Found a Race Pigeon- afraid he will be killed

[Lovebirds]

Going strictly by the picture, the bird appears to be in pretty good shape. IMO, I think it just got lost, got caught in the storm and has probably been without food for a few days. Although the droppings aren't perfect, I've seen MUCH worse.

[BradleyGarden]

I have an old cage that was for a cockateil... do you think that would work. It it about 16" diameter and about 20" tall.

[sasha008]

You can put a thick layer of newspaper on the bottom of the box or cat carrier. Then just roll up and discard/replace. Easy way to keep it clean

If the owner doesn't want it back and you need to find a home for the bird, try calling STAR, here's the website http://www.savetheanimalsrescue.org/index.php

They are out your way and I believe have a person or two who takes pigeons. I myself am totally out of space for birds

You can also try http://www.saveapetli.net/ They are mostly dogs and cats but are great people and may gave a suggestion.

[Charis]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

I have an old cage that was for a cockateil... do you think that would work. It it about 16" diameter and about 20" tall.

I think that will be fine for short term. Please remove the perches and if you have a brick you could put on the floor of the cage or a piece of heavy wood that is brick shaped, that would be good.

[lwerden]

Yes, a really pretty bird. It appears to be quite young. The feathers appear to look a little puffed up which could indicate he is not feeling well or he could just be exhausted and water logged. A pet carrier would be fine if you have one, or even an laundry basket would do. Just make sure it has seed and water close by. You can put an old towel in the bottom and a brick flat side down that the bird could use as a perch. They love to stand on something. The water dish should be deep enough for him to put his beak in and suck up the water as you would drink from a straw.

Thanks so much for all that you are doing.

[BradleyGarden]

OK - The bird is now in the old tall bird cage I had - newspaper in the bottom, brick to stand on, perches removed, water (deep enough for beak to suck up water) and birdseed.
I called STAR - they said that what I feared was true - that likely this bird might very well be killed. They said if owner called - ask them outright what they planned and if to get rid of it, then could I keep him. Then they told me to cut off his leg band and let him go preferably near other pigeons...
Thats all Ive done so far. I need to do a few other things today, so I think for now, the bird will stay in its new home for the evening. If the owner contacts me, I will post again, or if not, I will let the bird stay in the cage overnight and then post again tomorrow. Thanks SO MUCH everyone here for helping me. Its not over yet, but at least I feel there is a place I can go for help. Talk to you either later or tomorrow.

[BradleyGarden]

Here is the new bird in the cage. I hope this all works out...
pigeon3sm.jpg

[Birdmom4ever]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

OK - The bird is now in the old tall bird cage I had - newspaper in the bottom, brick to stand on, perches removed, water (deep enough for beak to suck up water) and birdseed.
I called STAR - they said that what I feared was true - that likely this bird might very well be killed. They said if owner called - ask them outright what they planned and if to get rid of it, then could I keep him. Then they told me to cut off his leg band and let him go preferably near other pigeons...
Thats all Ive done so far. I need to do a few other things today, so I think for now, the bird will stay in its new home for the evening. If the owner contacts me, I will post again, or if not, I will let the bird stay in the cage overnight and then post again tomorrow. Thanks SO MUCH everyone here for helping me. Its not over yet, but at least I feel there is a place I can go for help. Talk to you either later or tomorrow.

I'm sure whoever you talked to at STAR meant well, but their advice to "cut off his leg band and let him go" is wrong. If you let him go when he feels better he will probably go home and if he's not wanted that's a bad thing. Cutting off the permanent band is a bad idea, too. It identifies the pigeon's year of birth and in this case his breed (racing homer). If you need to find a new home for him in the future, he's more desirable as a banded bird.

[BradleyGarden]

gosh, thank you for telling me that! Thats exactly what STAR told me to do... :-(
"cut off the band, and release the pigeon where there are other pigeons"

Anyway, thinking about it, yes, if he does go home, I am sure they would just get rid of him anyway - band or no band.

Soooooo... the only hope seems to be if the owner calls and says that he/she wants to come and get the bird (and I should either assume wont kill it if they are willing to drive 100 mi round trip or they tell me outright that they wont kill it.)
If the owner doesn't call, or tells me they don't want it, or tells me that they plan to kill it, I am in a very bad bind.

I will again if any news... need to feed my pets now.

[lwerden]

The bird looks so much better in the last picture. You have done such a great job in such a short time. He has everything he needs and should be just fine with you.

Thanks again so much for taking him in and everything you are doing.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

OK - The bird is now in the old tall bird cage I had - newspaper in the bottom, brick to stand on, perches removed, water (deep enough for beak to suck up water) and birdseed.
I called STAR - they said that what I feared was true - that likely this bird might very well be killed. They said if owner called - ask them outright what they planned and if to get rid of it, then could I keep him. Then they told me to cut off his leg band and let him go preferably near other pigeons...
Thats all Ive done so far. I need to do a few other things today, so I think for now, the bird will stay in its new home for the evening. If the owner contacts me, I will post again, or if not, I will let the bird stay in the cage overnight and then post again tomorrow. Thanks SO MUCH everyone here for helping me. Its not over yet, but at least I feel there is a place I can go for help. Talk to you either later or tomorrow.

This is BAD advice. That's how the bird got into the shape he's in now. He was released, couldn't find his way back home and didn't know how to fend for himself. Cutting the band off is against the law and it's harder to do than you would think. Let's see. Cut the band off, turn it loose and the NEXT person who finds it will probably assume it's just a feral and not give it a second thought. That band usually gets people's attention.
Just do what you are doing and wait to hear from the owner.
I'm not mad at you by the way. You're just repeating what you've been told. I race pigeons. I loose them sometimes and if someone has one of my birds I go get it and I DON'T kill it and IF I can't go get it, I find someone to pick it up for me. The owner of this bird may be one of the finest folks on earth. Let's give him/her a chance.

[Birdmom4ever]

Renee is right. I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt because if one of my pigeons were lost I would want the finder to contact me. You can ask them directly what they will do with the bird, as has already been suggested. If they don't want it back, they most likely won't even bother to call you and that's how you'll know. But please give it a few days.

[lwerden]

Please don't even consider cutting the bands off and releasing the bird. It would be a death sentence for him. He doesn't know how to fend for himself.

I know you said that you would be in a bind if the owner doesn't want him or intends to kill him, but please let me assure you this forum will not let you down.

We will find this bird a new home, if you can't keep him. I just don't want you to worry needlessly that you will be left without help.

Thanks again for all that you are doing!!!

[BradleyGarden]

I promise I will not cut the band off after hearing the consequences of doing so from all of you. I do not in any way want to hurt this poor bird's chances of survival. If the owner intends to kill or simply doesn't bother to contact me, I will really need someone to help me find a place for this bird. Thanks so much again.

[Victor]

I just read your post, and just want to add my sincere thanks to you for your compassion and care that you have given this young, beautiful pigeon. You are a good person.Thank you for caring and I am glad you found Pigeon Talk.