Feral Pigeons and pet doves?

[Geranyl]

Well, I've gotten the baby pigeon that hatched on my balcony used to me, but he is still part of the flock. However, I do feed him and let him ride around on my arm at times.

I know that soon he'll become even more independent (already a bit over a month old), and likely not want me handling him.

Anyway, I fell in love with the pigeons on my balcony, and was thinking of buying a pair of doves for inside my apartment.

Q: will the ringneck doves be at danger because of the pigeons in the close vicinity? I'm worried about diseases/parasites transferring over.

-on a funny note: this morning I found some of the balcony pigeons in my house! They managed to figure out how to open my sliding screen door to get to the seeds I had laid out to feed the baby the next morning (as he came begging as usual).

[dano7]

I believe you would have the same concerns as any pigeon fancier would have if outside pigeons, especially wilders, interact with their home birds. Which is to say if your pet doves come in contact with outside birds, the doves are vulnerable to whatever the outsiders may actively have or carry.

Airborne contact may be of very low risk. The main thing is sharing the drinker, the food, or the doves stepping the pigeon droppings. From what I've seen, the doves won't look to associate with pigeons.

[This message has been edited by dano7 (edited May 13, 2004).]