Found a Race Pigeon- afraid he will be killed

[BradleyGarden]

I think I made a big mistake. Early this morning, just after a very bad rainstorm,
I went outside and found a pigeon, all fluffed up, sitting in a puddle in my driveway. It wouldn't fly away as I approached, and the neighborhood cat had also noticed the pigeon and was approaching.
I got a box, and put the pigeon in it and brought it into the bathroom to keep. I saw it had a band, got the number, tracked the racing club, contacted the secretary-treasurer and told them I had the bird. I was told that the registered owner would be contacted with my information. I haven't heard anything yet, but I have been reading, and I am now horrified to learn that these 'lost' racing birds, once returned, are usually killed! I feel awful. I tried to help, I believe the bird is exhausted (after all the rain)... and I didn't want the cat to eat it. But, now what! I cannot let this poor tired young bird be killed. Any advice? (I actually took it outside a while ago after I learned what its fate might be, but it still wouldnt fly away. It really appears healthy, I am still thinking it was just exhausted). Thank you for your help.

[Pidgey]

Well, you can ask the owner if and when they get in contact with you what his or her intentions are--maybe the person will give you the bird if they don't want it anymore. Where, basically, are you in case we've got resources in your area? And can you take a picture of the bird and post it? There might be more going on than it being lost and having endured bad weather. Do you have any seeds that you can feed it?

Pidgey

[BradleyGarden]

I gave it some wild bird seed, and also put a dish of water in the box. I am located on long island in NY. It looks so alert, but it wont fly away. As I said, it rained very hard overnight and early this am, and it was still drizzling when I found it this am. It looked kind of water logged. Now, its all dried out and looks quite healthy. Still no word from the owner. This is the first pigeon I have seen in our neighborhood - we are a suburban area.

[lwerden]

Hi.......Many times when the owners of the racing piegons are contacted they do not respond or they do not want to be bothered to travel any distance to pick up a lost bird. Yes, they do kill many of them because from a racing standpoint they are worthless if they cannot complete the race and return. Please take note NOT ALL OWNERS OF RACING BIRDS ARE LIKE THIS........but many are.

Hopefully you have found a bird from an owner who truly cares about his birds, but if not, you will need to decide if you wish to keep the bird or offer if up for adoption.

In any case do not release the bird. It might have been injured or is sick and it's chance of survival would be questionable.

Please let us know where you are at, we might have a member close to you that would be able to help you.

[Lovebirds]

What is the year on the band? Is there any other band besides the one that identifies where the bird is from?
I'm asking because I'm curious to know whether this is a young bird (2008) or an older bird and if it's was in a race when it got lost.
Not ALL racers kill their birds if they get lost, but I won't tell you that NONE of them do. You're best bet is like Pidgey said........IF you get in contact with the owner, ask them point blank. If they say you can keep the bird, then do so, even if you don't REALLY want it. Then let us know and we'll try to find a home for it. Don't just let it go. It's very possible that the bird could decide to go home and then............?????

[BradleyGarden]

The band says:
IF 2008 SH 1205

I live in Shoreham, NY which is located on the north shore of Long Island, NY

[lwerden]

From the band it is a very young bird. Born this year.......hence the 2008. It could possibly be less than 6 months old. Some of the other members will be able to identify all the other information and will get back to you.

PLEASE DO NOT RELEASE THE BIRD.

All the help you need is here on this forum

Thanks so much for helping and taking this bird in.

Louise

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by BradleyGarden

The band says:
IF 2008 SH 1205

I live in Shoreham, NY which is located on the north shore of Long Island, NY

Looks to be about 50 miles, give or take, from home. If the owner doesn't contact you, then don't worry about it. Between you and our members, we'll figure out what to do with the bird.
If the owner DOES contact you and is willing to come get the bird, then that would be fine. No one is going to drive 100 miles to get a bird that they don't want. If he asks you to turn it loose, we can discuss that BEFORE you turn it loose. Just because the bird gets lost, doesn't mean it can't find it's way home. Lots of things can cause them to not make it home.
I guess for now, just keep the bird comfortable and wait to see if you hear from the owner and go from there. It's a holiday week end so they could be out of town.....any number of things. We have no way of knowing if this bird was lost yesterday or two weeks ago. He's lucky you found him.

[BradleyGarden]

Thank you very much. I really want to help this bird. I do have other pets in the house (my own house cats) so I am keeping the bird in the bathroom for now. It may be that I will be keeping it overnight at a very minimum, so I guess I will need to get something better than a box to keep it in. It is getting dirty already. I hope there is someone in this area that can help with the bird.

[Pidgey]

Oh... he's a bird from The Hamptons...

...'tis a lot better than my neighborhood.

Pidgey

[Pidgey]

Can you feel the wings carefully to check and see if there's any swelling in a joint (compare one to the other) or any other anomaly that might suggest why he's not flying? And, can you describe the poops fairly thoroughly? Might be we need to start looking for medications. Is he acting funny in any way?

Pidgey

[Lovebirds]

You could call Val if you wanted to. He's the Secretary/treasurer of the IF and he's not far from you. There's a bunch of pigeon flyers up there. He may be able to find someone to come get the bird. If you get his answering machine, just leave a message and he'll call you back.

Secretary - Treasurer
Val Matteucci
P.O.Box 374
Hicksville,NY 11802
Phone:
(516) 794-3612

[BradleyGarden]

I forgot to say that he/she is so very pretty. I can attach a picture if needed.

[Charis]

If you have a kennel, the kind you would transport your cats in, you could keep the pigeon in that for the time being.

[BradleyGarden]

I hope I am doing this right - here is a picture...
pigeon.jpg