Are they 'pets'?

[DuckiesPLZ]

Hello, I'm trying to get an outdoor pet bird! But I'm looking for something that is a bit more friendly! Like, sit on my shoulder or something. What are doves and pigeons like?

PICTURES WELCOMED! They're so cute!

 

[FarmCoe]

I'd say you need a chicken. Pigeons are great, but they aren't as... Pet-like. If you want a bird to sit on your shoulder, eat out of your hand, and follow you around, get a chicken. Pigeons are more ornamental.

 

[nxd10]

I like the pigeons, and find them fascinating.

But my chickens are really great outdoor pets. Our standing joke in the house is that chickens have all the personality of parrots (which we have) but at a tiny little fraction of the cost. If you want smaller ones, try bantams. They're very cute and you can bring them inside if you diaper them (or keep them in a pen).

 

[punk-a-doodle]

For a tame tame pigeon, you pretty much have to hand raise. Then, they can be pretty awesome. Some breeds (parlor rollers, mookees for sure, lahores, etc) are known for being tame though. Chickens would be easier to get a tame bird though.

 

[peepblessed]

Pigeons and doves will get tame if handled a lot as they grow, but if you free them they become sitting ducks for cats and hawks, etc.

 

[Lofty Dreams]

I like the Silkie doves the one that I held seemed very friendly and coulndn't fly it just sat on me.

 

[usschicago1]

I have 3 ringneck doves. 2 females and male. The male is the friendliest bird I ever raised! He flys to me, loves to sit on my arm, and loves to be petted under the neck! I consider him my pet and enjoy him more than my chickens.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

http://www.youtube.com/user/PigeonsAsPets

This is cute

Lots of good pigeon/dove videos.

 

[deerman]

I took a homing pigeon(10 days old) let my son hand feed it. He could walk to school with it on hios shoulder ,then he would fly home. My son had him for many years. So hand feed a pigeon or doves , make alot better pet than a chicken. IMO

 

[cochinGurl]

I think pigeons make great pets, and can tame down wonderfuly. I had a stunning Serbian high flyer named Lucky who was hand raised. him and his friend Dalilah, (later re-named the more apropriate "Dale" LOL) would follow us all around the yard and land on us, always wanted to be around us. SO sweet and friendly! great birds!