What to do with a pigeon that has moved in?

Dargo · Sep 6, 2005

On Saturday this pigeon dropped by our house to get a drink in my wife's fountian by our pool. It is obviously domesticated and seems to like people. It is not injured and can fly (Dargo proved that). However, it has now taken to living on a pile of my firewood. I know nothing about pigeons at all, but I thought maybe it may be hungry since it seems to be a pet and may not know how to find food on it's own.

So, I gave it some of our "wild bird feed" in a frisbee and a cup of water. That thing dug in like nobody's business! It acted like it was starved. The cup of water didn't work; it simply flew to my wife's fountain to get a drink, and flew back to the food to continue eating.

As you can see, it has tags on both feet. However, I've called every place I can think of in our phone book, and nobody seems to be missing a pigeon or can help. What do I do? It can fly away at any time, but it is staying on my firewood (and crapping up a storm!). I don't want to take up raising pigeons, but I can't be cruel to it. It will allow me to pet it without trying to take my finger off or flying away. Suggestions?

sneaky_pete · Sep 6, 2005

( Suggestions? )

Grilled, with a little lemon butter. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 6, 2005

( ( Suggestions? )

Grilled, with a little lemon butter. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )


Pigeons and doves are very similar. Can't remember the name of Italian dish, but bone it out and cook with tomatoes, Italian herbs, and serve it over pasta.

Junkman · Sep 6, 2005

That pigeon isn't lost, he is just making a rest stop to build up his strength again before continuing on. They are known as Homing Pigeons. They are set free at one point, and then they are timed as to how long it takes for them to arrive back at "home". Most usually make it in a few days, depending on where they are from and how far away they were released. I don't know how they know where "home" is, but if you look carefully at the bird, you will see a small GPS unit attached to guide him. Just under that unit, there will be another unit known as "On Star". That will unlock the door when he gets home. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

LarryRB · Sep 6, 2005

That pigeon has his leg tagged. It is a homing pigeon that most likely is involved in a race., My X neighbor is big into this. Many a time, one of his pigeons, and others from his club, stopped and stayed at our inground pool. They tire, especially against hard head winds or rain and go to the closest water they can find. Ask around and see who is involved in the pigeon racing in your neighborhood, Those guys are tight knit and even if that bird comes from 500 miles away, a local pigeon racer will come get it and return it to it's rightful owner

JimR · Sep 6, 2005

( ( Suggestions? )

Grilled, with a little lemon butter. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )

Your BAD Pete. The only time I'd eat a pigeon s if I was really hungry. Would your last name be Taylor?

As for the pigeon. It is someone's homing pigeon. You can probably find a website on the net where you could possibly get some help in identifying the numbers on it. It's worth a shot (pun intended) before you eat him.

Junkman · Sep 6, 2005

Bob....... you have the pigeon confused with its cousin, the Cornish hen. They taste the same, and the only difference is in the diameter of the legs. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Sep 6, 2005

Brent,

Can you tell us what's on the tag?
Here's a list of tags for 2005.
http://www.ifpigeon.com/if_band_list_2005.pdf

If you start from http://www.ifpigeon.com you can get a list of all the tags from previous years as well including who owns it.

Brian

DocHeb · Sep 6, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Reminds me of eating at a nice restaurant in Kitzbuhl, Austria. My German classes from twenty-five years ago with the pleasant young waiter - what a crackup! He was trying to explain one of the entrees - "Tauben". He did this by first flapping his wings and bobbing his head. It wasn't until he said "it flies in Venice" - of course, pigeon.

Tasted a lot like chicken.

Dargo · Sep 6, 2005

Thanks Brian. I'll try that when I get in from the road today.

You other guys are wicked! If PETA is watching this, you'll get hate email. Besides, the only shells I have for my 12 gauge are 00 buckshot. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I don't think that is appropriate for pigeon hunting. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif My youngest daughter would have a fit. She is the one who gave it frisbee food.

I wonder if my resident owl will get it? I used to have gobs of those turtle doves (ugly pigeons) around until the owl took up residence. They have thinned out greatly since then. Could the owl (about 20" tall) possibly be what is keeping the pigeon right around my house?! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif