Hello everyone, I've had my Sverdlovsk blue-grey mottle-headed for about a month now. I was told before I adopted her that she had an unusual coo, a low woo-woo-woo (that sometimes trills up an octave into what sounds like an alarm?). Lately, I've noticed that in her sleep, she makes the typical cooing you would expect in a flock of pigeons, prefaced by those guttural two half-notes. It makes me wonder, is she dreaming of her old flock? We suspect that she was a racing pigeon because of the pink highlighter under her wings and likely kept with many other birds. Is she distressed from being separated from them? Will she ever come to see us as her flock? Thank you.
BreezyBlithe
We have rescued a feral and former racing birds as well. They seem quite happy if provided with a friend. If you have a female, another female or male will likely work out. Two males will not get along. We had one severely injured feral who became an only bird because of internal injuries. She was our beloved family member for eight years. If you have just one bird you have to be their flock...we spent hours with her every day.
No , we do not know what coos mean, we can only guess. I would say learn pigeon behavior and not put human behavior in it.
I’m guessing but I do not think pigeons live or think in the past, animals usually live in the moment in as , basic instinct and security, procreating, food and water sources , and comfort. And of course defense as they are sought as prey from predators.
I’m guessing but I do not think pigeons live or think in the past, animals usually live in the moment in as , basic instinct and security, procreating, food and water sources , and comfort. And of course defense as they are sought as prey from predators.
pigeon behaviour
dear breezyblithe,-I am trying to imagine your/her environment..my pigeons do-not coo while sleeping,--they are in hibernative sleep,ie.controlled breathing,bp,everything..while on one leg/foot.--if- [disturbed] let you know they were sleeping.-pigeons are generally vocal-and there is a hierarcy-so just watch them-see what,s going on...ladygrey say,s it best-they live for the moment,and an outcome.ie[nesting].and self preservation.-sincerely james waller-
dear breezyblithe,-I am trying to imagine your/her environment..my pigeons do-not coo while sleeping,--they are in hibernative sleep,ie.controlled breathing,bp,everything..while on one leg/foot.--if- [disturbed] let you know they were sleeping.-pigeons are generally vocal-and there is a hierarcy-so just watch them-see what,s going on...ladygrey say,s it best-they live for the moment,and an outcome.ie[nesting].and self preservation.-sincerely james waller-
She is free to roam around the apartment and generally favours a planter on a high shelf in the corner of the living room. She also has a parrot cage in the living room where we put her to bed, but she'll take naps throughout the day and be active well into night, shuffling around in the covered cage until half past 10p.m. The typical coo sometimes comes out during the after-dark naps.dear breezyblithe,-I am trying to imagine your/her environment..my pigeons do-not coo while sleeping,--they are in hibernative sleep,ie.controlled breathing,bp,everything..while on one leg/foot.--if- [disturbed] let you know they were sleeping.-pigeons are generally vocal-and there is a hierarcy-so just watch them-see what,s going on...ladygrey say,s it best-they live for the moment,and an outcome.ie[nesting].and self preservation.-sincerely james waller-
We picked this spot because it's the largest space in the apartment, with a counter separating it from the kitchen and two hallways extending out of it. I've also considered setting up her home base in the quiet solarium, which is so filled with plants it hardly has room for the cage. Maybe it would be a better place for her to sleep, but I worry about her feeling lonely. Occasionally, she finds her way back there and seems content to spend hours. Then again, she's never been able to find her way back out on her own.
Hope this helps you help me! Thank you!
pigeon habitat
dear breezyblithe,-you must have a very understanding landlord,-lets hope it stays that way..--I love that picture,lovely bird--I have 4-that look just like her,,there is a lot to know about health-and-care,-you are the first responder-not a warning just a fact..the internet,and pigeon talk library are your best options for information..--great job.--sincerely james waller
dear breezyblithe,-you must have a very understanding landlord,-lets hope it stays that way..--I love that picture,lovely bird--I have 4-that look just like her,,there is a lot to know about health-and-care,-you are the first responder-not a warning just a fact..the internet,and pigeon talk library are your best options for information..--great job.--sincerely james waller
Different coos
Hi Sasha,
A gorgeous bird you have there! I am a rescue/rehabilitator of pigeons and racers (SWWAHumane Society send their rescues to me) as well as have a flock of 200 white homers for all types of events release that are trained to return to our loft. Yes, birds do have memories and recollections of their previous homes, families, habits, and including abusive or very kind handlings. Sadly it is the human species that discount the capabilities of other species. So it is quite possible that your new roommate is pining somewhat or something caused it stress. I too notice at times that the rescued doves/pigeons in my loft have more emphatic cries out in the night for the traumatized bird may not always recognize its surroundings and it can take some time for adjustment. Your dove may bond with you over time and become very emotionally dependent on you. If you have another one for it to bond with, it will be less dependent on you emotionally because it has company in its own species (just like us humans - they too are gregarious (of animals) living in flocks or loosely organized communities). I did have one dove named Elf that only preferred me (acted like I was her chosen mate because she was abandoned by young parents and pecked so severely that she feared other birds and would become very aggressive towards any that came near her or into her box. Elf would fly and land upon my head, hand or shoulder whenever she saw me. Curiously I have one named Precious, and she is extremely small and is a "shrinking violet" until a dove gets in her space. Her leg was broken by an extremely large male that sat too heavy on her the first week of her life. So had to remove her and feed her by hand. May I ask how you actually came by your beautiful bird?
Hi Sasha,
A gorgeous bird you have there! I am a rescue/rehabilitator of pigeons and racers (SWWAHumane Society send their rescues to me) as well as have a flock of 200 white homers for all types of events release that are trained to return to our loft. Yes, birds do have memories and recollections of their previous homes, families, habits, and including abusive or very kind handlings. Sadly it is the human species that discount the capabilities of other species. So it is quite possible that your new roommate is pining somewhat or something caused it stress. I too notice at times that the rescued doves/pigeons in my loft have more emphatic cries out in the night for the traumatized bird may not always recognize its surroundings and it can take some time for adjustment. Your dove may bond with you over time and become very emotionally dependent on you. If you have another one for it to bond with, it will be less dependent on you emotionally because it has company in its own species (just like us humans - they too are gregarious (of animals) living in flocks or loosely organized communities). I did have one dove named Elf that only preferred me (acted like I was her chosen mate because she was abandoned by young parents and pecked so severely that she feared other birds and would become very aggressive towards any that came near her or into her box. Elf would fly and land upon my head, hand or shoulder whenever she saw me. Curiously I have one named Precious, and she is extremely small and is a "shrinking violet" until a dove gets in her space. Her leg was broken by an extremely large male that sat too heavy on her the first week of her life. So had to remove her and feed her by hand. May I ask how you actually came by your beautiful bird?
"Also, this isn't related to the original inquiry, but will the routine of putting her in the cage for bed and while we're away help her get used to being handled? Will she come to associate us with safety without constraint? If not, I am content to keep her free all the time unless necessary. "
It is best that she has a cage or cubby that allows her to know that it is her home and a safe place where her food and water and comfort things surround her. If she feels threatened or frightened as she becomes accustomed to her new surroundings it gives her a place of familiarity and she then will know it is her special place to retreat to if necessary. Just like you and I need our own home or bedroom, she does too. You can certainly let her have open fly time, but unfortunately, clear windows are not recognized to their limited eyesight so they will fly towards windows as if they are open and that can be a real hazard to her. Also they see so poor in the dark that if they try to fly they will look drunk. They have extremely poor night vision and if awaken will spook and fly and can get injured. Hope this helps a bit.
It is best that she has a cage or cubby that allows her to know that it is her home and a safe place where her food and water and comfort things surround her. If she feels threatened or frightened as she becomes accustomed to her new surroundings it gives her a place of familiarity and she then will know it is her special place to retreat to if necessary. Just like you and I need our own home or bedroom, she does too. You can certainly let her have open fly time, but unfortunately, clear windows are not recognized to their limited eyesight so they will fly towards windows as if they are open and that can be a real hazard to her. Also they see so poor in the dark that if they try to fly they will look drunk. They have extremely poor night vision and if awaken will spook and fly and can get injured. Hope this helps a bit.
I have two recent additions to my indoor flock. They are 100% wild (feral). I found them under the Santa Monica Pier in mid-July around 11:30 PM. This is the part of the pier that isn't meant to be walked under because it's where the surf covers the entire area available to walk in at high tide. Apparently, these two birds had fallen into the surf and had (luckily) been rolled out by the incoming waves.
Sometimes I sit here at low tide and I listen to the cooing that never stops, always coming from a different perch or nest tucked away in the rafters. There are probably a couple hundred wild pigeons in there.
The two new additions also coo in the middle of the night. This occurs at anytime. It can be 10 PM, midnight, or 4 AM. When one coos, the other coos in response, even though they're in separate "boxes," and in the dark, and even though they're not really friendly with each other during the day.
On a sidenote, my main, who I've had since Nov 6, 2016, looks at them more like a curiosity. I have noticed that animals that live with humans (who treat them well) develop an expanded intelligence because they stop focusing on survival and the need to escape all the time. The domesticated creatures learn to interact with humans well but lose the capacity to interact with wild counterparts.
Sometimes I sit here at low tide and I listen to the cooing that never stops, always coming from a different perch or nest tucked away in the rafters. There are probably a couple hundred wild pigeons in there.
The two new additions also coo in the middle of the night. This occurs at anytime. It can be 10 PM, midnight, or 4 AM. When one coos, the other coos in response, even though they're in separate "boxes," and in the dark, and even though they're not really friendly with each other during the day.
On a sidenote, my main, who I've had since Nov 6, 2016, looks at them more like a curiosity. I have noticed that animals that live with humans (who treat them well) develop an expanded intelligence because they stop focusing on survival and the need to escape all the time. The domesticated creatures learn to interact with humans well but lose the capacity to interact with wild counterparts.
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