I Wish I Spoke Pij!

[valeri]

Ever since we've been medicating Chauncey twice a day, he's showing (oddly enough) an incremental desire to get closer to us when we're working in the office. Up until now, he's been content to sit on our high bookshelf all day, only coming close to us or back to the cage for food.

In the past few days, he's flown down to our work table mid-day, stayed (at arm's length) or slept close by to us on top of his cage. He's also walked across my husband's keyboard multiple times, and checked out everything I've been eating or drinking at my computer station.

This is a first. In the evening, when he's back in his cage, he's doing this little parading routine with me. Can anyone tell me what it means?

I talk to him from outside the cage and he walks around in circles, then charges toward me at the cage bars, sometimes cooing, sometimes not. I know I've seen feral pigeons do little circling routines with each other. This is a bit different, but could it be that he's warming up to us? Or is he telling me something else?

My husband thinks Chauncey realized that the worst that happens when we handle him is that he gets a little grape-flavored liquid to drink.

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by valeri

Ever since we've been medicating Chauncey twice a day, he's showing (oddly enough) an incremental desire to get closer to us when we're working in the office. Up until now, he's been content to sit on our high bookshelf all day, only coming close to us or back to the cage for food.

In the past few days, he's flown down to our work table mid-day, stayed (at arm's length) or slept close by to us on top of his cage. He's also walked across my husband's keyboard multiple times, and checked out everything I've been eating or drinking at my computer station.

This is a first. In the evening, when he's back in his cage, he's doing this little parading routine with me. Can anyone tell me what it means?

I talk to him from outside the cage and he walks around in circles, then charges toward me at the cage bars, sometimes cooing, sometimes not. I know I've seen feral pigeons do little circling routines with each other. This is a bit different, but could it be that he's warming up to us? Or is he telling me something else?

My husband thinks Chauncey realized that the worst that happens when we handle him is that he gets a little grape-flavored liquid to drink.

LOL, He's warming up to you, flirting and curious about what your doing at that desk now. All good things. Pigeons are very smart and nosy. They want to know what their "mate" is doing and where they are at all times. The circling and strutting is "look at me!" The charging is "your mine!"
Have you tried scratching around his head and neck? They love it, that's affection to them

[doveone52]

That is so sweet!

[Trees Gray]

It is an honor and a privilege when they become comfortable around us. That means you are considered an equal and you can enjoy his/her company when he/she feels like it. If this is a male he will no doubt think he owns the place and will allow you to share his territory. It is a compliment to you that he is healthy and adjusting to a human world.

[spirit wings]

yes he is starting to look at you as his flock. progress.

[valeri]

Yay! Thanks! I was hoping this was a move in the right direction. His moves had the feel of affection, so I figured it was probably a good sign.

Another great thing that's come of the medication routine is that my husband has bonded a bit more with Chauncey. He's always liked The Chauncemaster (as he calls him). But I've been the one cleaning, handling, etc. When he's is in town now, he's helping me, restraining Chauncey, comforting him. And we've learned that Chauncey is actually more comfortable and less squirmy being handled by him.

re: Scratching around his head. We just started doing that. He looks at us like we're abjectly nuts. And he flinches noticeably with any hands coming near his head. But we'll keep trying. I know we're not pigeons and we have to keep that in mind.

[starlinglover95]

once he gets used to ya'll he'll love it. all 3 of mine love it and sometimes come looking for me to scratch their heads. congrats with him

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by valeri

Yay! Thanks! I was hoping this was a move in the right direction. His moves had the feel of affection, so I figured it was probably a good sign.

Another great thing that's come of the medication routine is that my husband has bonded a bit more with Chauncey. He's always liked The Chauncemaster (as he calls him). But I've been the one cleaning, handling, etc. When he's is in town now, he's helping me, restraining Chauncey, comforting him. And we've learned that Chauncey is actually more comfortable and less squirmy being handled by him.

re: Scratching around his head. We just started doing that. He looks at us like we're abjectly nuts. And he flinches noticeably with any hands coming near his head. But we'll keep trying. I know we're not pigeons and we have to keep that in mind.

Start near his back and work your way up to his neck and back of head, don't go straight at his head

[SPedigrees]

I forget how Chauncey came to you, Valeri, but I wonder if, in his past, a girl might have gotten hold of him and abused him. Especially in light of the fact he has shown more trust in your husband, and has been more suspicious of you. But it certainly sounds like you have won him over!

I imagine my bird, Hedwig, was handled a bit by her former owner, because she was quite tame when she came to us.

I was thinking, like others, that it is unusual for a pigeon to be so afraid of human contact, since pigeons seem to be rather trusting birds, easy to tame. So perhaps there is a reason, something that happened before you adopted Chauncey.

Anyways it is so great that he is coming around. If he is doing his strutting, walking in circles routine for you, he's definitely decided you are "ok."

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by SPedigrees

I forget how Chauncey came to you, Valeri, but I wonder if, in his past, a girl might have gotten hold of him and abused him. Especially in light of the fact he has shown more trust in your husband, and has been more suspicious of you. But it certainly sounds like you have won him over!

I imagine my bird, Hedwig, was handled a bit by her former owner, because she was quite tame when she came to us.

I was thinking, like others, that it is unusual for a pigeon to be so afraid of human contact, since pigeons seem to be rather trusting birds, easy to tame. So perhaps there is a reason, something that happened before you adopted Chauncey.

Anyways it is so great that he is coming around. If he is doing his strutting, walking in circles routine for you, he's definitely decided you are "ok."

It could also be that her husband is more relaxed than she is. If she's worried or tense Chauncy might sense that. But it sounds like their winning him over - and he WILL OWN THEM - LOL

[valeri]

Yep, my husband is always more calm than I am! I'm just more nervous by nature. He's super cool and relaxed. He works in a high-pressure job and they call him "the ice man" because he can stay so centered when craziness surrounds him. I'm sure Chauncey picks that up.

But I do also wonder about Chauncey's background. I mentioned this in another post, but when we took Chauncey for his first vet visit, the vet said that the ferals she treats are a lot more tame than Chauncey. She let him out of the carrier to see how his movement was, and he just panicked. It surprised her. She had to turn out the lights to calm him down. I thought perhaps this was typical of a racing pigeon who wasn't handled much. But it has occurred to both of us that maybe he wasn't handled well. Or as SPedigrees suggested, maybe even abused or treated roughly. Or . . . maybe at one time cared for by a male owner. He showed a preference for and calmness around for Hugh from the start. But he talks and coos to me, not to him. Funny, huh?

(SPedigrees: We got him from a fellow volunteer at our wildlife hospital. He had been hanging around a house that didn't want him, so they handed him off to our friend. She was over-loaded with rescues so we offered to help find him a home. And here we are, almost three months later -- with our "pet" pigeon. lol. He wasn't traceable. He got out of her house once and came back to her. So I'm not sure if he would have gone "home" if given a chance. That's about all we know about our poor little guy.)

We have a lot of experience with abused domestic animals (cats, dogs). They usually come around with time and patience and love. I hope that Chauncey starts to feel more and more safe here. I won't expect miracles but I'll be so gratified if they occur.

I still want to create a better cage home for him. I think that will help, too.

Thanks, as always!

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by valeri

Yep, my husband is always more calm than I am! I'm just more nervous by nature. He's super cool and relaxed. He works in a high-pressure job and they call him "the ice man" because he can stay so centered when craziness surrounds him. I'm sure Chauncey picks that up.

But I do also wonder about Chauncey's background. I mentioned this in another post, but when we took Chauncey for his first vet visit, the vet said that the ferals she treats are a lot more tame than Chauncey. She let him out of the carrier to see how his movement was, and he just panicked. It surprised her. She had to turn out the lights to calm him down. I thought perhaps this was typical of a racing pigeon who wasn't handled much. But it has occurred to both of us that maybe he wasn't handled well. Or as SPedigrees suggested, maybe even abused or treated roughly. Or . . . maybe at one time cared for by a male owner. He showed a preference for and calmness around for Hugh from the start. But he talks and coos to me, not to him. Funny, huh?

(SPedigrees: We got him from a fellow volunteer at our wildlife hospital. He had been hanging around a house that didn't want him, so they handed him off to our friend. She was over-loaded with rescues so we offered to help find him a home. And here we are, almost three months later -- with our "pet" pigeon. lol. He wasn't traceable. He got out of her house once and came back to her. So I'm not sure if he would have gone "home" if given a chance. That's about all we know about our poor little guy.)

We have a lot of experience with abused domestic animals (cats, dogs). They usually come around with time and patience and love. I hope that Chauncey starts to feel more and more safe here. I won't expect miracles but I'll be so gratified if they occur.

I still want to create a better cage home for him. I think that will help, too.

Thanks, as always!

Have you ever posted a picture of Chauncy?
The reason I ask is because I went to a show recently and was looking at the different pigeons for sale. There were some there that were beautiful - a little different than the typical homer, I can't remember the breed but I think it was some type of a "high flyer". The breeder was telling me that they are a little more skiddish and flighty than the other breeds. (that's why I didn't get a pair). Maybe that's what Chauncy is. Just a little more high strung?

[valeri]

Originally Posted by Msfreebird

Have you ever posted a picture of Chauncy?

There are some pictures on my profile page. Can you tell anything from those?

[Jay3]

I'm very happy for you Valeri. We told you he would get better. Just takes time to trust. And you need that before you can build a relationship with any animal. This is a great update, and I'm sure there will be more as things go along. Have fun building your relationship with Chauncey. Well Done!

[Msfreebird]

Originally Posted by valeri

There are some pictures on my profile page. Can you tell anything from those?

I'm not good at different breeds, but I can say that he's one good lookin guy, spoiled and looks very content