Thread: Pigeon Rescue

So, I am sitting at my bench in the garage talking to Geezer and I look down and there is a huge pigeon giving me the eye.

Richard and I discussed whether the bird was ill or lost. I encouraged him (the pigeon) to leave but he rather liked where he was and kept coming back.

When I could view the legs he had bands on both. Richard said he must be a competitive homing bird and had gotten lost.

I called the local Racine Racing Pigeon club and talked to a rather surly fellow who said I had to get the numbers off the red band. After digging out some rather heavy leather gloves I corralled the beast and then realized I couldn't hold on to him and write down the numbers. After getting help from the Swiss Miss I had the info, more calls, left messages, etc. I was contacted by Fred who said it was his pigeon.


The bird had been in a 150 mile race Saturday and had gotten dehydrated, hungry, disoriented and lost.

After catching the bird again, I placed him in a recycle tub with water and safflower seed.

Fred will be down to pick up Fred Jr. tomorrow morning. The red on his wing is Fred's name.

My friend, Fred Jr.

You did a good deed Dave,, you kept him well hydrated, looks like he was vegetarian fed, nice and plump ,,,,,

You're lucky. A year ago I found a racing pigeon. Because my father used to raise them I knew how to handle the bird. Contacted the local club and found the owner. He could not be bothered to drive from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale to get the bird. I gave it food and water hopeing it would regain its strength and fly home. No luck. The poor thing died two days later. I sent a strong email to the club and owner voicing my anger with no reply.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

You did a good deed Dave,, you kept him well hydrated, looks like he was vegetarian fed, nice and plump ,,,,,

I've eaten my share of dove but never tried squab.

Thanks for the details!! Was wondering....................
Cheers
~Richard

Lucky for the owner that I did not find that pigeon. I would have cut the band off and let the bird be a bird. I'm not a fan of such practices. If "races" such as this one are so exhausting, then they should not be happening. I raised a lot of orphaned pigeons on the farm as a kid and always allowed them to come and go as they pleased once they were old enough to fly.

That said, Good job Dave!

I am happy to report Fred Jr. is on his way home.

A friend of Fred, the owner, picked him up yesterday and said a lost pigeon is not uncommon.

I learned the following:

Fred Jr. should have been named Fredericka. Yep, she is a girl.

She was born this spring and is about 3/4 grown. That will be one big pigeon at maturity.

My concern about our resident red-tailed hawks was unfounded. They rarely eat pigeon. Peregrine and Cooper hawks are the main predators.

A local business man just paid $6000.00 for a champion. It will not be raced again but will stand at stud. And I thought razors were expensive.

I agree with Ron's position but do not have the facility to keep a bird.

Finally, a good news story.

As us geezers remember...Paul Harvey's saying: ...that folks, is "The rest of the Story!"
Thanks!
~Richard

Yea I've rescued Pigeons too. Rescued them into their afterlife.

I hate Pigeons.

TBS, such a party pooper! I love pigeons. Hope to one day be able to keep a few. Some came to visit me on my holiday.
Why do I have such trouble with pics?