Found a Race Pigeon- afraid he will be killed

[BradleyGarden]

Thanks - yes - I need to relax. The pigeon managed to fly onto the edge of the tub. When it did the little flying... it looked as if the wings were working the same... and it made a sound as it was flapping its wings..a squeeking or whoosing. The flying up to the tub edge went OK (better than into the vanity). It also stretched its wings again on the edge. That is where is it now. Another few little feathers seemed to come loose. Just some kind of fluff. I have yet to catch it drinking, but I made sure the water is fresh, is next to the seed (which it has sampled), and is deep enough for the beak. I need to leave the young thing in the bathroom I've decided as it is pooping anywhere it stays for more than a moment or two :-) It can stay in the bathroom until hopefully someone will be able to take it. I should probably get some proper food for it after the holiday weekend. Oh, one more thing - I think it growled at me when I picked it up to take it out of the cage! :-O - it made the strangest sound each time I approached it with my hands.

[Pidgey]

The whirring sound is normal for pigeons and doves (columbiformes). Growling is good, I think we've got a heartbeat here! Sounds like he's in pretty good shape.

Pidgey

[Lovebirds]

Just caught up on this thread. You're doing a terrific job. I think the bird is fine. He/she just got lost. This bird wasn't in a race. If it was, it would have a special band on the other leg. Pretty sure this bird was just lost on a training toss and who knows how long it's been missing. If the owner is gone for the week end, it's not because he doesn't care about his bird necessarily. We do lose birds sometimes and some are gone for weeks before they finally show up one day out of the blue. We can't stay at home 24/7 because there's one bird missing. Our lofts are usually left in such a way that if a bird does return, it can get into the loft.

[BradleyGarden]

OK. I didn't know that about the racing. Then perhaps there is hope the owner will be happy to hear that this bird has been found. Perhaps I should leave my computer on with that note - I need a little cheer now. And, if its a good sign it growled, then I hope it continues growling at me some more! Thanks again.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

OK. I didn't know that about the racing. Then perhaps there is hope the owner will be happy to hear that this bird has been found. Perhaps I should leave my computer on with that note - I need a little cheer now. And, if its a good sign it growled, then I hope it continues growling at me some more! Thanks again.

Did you try calling Val?

[BradleyGarden]

No, I did not call Val yet. I kept hoping all the day that the owner would reply to me.. I guess with the latest replies, perhaps there is still a chance for that. I sent another email to the secretary-treasurer of the club that this bird is registered with asking if the owner wanted the bird back.. I will call Val Tuesday (after this holiday weekend!) if nothing has happened by then. I hope that sounds reasonable? Thanks so much, again, for all the advice.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

No, I did not call Val yet. I kept hoping all the day that the owner would reply to me.. I guess with the latest replies, perhaps there is still a chance for that. I sent another email to the secretary-treasurer of the club that this bird is registered with asking if the owner wanted the bird back.. I will call Val Tuesday (after this holiday weekend!) if nothing has happened by then. I hope that sounds reasonable? Thanks so much, again, for all the advice.

Sounds good to me. As long as you're comfortable keeping the bird, then he's in the best place he can be right now.

[Birdmom4ever]

You're doing just fine with the pigeon. Don't worry; pigeons are tough and forgiving. Don't worry about the water. He's undoubtedly drinking when you don't see him. My loft pigeons always drink right after I feed them, but when I have a bird or two in a cage with food available at all times, I rarely see them drink. Remember, he's a small animal and doesn't need to consume a lot of water to be okay.

I'm sure we'll find someone to take the pigeon if you can't keep it. But like Renee said, the owner might just be gone for the weekend. It's possible the bird was lost a week or two ago on a training flight.

-Cathy

[BradleyGarden]

Thanks. I keep checking on him - and he just sits in the same place. On the tub edge. He picks at the seeds a bit, but I think I must scare him LOL. Anyway, He has water and seed, and I did put a casserole dish in there with water in case he needed to bathe? I plan to put him back into the cage at night and cover it. I do hope that the owner really wants him back (not to get rid of either!), or that someone in this group will take it. He is cute, but I cannot keep him.

[Birdmom4ever]

That sounds fine. Pigeons love to bathe, although if he's exhausted and has lost weight he may not want to take a bath just now. Doesn't hurt to offer, though. Please try not to worry; I'm sure someone will be able to give him a home. I know people who would take him, but unfortunately we're on the opposite coast. Don't lose heart. The owner could call you tomorrow or Tuesday and if he doesn't, we'll go from there.

[lwerden]

I just caught up with this and based upon all the behavior you descirbe thid bird seems perfectly normal. You are doing a great job with him. Please don't stress, regardless how this situation turns out I am certain it will have a happy ending.

[BradleyGarden]

Thank you. I really can't begin to tell you all how helpful you are all being. It is great to know that you are all out there advising me all the way.

[Dezirrae]

Hi BradleyGarden,

Sounds like you are doing just wonderful with this little beauty! As I mentioned in my PM to you, if the original owner doesn't want him back and no one local can be found then someone here has agreed to give him a great home. I'd can take care of the shipping for you and, if needed, could even give the guy a temporary home if the weather delay's shipping. Just keep me posted.

Don't worry about him sitting in one place when you peek in on him... when I first got Pidge (my first pigeon) she would do that too when I gave her "free fly" time in the bathroom. Would drive me nuts But after awhile I could hear her flapping around when I wasn't in there... but for the most part she'd kind of pick a place and sit there most of time while she surveyed the area. Nearly 8 months later and she's still a bit nervous around people, but is slllloooowly getting better (ever since the arrival of my second pigeon - Hope). So yeah - I agree with the others - your little beauty sounds just fine and perfectly normal.

On thing I have noticed with my two - they don't "get" the idea of clear glass - I tried using a clear glass casserole dish for a bath once and they just seemed very confused being able to see through it. If you have a metal casserole dish that's probably be better... or even a deep dish pie plate (metal)?

One other suggestion - if you do wind up keeping him a few more days and if you have a PetSmart near you it would be helpful to pick up some oyster shell and some hi-cal grit. Just ask one of the clerks where it is - or look around the bird area near the food and perches. Pigeon's don't have teeth so they need the grit to grind up the seeds in their crop. The oyster shell is to give him a little more calcium. I mix mine together in a little pyrex bowl and put it in their cage. They love it!

Thanks again for taking such good care of this little one!!

[sasha008]

Sorry you got such poor advise from STAR. They do a lot of rescue both wildlife and domestic, and I had heard they had one or two people who take in pigeons

[philodice]

He is a good looking, happy, healthy pigeon. You really saved his life. Now pigeons can forgive a lot of 'pigeon stupidity' that comes from not caring for pigeons in the past. Just relax and we'll see how things go with the owner.