Baby Pigeon still squeaks....is it releasable yet?

[Margaret1621]

Hello,

I live in New York City. Around 2 1/2 weeks ago I found a baby pigeon on the side of the street, I took him home and have been caring for him with the hopes of returning it to the wild. He eats seeds and has most of his feathers in (has a few quills under the wings and around the head) He is on my fire escape in a large dog cage with a small carrier in it for protection from the elements (I don't want to bring him into the house because I want him to remain as wild as possible) Pigeons come and visit him (really they come to eat the seeds that he scatters all over and he squeaks out of control and flaps his wings. I thought it might be okay for him to be released, but when I released him today he ran over to the first pigeon he saw and jumped on it, while squeaky and flapping his wings and tried to feed from its mouth. Luckily he went back into the carrier so I was able to catch him again. Do you think this means he is too young to be released at the moment? (I am guessing yes) If so, at what age, generally, are they releasable? Thank you so much for any advice.

[cyro51]

Hi Margaret,

While he is turning to adult pigeons for food he is too young for release, but before he is released he will also need time out of the carrier to develop his flying muscles and his flying ability.. Is there a room in your house where he could fly free for a couple of hours a day? I use the bathroom (toilet pan closed, all breakables removed form shelves) because it is the easiest room to clean afterwards.

Cynthia