Brooklyn: tagged coop pigeon found

[TAWhatley]

Hi Max,

You can e-mail the pictures to me at TAWhatley@sbcglobal.net, and I'll be happy to get them posted for you. I know nothing about Mac's so can't be of any help there. Another alternative would be to put your pictures on Webshots (http://www.webshots.com) or on Alaska's site who is a member here and has provided the space and means for members to post pictures there (http://www.pixalbums.net/index.php?site=Pigeon).

Terry

[Birdmom4ever]

Phyll, thanks for the input. Obviously you know something about this particular owner, which I did not. However, I still believe people who find lost, banded pigeons should first make an effort to locate the owner. It's easy to determine that someone doesn't want a bird back--usually they don't even respond when you try to contact them. But to be fair to owners who DO want their birds back, finders should at least make an effort to find the owner. I don't like promoting the belief that "owners of lost pigeons will kill them because they got lost." People hear this and believe all pigeon owners are like this when that is not the case. Even some racing homer fanciers want lost birds back.

We lost a roller hen three years ago and she was found by some young boys. They didn't know anything about pigeons, yet they had heard that people who lose them don't want them back! Fortunately their mom disregarded this and called me (I use phone number bands in addition to permanent bands). I'm just saying you need to give the owner the benefit of the doubt. If you talk to him and he doesn't care or doesn't want the bird back, that will be apparent.

I also think it's wrong to assume an owner wasn't taking proper care of his/her pigeons because the bird was out in bad weather. Accidents happen.

[TAWhatley]

What a gorgeous pigeon! Max sent these to me to post:

http://www.rims.net/000_0130.JPG
http://www.rims.net/000_0131.JPG
http://www.rims.net/000_0132.JPG

Terry

[feralpigeon]

Max,that's a beautiful pigeon, I hope all works out for the best for both of you!

fp

[ReluctantFlier]

is he such a grump? He acts like a mean dog anytime I get near him Should I just give him his space, or should I be forcing some love on him? When I do hold him, he really squirms and kicks, and when I go to pick him up, he makes this growling noise and sometimes tries to peck/bite me. I know that they're not supposed to bite, but this guy really seems like he's ready to. He actually pecked at my finger yesterday!


Also, someone told me to get some grit. I went to the Petco today (only shop I know in Manhattan for now). I picked up some "Kaytee Supreme fortified blend bird mix (it's labeled for canaries.) I made sure that it did not contain sunflower seeds, but I couldn't find anything labeled grit, and most stuff was labeled for parakeets or canaries or parrots. So I got this other stuff labeled "bird greens," basically dehydrated veggies. Is that enough? The Petco staff were totally nonexistent, so I had to figure everything out for myself. Anyway, other than Vitamin D, is there any other crucial ingredient I should look for in bird feed? And what's going to make this guy happy? He's such a growler!

max

[Royaltypigeon]

Max,
I thought you might be interested in the kind of bird you have. I don't know that much about them but I'm sure you can do a search on google. I borrowed these photos off of a friends web site. I'm sure he won't mind.
Your bird is an "American Flying Flights". I also know that some are called "NewYork Flying Flights". They come with or with out the crest. Those white eyes are a dead giveaway. Not too many breeds have those white eyes that I know of.
Good luck with your new found friend.
http://www.pixalbums.net/upload/Pigeon/flight14.jpg
http://www.pixalbums.net/upload/Pigeon/flight4.jpg
Gary H.

[phyll]

Max,
Please give the pigeon some time to "warm up" to you.
Afterall, it's only been a couple of days.
In those pictures, your guy looks a little upset or something.
Speak softly to him & don't pick him up every time you are near him. Trust is the key.
Are you allowing him to have some free time? Let him check things out & get some exercise.
Is your pigeon very vocal?
Max, I hope you do not intend to name him Grumpy. He'll have a complex. Think about his name for a while.
Oh, six years would not be old for an indoor pigeon. Seemingly, they enjoy a much longer lifespan than the ferals. Thanks be to God for that!

Phyll

[Reti]

He is a very beautiful bird.
Don't worry about him being grumpy, in time he will adapt and warm up to you. It takes some time and patience. Talking to him is very important.
Petco should have the Hi-Cal grit for parrots, at least the ones around here have it. It works ok for pigeons too.

Reti

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Max,

Your new pigeon is a real beauty As everyone has mentioned, it just takes time to build trust with any bird. Keep a routine, stick to it and don't push too much. Allow the bird to warm up to you on it's own terms. If you spend enough time with him being quiet, moving slowly and calmly, he will respond in time. Treats such as sunflower, safflower or raw/unsalted peanuts will give you an advantage in taming him. Food is often a very good trust builder

Good luck and best wishes with your new pigeon

Thanks Terry for posting the pictures for Max.

[Trees Gray]

Max,

That is a really neat looking bird, and has attitude!

I have several birds that I have had for years that still growl at me and kick and squirm when I pick them up and check them. I just talk to them gently when I handle them, I just accept it, and respect them..as I don't know their history, they may have had minimal human contact. so I give them a little space.

You have only had this bird a few days, give him some time, an indoor pigeon is bound to warm up quicker, with constant loving contact. Also, start feeding him out of your hand from now on, he will really warm up quickly.

Terry, thanks for taking the time to post the pictures.

[Lady Tarheel]

Hi Max, grumpy or not, that is a beautiful pigeon. I have never seen one with white eyes. Like the others said, time will make a big difference.

Maggie

[ZigZagMarquis]

ReluctantFlier...

If you can get some raw UNSALTED peanuts... try hand feeding a few to your found-pigeon... that will make him (her) warm up to you, but don't overfeed it peanuts, its like candy to them.

Also, if it works out that you keep the bird, you may wish to check-out some of the pigeon supply houses...

www.jedds.com
http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/
http://www.globalpigeon.com/gps.php

If you cannot find pigeon grit in a local feed store, you can get it from any of them.

Also, if you go back to PetCo, I might suggest that you look for a "Dove" mix of seed.

[ReluctantFlier]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the words. I'll give this guy some patience, and I won't name him "Grumpy," much as I'm tempted . He is very pretty, and I'll say again that I'm quite surprised that he was just wandering the streets...

I just put him on this bike repair stand that I have, and he seems to like this as a perch. I'm hoping that this might help him get a lay of the room and such.

Now, for a cage. I have to admit, in my small Brooklyn Apt., this could turn out to be a bit of a challenge! But I'll wait a little while, and if the owner doesn't come calling, I'll go out and find something.

Thanks again for all of your help and input, and thanks for letting me know about his pedigree, too,


max

[ZigZagMarquis]

You could try to find a parrot cage... maybe a used one? They can be kind-of expesive though, but come from "medium"... to "big"... to "huge"... to "bigger then my college apt." size.

Depending on how handy you are with tools... you could build a great indoor pigeon cage with some 2x2's, hardware cloth... etc.... there's some pictures of some lurking around the site here. Hopefully someone will link you to them.

[ReluctantFlier]

Thanks for the tip.

I just had one more question: can anyone tell me about general body language? This guy, now he's on his perch, he's doing that thing where he's got his head nestled down on his chest, which seems a look of contentment. Just wanted to confirm. And also, do they sleep with their eyes closed? And is there anyplace that pigeons like to be rubbed, stroked, touched? Under the beak, top of the head, back of the head, etc...?