What kind of bird is this?
13Today a very, very tame pigeon sized bird was hanging around the apartment building. Clearly hungry and not scared of people. So I caught it (easily - waited a couple of hours before I did as it never left and appeared to have a clipped wing), put it in a cat carrier, PetSmart gave a cup of food for it (that thing ate for 20 min solid, drank some water and ate some more), and a wild life rescue group came to get it (they will be putting lost pet ads out - I already put 2 out - getting a vet to look at it in the morning…). The women who picked it up from me had no idea what is was, thinking maybe a dove except it is a little bit bigger (that is a medium cat carrier it is in). I looked at a bunch of dove pictures and the tail is all wrong as is the beak.
I was curious if anyone knew what kind of bird this was. Anyone know?
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Google says it’s a pigeon.
Pigeon. Rodents of the sky.
@riotdemon @ruottaurmind
Thanks.
I had though of that but when looking, at least with the photos I saw googling image pigeon, the beak is right with those bumps but the tail is wrong. At least all the photos I saw. Maybe it is a less common breed? Or some fancy breed? It certainly is the size of a pigeon.
PS when I got close to it there was some feather damage which is why I finally decided to catch it. Also we just don’t have birds around here. Bats yes (saw a dead one of those on the pavement last night and I had a dead one on my window sill some months back) and small birds back when management allowed bird feeders (new management threw them all out even though they belonged to someone who lived here - gave him no opportunity to take them out of the ground). Well and back yard bird feeder bait kitty (aka Tigger) too along with acrobatic squirrels.
The rescue group thought it might be some kind of pigeon too, so I had googled after I created this thread. Neither of us could find an exact match.
The girl who picked up the bird from me said the rescue group who then took it from her said they’d get back to her on what it was, they were thinking some sort of fancy pigeon due to its tail. She has spent more time looking and just texted me she still hasn’t found an exact match yet.
You did a good thing.
@Felton10 The rescue people who took it said they’d update me after the vet visit tomorrow. The sucker was seriously hungry (ate for about 25 min straight with one ‘break’ for water) so releasing it to the wild is likely not a good idea since it was a failure at finding it’s own food.
With the busy street, the people who live in my building who are cruel to animals… that wouldn’t have ended well for this bird.
@Kidsandliz Given that you said you live in an area that voted for Trump, they probably would have caught, cooked it and ate it for dinner.
@Felton10 @Kidsandliz I’d fatten it up first before frying it up.
@daveinwarsh @Felton10 It’s pretty plump already. That is the other reason why I figured it was a pet - especially since it wasn’t very successful finding food on its own (based on how long it ate dinner).
@Kidsandliz Fancy pigeon or maybe even a lost racing (homing) pigeon?
Decades ago, I had an uncle who was heavily into homing pigeons. They looked like ordinary pigeons, although some had fancy colorations. They also were very tame, having been handled and doted on by their owner. (I think his even answered to their names?) All of his had leg bands, but that was a long time ago. I don’t know if modern racing pigeons still use leg bands or whether they’re chipped.
If you pick up a racing pigeon and compare it with a common pigeon they’re much heavier (maybe 2x or more) and somewhat plumper. When they race, they come back with ravenous appetites. A fraction of them never come home, presumably from accident, injury, weather or just getting lost.
You might have someone’s beloved did-not-finish.
Also, I just remembered a cardinal rule of racing pigeons, only let them eat until they stop for water. Otherwise they’ll seriously overeat.
I second the comment that you did a good thing!
@mehcuda67 I found a racing pigeon leg in the backyard. Just the leg and band. At least his owner found out why he didn’t come home. Poor little guy.
@mehcuda67 I’ll pass that info about eating on to the wildlife group that has it and also see if they can get it checked for a chip. He/She has wing feather damage so can’t fly due to that (not wing clipped) and since it takes around 4 months for that to heal they are going to keep it in a large bird coup and not release it in the winter (well unless an owner comes forward).
He/She was pretty plump across the chest so maybe a racing one then. Tail though is wide and big. I looked at fancy pigeons (google images) and none had a tail like that although they have breed some of them to look really, really weird.
How many miles, typically, are pigeon races? If there is some typical number we can expand the search for an owner to be sure to include those areas.
@Kidsandliz Generally first year birds fly in races from 85-300 miles. More experienced birds go up to 600. Just like people, there are birds who like fast, short races and ones that like long, slow races. Some super athletes pop up from time to time that can do both. My uncle had a couple of proven 700 milers. It looks like most modern club races are doing 85 - 420 miles. So if it’s a racing pigeon, your radius could be pretty big. On the other hand, the birds from high-performing bloodlines can be worth $thousands, so there might be a reward… I’d be thrilled if your act of humanity netted you unexpected reward money.
@sammydog01 Aw, that is sad! Though racers are stronger than normal pigeons, they still can be taken down by a determined predator. I imagine hawks find the steady, level flight an enticing target.
@Kidsandliz I just had a thought - A lot of pigeons are raced through clubs. They get a bunch of birds from their local region and transport them to the starting point of the race to release them. Though the birds fly back to their own roost, they will tend to keep the race to birds from a limited area so that the race has meaningful results (similar weather and distances). If you look for the schedules of races that started a couple of days before you found the bird, whose start point and end region make a path that crosses near your home, then you have a pretty reasonable number of candidate owners. I’ll bet they announce their race schedules and locations online.
@mehcuda67 I have called so far one racing club in state. He is the one that told me if this bird races once it can fly again it will fly home. And I have emailed the closest (not one in town) fan tail pigeon club. The club I emailed last night and asked if he could post to the group this bird so I’d imagine I’ll get an answer today some time - although it could well be the owner isn’t in the club. However if no owner is found we might be able to place the bird that way.
If it is a racing pigeon, is it possible the bird has a microchip instead of a missing band?
@LaVikinga I will suggest to that group to check for a microchip if they haven’t already as so.
Very unique looking pigeon, actually kinda pretty with the tail and coloration.
@Star2236 I thought is was unusual too. The tail is pretty cool looking.
Fantail pigeon?
If so, probably a pet and not a racer as they are bred for looks.
There are some pictures here (or google):
https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Pigeons/BRKFans.html
@mwgm Oh my gosh I think you are right. I think he is an Indian Fantail. Thank you! The tail really looks like a couple of them. This one has some tufts of feathers on his lower legs like the Indian fantail (sort of a mess at the moment but then so are some of his other feathers) and their tails, when not spread out, look like this one’s tail. And some of them have some similar markings. They are putting him (well who knows what sex) on a couple of lists and hopefully his owner will see one or more of the listings so he can get back to his family.
@Kidsandliz @mwgm Hmmm, I hadn’t noticed the feathered feet. I wouldn’t expect it to be a desirable trait for a racer, because anything that causes drag could be a disadvantage. Those fantails are some interesting looking birds!
On the other hand, my uncle bred for over a dozen physical, talent and personality traits, but not for looks (at least not overtly). But sometimes one of the birds he bred turned out to be a beauty as well, and he seemed tickled when it happened.
@mehcuda67 @mwgm I am pursuing both routes - racing and fantail pet club routes trying to find the owner - although if it is a racing bird that sounds self solving once he can fly again. If nothing else through the fantail club hopefully we can find this thing a home if the owner can’t be found so it doesn’t spend the rest of its life alone in a backyard bird pen where it is right now.
@Kidsandliz @mehcuda67 Might be a cross between Indian and American. His colors are pretty similar to this guy:
It could explain why its feet are not as feathered as other Indian fantails (yet stands normally).
http://jacobboydaviaries.blogspot.com/2011/06/caring-for-fantail-pigeons.html
They seem to live on average 20 years (and can reach 40) so I’m sure its owner would be very appreciative of you rescuing it. If they won’t find the owner, as there are clubs, breeders and all I’m sure someone would like to adopt it (I hope).
Looking less and less like a racer to me, although that would be far more exciting
@mehcuda67 @mwgm Gosh thank you so much!! I forwarded the article with care information to the wildlife place. They are willing to rehome through a fantail club for a small donation to cover mite meds, vet check and food if the owner can’t be found.
@Kidsandliz @mehcuda67 @mwgm Maybe if you put a link to the wildlife place’s website someone would donate to them for the little guy’s expenses.
@mehcuda67 @mwgm @sammydog01 I texted them to find out how they fundraise since I couldn’t find that information on their facebook page. Their website looks like it is still being built so there isn’t much there at all. I’ll post when I get an answer back. I texted that it would make sense to have information on their facebook page and website when they finish it about how to donate. I was told that the director isn’t working today as her grandson is having surgery. Hopefully I’ll hear back tomorrow sometime.
@mehcuda67 @mwgm @sammydog01 I have received a response from them. There is a form that needs sent with donations (unfortunately no paypal - the check is made out to them, is tax deductible as they are a registered non-profit). As soon as I have the form, which I will screenshot so I can upload, I’ll post the information.
So far despite him being listed various places (and I went around to all nearby places that people live and posted some signs) no owner has come forward yet although someone did give more detail about what, exactly, he needs fed so that is a plus. I sure hope he finds his owner since these birds strongly bond to their owner - not to mention his owner would be missing him.
@Kidsandliz @mehcuda67 @mwgm @sammydog01
Prob no need to scan the form.
Since they are incorporated as a non-profit, I guess if we just have the name, address, and phone number, anyone here who’s interested can research them a bit, and figure out how to contact them to donate, if that is the intention.
@f00l @Kidsandliz @mehcuda67 @mwgm A link to the Facebook page would do.
@f00l @mehcuda67 @mwgm @sammydog01
@f00l @mehcuda67 @mwgm @sammydog01
For those who want to help with the pigeon
They only accept checks. You make them out to:
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and put “donation only” (so you are not becoming a “member” of that organization) in the memo area along with it is for the pigeon’s expenses.
Mail it to (this is the vet they have an informal partnership with so ignore the address on the form as they prefer it to go to the vet’s office):
North State Street Vet Hospital
5208 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39206
Facebook page is:
https://www.facebook.com/Wildliferescueandrehabilitation/?ref=page_internal
Be aware that their website is almost completely under construction if you follow that link. The facebook page is more useful. If you want to contact them use facebook to send a message and not the email on their webpage.
Here is a screenshot of the form that they asked me to have anyone who donates fill out. Check donation only. If you want the actual pdf whisper me and I can email it to you at whatever email address, one time use email address, whatever, you want it emailed to. Again ignore the address given on the form as they want the checks to go to the vet’s office. Also they use this form for all sorts of things so obviously some of what is on there isn’t relevant.
He was moved to a bird rehab person from the house of the person who picked him up from me. He is doing well so far and apparently walked around the livingroom like he owned the place. Still no one has come forward to claim him.
@Kidsandliz “Walking around the living room like he owns the place” That is bad. That is what Walter does all the time now.
@Felton10 You want another bird? Then Walter will have a buddy.
@Kidsandliz We explored the possibility of getting a companion for Walter many years ago when we were young (who am I kidding we were never young) and stupid and were told by many people that birds do not like other birds as companions.
@Felton10 I know little about birds and didn’t realize that. Thanks for that info. I guess I need to ask on one of the fantail forms if this is the case with this kind of bird too. It that is true with these too that would certainly widen with whom he could be placed.
@Kidsandliz Perhaps once he can fly again he would fly home, he had to get somehow to your building, the way back should be similar in distance…?
I don’t know, don’t think I’d ever get a pet which isn’t a mammal, so can’t contribute much as to how to find someone who would.
@mwgm He’d unlikely fly home as fantails can’t fly very well. I have signs up all over locally. There are people who get tired of pets and just set them loose too.
@Kidsandliz My wife met someone on Facebook who has a 13 year old cockatoo named Boo. We are talking about getting Walter and Boo together for a play date as they seem to have so much in common (They both control their owners and have the run of their respective houses).
And yes having a bird for a pet is totally unlike having any other type of pet. At least you don’t have to go through the grieving process when the pet dies every 12 or so years, but there is a good chance that the bird will outlive you (as in our case) and you then have to deal with that.
@mwgm We may have tracked down a vet (someone’s son) who has a large fully enlosedarea enclosure a pond, ducks, other pigeons… She hasn’t gotten back to me if he will take it the bird if it’s owner doesn’t come forward. Seems to me that would be a good solution outside of someone wanting an indoor bird as a pet. This thing clearly was someone’s pet and is used to a lot of human attention and so being adopted as that kind of pet, in my personal opinion (although I had no say now, the wildlife place does) would be best case.
@Kidsandliz Sounds like a good solution to me. I have no doubt the wildlife place would to what’s best for him. I mean, they rescued him, right?
@Kidsandliz @mwgm Don’t mean to be a Debby Downer but it all depends on if they put out food for the birds. A bird that is kept as a pet isn’t used to scrounging around for his own food nor is he used to having competition for the food put out for him or her. Plus it depends what they have been feeding him-he may be used to human food like Walter is and I am sure if he gets hungry enough he will eat bird food like he did when you got some from the pet store for him.
@Felton10 @mwgm I’d presume since the area is enclosed and the owner is a vet the odds are high they feed them. I’ll ask. Still haven’t heard back though so it may be a moot point.
@Felton10 @mwgm PS and I actually have no say since I only found him and they have him. I just am trying to help find the owner and since they mostly deal with wild life, not pets, finding potential options to replace him in a home to increase the number of options. I’d seriously doubt they’d put him back in the wild though since fantails has trouble flying and it would likely be a death sentence.
@Kidsandliz any news?
@mwgm No one claimed it and it is still at wildlife rehab.
@Kidsandliz @mwgm We at least he is still be taken care of thanks to you finding him and doing the right thing. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who for what ever reason release pets into the wild thinking they can fend for themselves. For any pet not used to getting its own food, that is a death sentence.
@Felton10 @mwgm
I know… My friend who rented a room in a house that burned down was feeding 3 ferals. They will starve to death too as they have been fed for nearly 4 years. I am going down there every couple of days and dumping a bunch of food under the abandoned house they live under and am trying to get the group that does fix and release to fix and release to a feral colony elsewhere as I can’t afford (gas, wear and tear on the car or cat food) to feed them for life. I am planning to spread out the feeding so they will be forced to do some hunting. Hopefully that will help them get better at it without initially having no back up.
@Kidsandliz at least it has a temporary home and is being taken care of thanks to you
@Felton10 @Kidsandliz if they used to be ferals, they can probably go back to it, no?
@Felton10 @mwgm They are feral in the sense that they live outside and no one owns them, are only sort of socialized… They are not feral in that this batch has been fed their entire lives.
@Felton10 @Kidsandliz well, cats are known to hunt for fun without eating their prey (which is why I don’t like cats), being feral, maybe they did hunt and now are able to sustain themselves? I hope they’ll make it. Or maybe some other good soul would start feeding them.
@Felton10 @mwgm In that neighborhood I doubt anyone else would feed them. I am slowly weaning them off of being fed so that hopefully they will hunt for food. Lots of overgrown lots where houses have been bulldozed. I am trying to get them fixed so that no more babies.
You are very kind to do that. Even though we hopefully have many years left to “enjoy” Walter’s company, you never know these days. I doubt when our son takes him (hopefully), he will have the freedom and choice of foods he has with us. After being pampered for so long, don’t know how he would react to being treated as a bird.