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FOUND PIGEON
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thank you for being here
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read this first
Many vets and charities euthanize healthy pigeons for no reason. There are places for him to live if you can not find his owner - yes, even in your country.
is the pigeon tired and not moving?
The pigeon may be very thirsty from not having water for a couple days, or flying a long distance.
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getting started
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The most important thing that you can do is give the pigeon food and water. Even if you don't see the pigeon, keep putting food and water outside for him for a couple days. He may need it, and it will encourage him to stay close by.
water
Water should always be in a dish at least 1 inch or 2.5 centimetres for his beak, which he uses like a straw.
food
types of food
treats
If the only food you have today is bread, tap it with your finger as if it is a beak so that he knows the bread is food.
allow the pigeon to come inside
To keep the pigeon safe from predator attacks from animals like hawks, owls, seagulls, rats, and cats, encourage him to come inside your home or garage. Leave your door or window open, and put some seeds and water nearby. If you have other pets, you can put them in the bathroom or a closet while the pigeon has time to come inside. Pet pigeons and racing pigeons are used to being inside, so they will usually come in on their own.
"I called his owner, and they told me to leave him outside"
The pigeon is probably hungry, tired, and thirsty right now. He is also vulnerable to predator attacks. If you think it is best, you can bring the pigeon inside to rest, and then give him a chance to fly home early in the morning tomorrow. He may also choose to stay there if he knows he is too lost to fly home. He may want to stay inside if he is hiding from a predator.
is the pigeon staying with your chickens?
Chickens may gang up on the pigeon and attack him. Please give the pigeon an area where he can be safe away from the chickens.
are you on a boat?
The pigeon will probably stay on the board until you reach land. He may fly away when you are at the shore, or he may decide to continue living on the boat.
Pigeons found on boats are almost always lost racing pigeons. If possible, try to connect with his his owner. You can try to find a local rescue in one of your destination countries. If you are unable to find help for him, just continue giving him food and water on the boat.
poop
His poops may be loose and runny for up to a day, if he did not eat while he was lost. If his poop stays runny longer, this may be a sign that he has a health problem.
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release doves
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what release doves look like
Release doves are all-white pigeons that are release at a ceremony, such as a wedding.
leg bands or bracelets
Release doves may or may not wear a leg band or bracelet
If he is wearing a band, the colour may represent his birth year. If there are two or three numbers, this number is how his owner tells him apart from other pigeons in the same year.
A long number may be the owner's phone number.
other types of all-white pigeons
Pet pigeons and large king pigeons (meat pigeons) are also all white. On very rare occasions, all white pigeons are born outside, due to genetics. Some towns have large flocks of all-white pigeons, due to a company that releases wedding doves and does not train them to fly home.
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pet pigeons
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what pet pigeons look like
A pet pigeon may look like a regular city pigeon, be all-white, or have a unique style.
A pet pigeon may still be shy around people.
leg bands or bracelets
Pet pigeons may or may not wear a leg band or bracelet
The band may be a plain colour, a racing band, or a custom leg band made just for the owner.
A long number may be the owner's phone number.
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racing pigeons
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what racing pigeons look like
Racing pigeons usually look like a typical city pigeon, but they may be a different colour, or have white spots. They may have a large cere, or white part of the beak. Their head shape may also be a sign that they are a racing pigeon.
leg bands or bracelets
Racing pigeons are usually wearing leg bands or bracelets.
letters
The letters on a racing band usually stand for a national pigeon racing club or the owner's loft name. The found racing pigeon is usually from your country, or a country near you. On very rare occasions, pigeons are found on another continent, such as pigeons from the UK being found in the USA. They may have travelled by boat.
numbers
Four numbers usually are the year that the pigeon was born in. Some owners use a different band colour every year instead.
If there are two or three numbers, this number is how his owner tells him apart from other pigeons in the same year.
A long number may be the owner's phone number.
the controversy about returning racing pigeons
why people say you should return racing pigeons
Some owners see their pigeons as pets, and let them choose to go outside to fly for exercise daily. The owner may also drive and release the pigeons to fly home in short races.
why people say you should never return racing pigeons
Some rescuers have seen abuse to pigeons by competitive racers who race for money. Some rescuers have also seen or heard stories about pigeons who are killed for "failing a race" by getting lost.
what most rescuers experience
Most rescuers who post online about finding a banded racing pigeon have difficulties contacting the owner, including inaccurate contact information, or phone calls and messages not being answered.
Sometimes rescuers talk to the owner, and they decide that it is a good home to return the pigeon to. These owners usually live close by and treat their pigeons as pets.
Sometimes rescuers learn that the pigeon became very lost, and he is too far away from home to fly back. This happens most often during sun storms.
Sometimes the pigeon is a house pet, and the owner gave him a racing band for identification in case he got out of the house by accident.
what can you do?
You can try to contact the owner, and ask questions to determine what kind of care the pigeons recieve at home. Do you think it is a good home for the pigeon?
An owner who cares about his pigeon will make an effort to find the missing pigeon, and be willing to drive or pay for the cost to get the pigeon back.
colours
The colour may represent his birth year. Every owner uses different colours for different reasons.
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how to find the owner
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The best way to find a pigeon owner is to search both in real life and online.
If you are worried that someone may lie in order to steal the pigeon and sell him, you can just say "I found a bird" or "I found a pigeon". The person who is his real owner will have photos of him, or be able to describe his appearance.
in real life
paper posters
Lost pet pigeons usually turn up close to home, so one of the best things you can do is tape up handmade "found pet pigeon" posters in your area. You can put these on light posts. They will also be seen community bulletin boards at the local grocery store, coffee shop, church, or community centre.
talk to neighbours
If you feel comfortable talking to your neighbours, you can tell them that you found a pigeon (or a bird) and you are looking for the owner. They may know about someone who lost a pigeon.
vets
A local vet may cared for the pigeon as a patient. If so, they may be able to help connect you with the owner.
online classifieds
24 pet connect - international posts for missing pets
local online classifieds
tip: include all spelling abbreviations and common misspellings in your posts and searches.
example: "Alberta, Alta, AB"
Make a post about a found pigeon or found bird on your local city or town's facebook group
There are also facebook groups in most areas for pigeon rescue or animal rescue.
There are also local groups for hobby pigeon owners. For example, there are three groups for pigeons just in Chennai, India
search terms
international groups
Search the international facebook groups for previous posts from your city, country, state, province, or any regional names
Wild Pigeon Rescue and Rehabilitation
www.facebook.com/groups...
International Pigeon Rescue and Adoption
www.facebook.com/groups...
Palomacy International Group
www.facebook.com/groups....
lost racing pigeon websites and groups
uk
uk: found and lost racing pigeons group
usa
www.pigeon.org/pages/lostbirdinfo.html
canada
https://www.pigeonfanciers.ca/...
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what to do if you can't find the owner
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how to find a new home for the pigeon
find local charities and rescue groups
pet adoption websites
are you interested in adopting the pigeon?
If you are considering adoption, there is no rush to make a final decision. You can keep him for a little bit, and see how he fits into your life.
Someone you know may also be looking to adopt a pet pigeon.
are your parents not sure about adopting the pigeon?
Most parents want more time to relax. They may change their answer if you show them that you are able to clean and care for the pigeon on your own, without them reminding you to do it.
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thank you for being here
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www.helpifoundapigeon.com