Locating owner

[xdan504x]

Hi everyone at pigeon talk,

I found a pigeon outside my chicago home 2 days ago in below 0 degree weather. The poor little guy was almost frozen. I took him in and put him in my room. Eventually he warmed up and regained enough strenth to drink some water. I havent been able to feed him, even though he has rice inside the basket he's in. (Perhaps he ate some while I wasnt there?)

In any case. I was wondering if you guys could help me locate his owner.

The band on his leg says "NPA 03 647 AM (and then a sideways) 7"

Ever since he warmed up and moved around, I let him roam my house for a little bit each day when no one else would be around. He would walk around mostly, but sometimes fly onto the table or counter top. Is letting him roam around a bad or good thing?

This is the first experience I've ever had with any pigeons (except for when I was little and I would chase the pigeons at the park)

I did some research on this website and have been taking very basic care of it. Also I saw that if the owner doesn't want him, I could offer to take him in. I'm willing to do that as well.

Any help is appreciated.

Dan

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dan,

You need to send an e-mail to James Avery at james4bird@aol.com with the letters and numbers from the band. He will look up who purchased the band and advise you accordingly. Please do let us know how it works out. I'm very glad you are willing to adopt the bird if the owner cannot be located or does not care to have the bird returned.

Terry

[John_D]

Hi Dan,

He may well not know what rice is, unless it's the brown type. Far better would be some mixed corn, or even wild bird food, from a pet store. Pigeons would generally be fed on mixed corn or a racing pigeon mix.

If you didn't already, can you check him over to see if there are any exterior injuries - under the wings as well as the upper parts. He may just have been exhausted, or may have been caught by something and escaped. Can you also check inside his beak/mouth to see if it is a reasonably good pink color, free of any obvious obstructions.

John

[Pete Jasinski]

Hiya Dan,
Thanks for rescuing this poor lost soul. Is your guest pooping? and if so what is the color and consistency?

[Birdmom4ever]

Hi Dan,

Thank you so much for helping this pigeon. What does he look like? Color, size, etc. Just curious. NPA is usually rollers and show pigeons, whereas AU is racing homers.

[xdan504x]

Hey guys:

First of all, thank you for all your help, and for this website, It's been a great help. I'm going to reply to all your questions by order.

Terry-
I emailed James Avery and he replied with the owner's address and phone number. I tried to contact him but his phone is now disconnected. I know it was a cell phone, therefore, I'm assuming that he changed his number. I sent him a letter too, but I doubt he lives there now because I searched his address at the whitepages.com and got a different result for his address search. I was wondering, what's the next step in adopting him? Thanks again.

John-
I did go out and bought some pigeon food from the pet store. He eats that about 3 times a day, maybe more when I dont see him. I checked him for injuries and he seems fine. I checked his beak and it also seems healthy, no discolorations, obstructions or anything of that sort. I was wondering about his beak though. The pigeons I've usually seen have long beaks. This bird (if you can see the picture that I'll try to post) has a really small beak. It's about the size of a pencil eraser. Maybe like birdmom says, its a show pigeon. (A beautiful one, might I add) Any input?

Pete-
When he first arrived, his poop was like any usual poop I've seen: green and white, semisolid/semiliquid. However, if you see what I told John, I got him some pigeon food a couple days ago. Now that he has been eating this birdfood, his poop has remained the same colors, but it comes out more solid. think of it like really small geese poop. Also, since he got this food, he poops a lot more than before. Is this normal? I do make sure that after he eats his food, he drinks water. Thanks

Birdmom4ever-
I'll try to post a couple of pictures for you. He is about 12 inches tall.
They are here: http://www.picturetrail.com/xdan504x
Dont mind the date on the pictures, I have to fix that on my digital camara.

What would be the next best step to take?
Dan

[kittypaws]

What kind of pigeon is he? - he'a lovely and has that rose coloured ceres round his eyes and a little stubby beak - bless.

Tania

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dan,

What a gorgeous pigeon! I believe it is a German Owl .. perhaps another member can confirm this.

You have made the effort to locate the owner and since that didn't work out, there is little else you can do. Enjoy your beautiful new feathered family member!

Just to be politically correct, I suggest you e-mail Mr. Avery back that the contact information is no longer good and that you plan to adopt the pigeon if there is no updated information on the original purchaser of the band.

Terry

[Birdmom4ever]

What a cute little pigeon! Looks like an Old German Owl to me, a fancy pigeon breed. If you can't find the owner you have two choices: keep him as a pet or find another home for him. OGO's tend to be tame and somewhat friendly. You might just want to keep him.

[John_D]

Wow, he is a gorgeous little guy, Dan

Not very up on show pigeons - I'd go with Owl or Satinette (cos of the crest) from my pigeon book.

When they're eating good pigeon stuff, their poops can be quite prolific.

So, d'you feel like being the owner of a beautiful "pet" fancy pigeon?

John

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for heping this cute little pigeon!

That does look like an Old German Owl to me , and they make wonderful pets.

You could possibly take him to an avian vet and have a fecal done, and exam and see how he is doing?

[Lin Hansen]

Dan,

What a beautiful bird...thanks for caring for him and best wishes if you decide to keep him. He looks like a keeper to me!

Linda

[xdan504x]

Hey to everyone:

Thanks for all of your help!

I've taken care of everything that needed to be done... and thankfully, I've officially "adopted" this beautiful Old German Owl.

I'm looking for an avian vet to see if he's up to par with his health.

Now all that's left is to sit back and enjoy the new family member. (even though my mom hates how he always spills his birdseed)

Some things I'm iffy about are: Can I take him outside? or will he fly away?
sometimes when he's standing in one place, he lifts up his leg and stands on one foot for a long time... what's that about? He switches the foot he stands on too. The last thing is...where is the best place for him to sleep? Right now Im keeping him in a mid-sized home made cage that I cover with a towel at night.

Thanks to everyone who put their input into this forum, you guys were really really helpful.
Dan

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dan,

If this is, indeed, an Old German Owl, you cannot let him out to free fly .. that isn't what he was or is meant to be. You've now got a pet pigeon to care for, and the members here will be forthcoming with info. Standing on one foot is quite normal .. not to worry ..

I'm glad the bird has a new and caring owner in you.

Terry