.
Visit my site
http://www.freewebs.com/pigeonkid/

[Popcorn_Nose]

how many times do pigeons lay eggs in 1 year??? i have plenty of english carriers that was given to me by my uncle and i want to give it to others... i have 27 carriers here abd im planning to give about 15 carriers... just email me if u want.. thanks!!!

[pdpbison]

Hi Popcorn Nose,


Where are you?


Too, you may wish to put your mention under the 'Birds for sale or adoption' heading so it may be more likely seen, than here in a Hippoboscidae ( flying Louse) thread...

I think six times a year is certainly possible for some if conditions are good and they are in the mood...that is, six clutches of two, and incubateing, hatching, and raising the Babys.

Thatsa lotta work though for them...



Phil
Las Vegas

[feralpigeon]

Here are a couple of the best photos I've seen of pigeon flies that were posted on the NYCPRC site by one of the members:

http://nycprc.org/images/Parasites/Pigeon_flies-AM.jpg

Just thought it would be good to include here

fp

[Lady Tarheel]

Ugly little devils, aren't they.

Maggie

[Popcorn_Nose]

what can i do to be able to feed my pigeons on what we call "pigeon pellets?" coz i think that they lost their appetite when i fed them "mixed seeds.." that's why i was forced to give them cooked rice and i think that they like it.. the thing that bothers me is that, they look thin and im worried coz they have eggs right now and i think they need energy to give heat to the eggs.. im also worried that if the eggs are already hatched, they'll feed the rice to the chicks... is rice a good food for pigeons?? can u help me... thanks!

im sorry if im flooding but i need replies... thank you for your kind consideration...

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Popcornose,

You say that your birds have lost their appetite from eating seeds...why do you say this? This could be a symptom of something going on when birds stop eating.

Cooked rice isn't very nutrionally sound for pigeons. Uncooked rice isn't either but it is in some of the pigeon mixes in a small percentage. They just can't survive and be healthy on rice alone-cooked or not.

Try introducing the pellets to them and see if they will eat them. It may take awhile if they are not used to seeing them but they should eat them in time if you are persistant. Seeds should still be provided too however because this is their staple diet.