Rescued vs Birdnapped? Pink Pigeon?

[pinkypigeon]

I found a pinkish looking bird that resembles a pigeon on the beach in Massachusetts. I felt it may have been out of it element and may not survive in this cold. I first thought he was a tropical bird due to his (crest) feather on the back of his head sticking up in the air and his unusual color. I approached bird and he seemed to stumble a bit and looked a little tamer then a wild bird due to him letting me pick him up. I brought him home and he seems to like my dogs old crate and wild bird seed and water. I have spoken with the Massachusetts Audubon Society and they recommend based upon my story of event I keep this bird for the winter and then in summer free him in a park where people generally feed birds. So I am not sure if I had rescued this bird or taken him away from his environment. Would some one like to see a picture of this bird to help identify his breed so that I may better care for him during the cold winter? I could E-mail picture.

[Reti]

Thank you for rescuing this little bird.
I am not sure of what you are describing is a pigeon.
A picture would be great. Can you post a pic so more members can give their input?

If he is eating, drinking and feeling cofortable in his crate that is good sign.
But, a bird who lets himself pick up is either sick or very tame, and in either case not releasable, at least for now.

Please, keep us updated on this little one and if possible post a pic with you next post.

Thanks
Reti

[AZWhitefeather]

Many thanks for helping out this bird.

"Would some one like to see a picture of this bird to help identify his breed so that I may better care for him during the cold winter? I could E-mail picture."
A picture would be wonderful. You can attach the picture here on the site by scrolling down to, & clicking on 'Manage Attachments'. Instructions will follow.
If, for some reason you are unable to post your photo, you can email it to me at: AZWhitefeather@aol.com & I will be happy to post it.

Cindy

[pinkypigeon]

Here is a picture if anyone knows what kind bird it is so that I can care for him appropriately

[AZWhitefeather]

It appears to be a fancy pigeon of some kind. Very striking bird.
By all means, do not release him.
Does he have any bands on his leg(s)?

Cindy

[AZWhitefeather]

There is some reason this bird has allowed you to catch him.
Does he appear to have any visible injuries?
How do his droppings look?
Could you gently open his beak & check to see if there is anything type of obstruction in his mouth/throat? His mouth should be nice & pink.

Until you know what is going on, I would suggest placing a towel lined heating pad, set on low, under him. In the event he isn't feeling well or may have a injury, the heat will help greatly to maintain his normal body temperature.

Please let us know how he is doing.

Cindy

[pinkypigeon]

No identification band but if you look at one of its legs you can see some type of brace/cast? It looks like it made of brown suede or leather and wrapped with heavy duty string. I wasn’t sure it was a messenger bird at he lost his message. I am all new to bird lingo but it looks like it is tame and was cared for from someone. The item described looks as if it is unwrapping from its leg and the I was thinking maybe it was a sort of cast someone made and intended for it to fall off after a period of time after they released the bird.
I can only guess to what it may be and what may have happen to him. Pinky is growing on us and we would be very happy to assist him during the winter. He seems to be smiling al the time.

As far as dropping go he had a lot of clear liquid ones with a streak of green going through them. He is now producing more typical one I see on the street White with black in the middle.
I will give him a better examination when I get home. What do you think about the brace/cast?

[Pigeonpal2002]

It looks like a tumbler or a roller pigeon to me. They are just a special type of pigeon that performs acrobatictics in the air. I must say though, that bird looks like it's been dyed. I wonder....if someone has purposely dyed this bird for some sick practises. Could also just be my computer monitor. Please keep this bird, warm, dry and calm for now and see how he/she responds. Do not release this bird as others have said.

[maryco]

Hello,

Looks like the pigeon is dyed with pink dye, I remember we had another member here that posted a picture of a pink pigeon (a homer I believe).. Let me see if I can find the post..

- Edited: Here is what I came up with:
http://starbulletin.com/96/10/07/features/story1.html

From this thread:
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showth...referrerid=636

[pinkypigeon]

I was wondering at one point if it were a racing type bird maybe someone dyed him so that they could identify it from the others during races. But I dont know the practices of sporting birds and what is acceptable in the sport.
I will see if I can get some of the pink to rub off on a cotton swab to test if maybe it is dye.

[AZWhitefeather]

"What do you think about the brace/cast?"
I doubt that it is a cast. I'm thinking more on the line of some sort of identification.

Although I have a couple fancy pigeons as rescues that have become members of our family, I'm not versed on the different types of bands.
I've never heard of the type you have described. Are there any numbers, letters, etc., on it?
Perhaps others with more 'band' experience can help identify what this is.

He definitely is not a releasable pij.
Something to think about, pigeons make wonderful pets.

Cindy

[pinkypigeon]

I will get a close up picture of that thing on his leg tonight and post tomorrow along with the results from my home examination from the advice given by all who have assisted me and the bird today I am sure he/she is also grateful. I was willing to consider keeping the bird as a pet if it was in the best interest of the bird. It is sounding as if it is the right thing to do at this point.

So I guess it was a rescue rather than a bird napping then!

[Reti]

Cindy, I just wrote you an email, please disregard. I wrote before checking the site (it' still too early for me-LOL).
Thanks for assiting pinky in posting the link.

Beautiful bird.

If you don't find the owner, please consider keeping the bird as a pet. Those birds don't live in the wild, so releasing him would not be an option.

Thank you for caring for this sweet lost baby.

Reti

[pinkypigeon]

I just got an email from a professional I sent a picture to and I posted it below. Is this person stating the bird is a common rock pigeon?
I must say I have looked at the rock pigeons pictures and I cant see he resembles one. I do not have experience and would not want to discredit anyone’s information but do you guys think the bird is a rock pigeon?

Dear Michael,
This is a Rock Pigeon, formerly known as Rock Dove. They come in
some standard colors and they also have some unusual colors such as this
one.

Birders' Exchange
American Birding Association

[Reti]

As far as I know, all pigeons are descended from Rock Pigeons. So, maybe that is what he is refering to.
But, I am pretty sure what you have there is a breed.
We have several members very knowledgable with the different breeds, so I hope somebody will let us know what this beautiful bird is.

You can also make a google search for show pigeons, maybe you find something that resembles you pigie.

Reti