A very unexpected surprise...

[Year of the Rooster]

This beauty just showed up in my neighbors yard this evening and I have no idea where it came from! I can't tell the difference between a dove and a pigeon but I know that this is definitely a domestic bird. It is very friendly and was starving! I gave it some wild bird seed for now and it is currently in a large dog kennel for the moment being. I know nothing about pigeons/doves so can anyone tell me what kind it is? and how I take care of it? Gender would be a plus too

I would really love to keep it!

It's very friendly and beautiful. I am also thinking that it is albino maybe? It has bright red feet and its eyes have a pinkish color to them.

 

[nzpouter]

it's a ringneck dove... quite a young one too.

You can give it small seed mix, wheat, rice, canary mix... check your local store if they have dove mix as well..

 

[hungryhensfarm]

He's beautiful.

 

[Patchesnposies]

I don't really know what kind it is or what gender, but it does look like a very sweet, lovely bird!

How did you capture it? Was it so hungry it was weak? It isn't hurt is it?

My husband had a thought. He wondered if it might not be one of those birds that folks use at special occasions, like a wedding or funeral or something where they release many or sometimes a single dove. (Or is it a pigeon??!!)

It would have to be a white pigeon, right? Because they fly home again after. This little white bird might have gotten lost or something.

What do you think?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Thank you!

Sorry to ask, but how do you know if he's really young? Or if in fact it IS a "he"?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

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That's what my neighbor thought because it is the end of the year and there are graduation parties. There was also somebody that recently just got married.

As far as I know, the only thing wrong is that it lost some feathers. It was very hungry and thats how I found it. I saw a flash of white land on the ground and I knew it wasn't something native. I slowly walked up to it and it didnt fly away so I tried to pick it up. It was verrrry calm and let me hold it. That's when I knew for sure it wasn't wild.

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:
Thank you!

Sorry to ask, but how do you know if he's really young? Or if in fact it IS a "he"?

from the look of the feathering around the beak... and no, not sure if it's a he, they're one of those things that's a tad difficult to sex. The male have a very soothing coo... we use to put bachelors on either side of the house so they call to each other.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

If there is a Tractor Supply Company near you, they sell a special seed mix that says it's for doves and other ground-feeding birds. I bought some yesterday for our pigeon and he loves it. Other places may also sell it, but that's where I bought ours.

I ended up with a white pigeon in a similar way. He showed up where my sister works and the owner of the business had already called animal control to come get him. They have no place for a pigeon and didn't know what to do with him. Because I have chickens, my sister called and asked me if I would come get him before animal control took him off to put him to sleep.

He is friendly and stays right in our yard. He is free to leave, but seems to like it here. He actually did leave for a few days one time, but came back so I guess this is now his home. He hangs out near our chickens, puffs his chest out, and coos at them. He loves showing off for the chicken "ladies."

Good luck with yours!

 

[thewarriorchild]

A dove is a pigeon

Keep him warm and does he have a leg band?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

No leg band.

Some neighbors a couple houses down found another one. Same kind too. Since I already have the chickens, I gave the pair to my neighbor across the street. She said she would take them and loves birds like these. I know she'll take good care of them.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I have never dealt with doves/pigeons before.