Putting Female w/ Male Pigeon - Need Help

[LeeAnnB]

I have a male white homing pigeon, Louie, who has lived as an "only" bird for three years. He seemed to have taken as his mate his own reflection in a mirror. I have felt sorry for him for quite some time, and decided to find a friend for him. I felt very fortunate in being able to find a non-fertile older female white homing pigeon to be a companion to him.

At first they just looked at each other, and kept to their own ledges. Then last night she made a move to fly over to him, and he pecked her away. Then he took over "her ledge", and she wound up down on the floor of the aviary, looking frightened. At least there was food and water down there, but I don't think she had any.

This morning we removed the mirror so Louie would see the real bird as his mate, rather than the "bird in the mirror." I tried to restore her to "her ledge" where she has felt comfortable enough to eat and drink food and water I put there for her.

But Louie flew over and attacked her -- her wing is bleeding a little as a result. Now she's above the ledges on a perch, and I'm worried that she's been without food or water since the trouble began. And I don't know how she's going to feel safe enough to eat with the way Louie is acting. She's a small, sweet pigeon, and he's larger and acting mean and aggressive, so she's no match for him.

What should I do? Is it normal for pigeons to act this way? Do you think Louie will come to accept her, or has he spent too much time on his own to be able to form a bond with a real bird? I really need some help with this.

LeeAnn

[TAWhatley]

Hi LeeAnn,

You can try placing the female in a cage inside the area where Louie is. This will keep her safe until they get used to one another. It isn't unusual for a pigeon to "defend" his territory when he or she feels an intruder is present. The cage approach has worked well for me as has placing both birds in a larger enclosure and placing a barrier between them. It usually doesn't take too long for them to decide to be friends.

Terry Whatley

[WhiteWingsCa]

Terry's ideas are good, and should work/ Louie is just defending his territory -- it's what male pigeons do. Once he gets used to the female being around, he'll be fine, I'm sure.

I would like to ask though -- how do you know the female is "non-fertile"???? Hens can and will lay eggs for a very very long time, and are capable of raising babies for years and years. In "non-fertile" pigeon pairs, it is 99% of the time the male's "problem", not the female.

Just wondered -- wouldn't want you suddenly finding you're a grandparent unexpectedly.

[bigbird]

The above advice is right on.
In addition, become friends with the new female, show the male that she is becomming a part of the flock.
Carl

[LeeAnnB]

Thanks very much Terry, WhiteWings and Carl. How about if I put Louie in the cage inside the aviary instead of her? That way she can get used to the larger enclosure while he's getting used to her.

WhiteWings, the lady I got Lacey from has been raising White Homers for years for her white dove release business. She's very knowledgeable and has many birds, and told me the only reason she was letting me have this particular bird is because she's not fertile. She had owned this bird for years without any eggs hatching. I'm reasonably certain that I can trust her expertise on this.

LeeAnn

[WhiteWingsCa]

Originally posted by LeeAnnB:
She's very knowledgeable and has many birds, and told me the only reason she was letting me have this particular bird is because she's not fertile. She had owned this bird for years without any eggs hatching. I'm reasonably certain that I can trust her expertise on this.

LeeAnn

LeeAnn:

I won't say the woman is wrong -- but, if the hen has been laying, but no eggs hatching, then, as I said, there is a 99% chance that it was the MALE, not the female that was in-fertile. So, once she gets used to Louie, if there are any eggs, you might want to check them after 5-7 days, to see if there are any babies growing. Otherwise, in 19 days or so, you might have a couple of surprises! LOL

btw -- I too have many birds -- over 250. I too raise white birds. I also consider myself pretty knowledgable -- I'm just warning you that is still COULD happen!

[LeeAnnB]

WhiteWings,

Well, I'm hoping the lady tried her with different males before giving up! My husband isn't much of a pigeon enthusiast - he thinks I lose all my common sense when it comes to these birds -- but he's been willing to accept the idea of two. If babies showed up, though -- yikes! I will check any eggs that show up.

LeeAnn

[LeeAnnB]

Just an update to let you know Louie and Lacey are now totally in love; frequently kissing and grooming each other. Louie seems to be a much, much happier, less aggressive bird. You all were right; he just needed time to get used to having a companion.

[TAWhatley]

That's great news LeeAnn .. glad to hear that Louie and Lacey are now a happy couple!

Terry Whatley

[pigeon4ever]

im glad that they are a pair now.
sooner or later they will be laying eggs and your going to be a grandparent!