Pigeon has been with us for three weeks

[rubyseeds]

Hello.

I asked for advice a few weeks back on a baby pigeon I found on the street. Thanks for all your advice!
It was quite a challenge to get the little boy (I think) feeding at first, but he is a lot more happy and is flapping about. He even jumped on my lap to get at his food...I don't think he's quite imprinted on us, though. He only comes out of his "nest" when we come with his food.

My question is this -- should I release him back into the wild once he's fully developed? (how long would that take?) If so, should I wait until the spring when it'll be much warmer outside?

Thank you so much!

[Reti]

Depending on where you live, spring would be better. There is more food around.
Before releasing him make sure he can fly well, very well. And he is not too human friendly. Also he has to know that cats, dogs and other critters are not ok (like two of my pet pigeons who go up to the cat and bite her).
There is a link in the feral pigeon section 'to release or not to release". You might find that helpful.

Glad your little one is doing so great.

Reti

[Trees Gray]

Here is the link:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=10874

[rubyseeds]

Thanks for the link --


1. IMPRINTED

I don't think he'll fly to anyone once he's outside, but he does fly to us when we come in the sunroom with food. He jumps on my lap and walks around sometimes and eats out of my hand.


2. 100% REHABBED AND SELF-SUFFICIENT

He's very close to being able to fly, and can look for his own food. He's also very, very healthy and eats a lot.


3. IS THE BIRD PREDATOR PROOFED?

No, he's not scared of us at all. He does hide when there are crows around, though.
He's a typical grey-coloured pigeon.


4. IS THE BIRD WEATHER PROOFED?

Yes!


5. IS THERE AN ESTABLISHED FLOCK NEARBY THAT THE BIRD CAN JOIN?

No. I've never seen a pigeon flock in this area.


6. DOES THE BIRD ACT LIKE IT WANTS TO STAY, DOES HE SEEM HAPPY WITH YOU AND DO YOU WANT TO KEEP HIM?...AND DO YOU HAVE THE FACILITIES TO KEEP HIM?

The bird has really warmed up to us, and we'd love to keep him if we can somehow find a place for him to sleep outside...The sunroom is getting very dirty from his poop, and my mom isn't pleased.



I'm so very conflicted right now.

[Trees Gray]

Hi rubyseeds,

Thank you for taking such good care of this youngster, I'm sure he is doing well.

The baby is about a month now? He should be eating and drinking well on his own.

He may not be imprinted, he may be just used to you. Have you seen him fly to anyone who comes over, who he is not familiar with, or is he scared(does he grunt) My pet pigeons are very cozy around me and my family but nervous and they grunt around strangers. They are a like different bird around friends.

I'm so glad you are looking out for his welfare and trying to decide if he is ready for release. He does sound like he might be predator proofed if he hides from crows, and if he has been bathing he should be water proofed.

I am concerned about finding him a flock to join, and also a good food source in the outside world. Pigeons are social creatures and need each other for company and protection.

Can you tell us where you live, then perhaps we can find you a rehabber or guide you to one, or someone who is experienced with pigeons and flocks in your area?

[rubyseeds]

Originally Posted by Trees Gray

Hi rubyseeds,

He may not be imprinted, he may be just used to you. Have you seen him fly to anyone who comes over, who he is not familiar with, or is he scared(does he grunt) My pet pigeons are very cozy around me and my family but nervous and they grunt around strangers. They are a like different bird around friends.

I'm so glad you are looking out for his welfare and trying to decide if he is ready for release. He does sound like he might be predator proofed if he hides from crows, and if he has been bathing he should be water proofed.

I am concerned about finding him a flock to join, and also a good food source in the outside world. Pigeons are social creatures and need each other for company and protection.

Can you tell us where you live, then perhaps we can find you a rehabber or guide you to one, or someone who is experienced with pigeons and flocks in your area?

Thank you so much for your response!

Danae (the pij) is somewhat wary around strangers, actually -- when my friend wanted to see him and I let her in the sunroom, he walked away from her and hid behind a box. This was when he was still small, so he might've changed since then. He doesn't really grunt.
I might see what happens when my dad goes in to water the plants.

I live in Ridgewood, NJ -- north NJ. There might be a flock at my school, which is a huge community college with a golf course next to it. I'll go investigate.

[Lin Hansen]

Hi Rubyseeds,

Thanks so much for taking care of this bird and for trying so hard to do the right thing by it. I'm sure there are some flocks around that you've probably never noticed before. The college is a good start...is there a place where students gather outside to maybe have their lunch on nice days? If so, there are probably pigeons around hoping to find food scraps. Other places where they seem to hang out are parking lots of supermarkets, fast food places, public parks where people sometimes like to feed the birds. I know Ridgewood is one of the nicer towns in NJ, but if you do a little looking around, I'm sure you'll find some places where groups of pigeons like to hang out.

Good luck in your search and thanks again,

Linda

[Trees Gray]

Here is a list of rehabbers in New Jersey, perhaps they can help fledge the bird:

http://www.wildlifecare.org/listnewj...l#NEW%20JERSEY

[rubyseeds]

Thanks for your response! I'll definitely go investigate, and if I can't find a flock I will contact a rehabber.

You guys are great help!

[pdpbison]

If you ca make friends with the Flock, by feeding them ans kneeling close while they graze for a week or two... and gain their trust somewhat...

Then, if you bring yours there, you may oversee their foray, and, if yours will then come home with you, repeat the forays untill yours elects to join the Flock.

The first few times, it is normal for the new young Bird to be intimidaed and nervous, whether you raised them, or their biologic parents have...


Phil
Las Vegas