Just for the record, when I say tame I actually do mean tame.
It is possible to have tame birds in the loft, and I wanted to point this out because I personally think a pigeon can be as charming a companion as any parrot. In fact, I like Brooklyn (my tame feral) better than any parrot I ever worked with - he is as affectionate as any hand-fed cockatoo!
I don't use food to train or tame my birds, just good old fashioned TLC, love, and snuggling. Brooklyn, my most tame bird, literally follows me around, snuggles under the bed covers with me, showers with me, comes when called, and is by my side whenever possible - following me devotedly throughout the house, yard, and neighborhood without enticement or coaxing. In fact, he is on my head as I write this...
The rest of my flock range from tame to "docile". None are as tame as Brook, but they will happily hop on a outstretched hand, like being pet, kissed, and will sit quietly in the house on my lap or next to me (or my dogs) on the sofa without being restrained. Some will come to me for attention without any coaxing. Brooklyn and the old frill hen will both fly directly from the loft to inside the house.
My "docile" birds are basically birds that react very calmly to my presence and allow me to gently pick them up and handle them without squirming or fussing. My WOE Tumbler and Buda Hen are docile birds, I can handle them easily but thy will calmly walk out of my way when I am in the loft. However, my Buda babies, black ancient hen, budapest cock (The Horrible Friedman, LOL), and Classic Old Frill are tame and seek my attention of their own accord. It's not hunger - they have food available all day. I really think the isolation during quarantine and daily attention from me really helps them to become "pets" and not just wild loft birds. Just wanted to let people know it is very easy and very possible to have tame pet-quality pigeons. That's what I breed for actually, and I chose breeds with generally docile temperaments so I could produce birds that could be kept in the home as a pet just as easily as they could be put in a loft or shown.
Best,
Kari Jo