Banded Pigeon Found - Assistance Please

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Ordering Pen's Flight Suit today from Avian Fashions! Today Pen ate treats (sunflower seeds) from my hand for the first time, but no patting still. Pen does love to perch on us though. Pal looks on and coos from time to time, but they don't really hang out together that we have seen.
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Awww... so sweet!
I have a Marans roo that wants to sit on my shoulder, he's too big tho and falls off...

 

[biophiliac]

It's interesting that Pen prefers to sit on one of us or next to us, but Pen doesn't want to be patted or touched. Pal, on the other hand, likes to be scratched and patted, but has never voluntarily l

Each of your birds is a little bit unusual in their own way. Most homers neither land on people nor enjoy petting without special training or conditioning. That said, its a bell curve I think and pigeons are just smart enough to display a lot of individuality along the spectrum.

People are always asking : How can I get my bird to let me pet him?, or:How can I get my bird to fly to me? You have both!

 

[Kusanar]

My pigeon gets no contact with anyone but me and he seems to think I am his girlfriend, however, I am still not allowed to touch him... He will grunt and smack me if I try.

 

[3bird]

Each of your birds is a little bit unusual in their own way. Most homers neither land on people nor enjoy petting without special training or conditioning. That said, its a bell curve I think and pigeons are just smart enough to display a lot of individuality along the spectrum.

People are always asking : How can I get my bird to let me pet him?, or:How can I get my bird to fly to me? You have both!

It's crazy! Pen just loves to be sitting on one of us most of the time, while Pal is happy to be patted but needs to be coerced (usually with treats) to sit on our hand or arm. Pal did have a nice long bath the other day--almost fell asleep in it, it seemed. lol

 

[3bird]

So this comes as no surprise to me, but Pen doesn't like to go back into his enclosure at night. What are your tips, tricks and strategies for getting your pigeons to go back in after a day of free ranging? Pal thinks it's hysterical to watch by the way.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I'm no pigeon expert....
I'd say food. Find that special treat Pen loves and save it for bed time. Bribery can go a long way.

 

[biophiliac]

Right now I have a bird recovering inside in a cage from a wound. I'm thinkig of letting her loose inside but she is so skittish(really the only one of my orig 8 who still flees from me) that I know it will be near impossible to capture her if she doesn't WANT to go back in her cage.
That said, your birds are different so my thoughts...

Can I assume that you are able to grab and hold Pen from your shoulder or head? If so just establish a time and put Pen in the cage. If not and Pen evades you, try making it dark. Like chickens, pigeons are easier to grab when roosting at night.

If you want her to go in voluntarily you will have to discover a suitable bribe.


Tell more about Pal's reaction?

 

[3bird]

Can I assume that you are able to grab and hold Pen from your shoulder or head? If so just establish a time and put Pen in the cage. If not and Pen evades you, try making it dark. Like chickens, pigeons are easier to grab when roosting at night.

If you want her to go in voluntarily you will have to discover a suitable bribe.


Tell more about Pal's reaction?

Pen (who we are now thinking, as you suggested, is a M) will sit on my arm or head for hours. When I leave the room, he wants to follow. But he doesn't like to be held or patted or snuggled. So attempting to grab him is always a bit of a game. He gets treats as soon as he goes in, but that doesn't seem to be helping.

Another challenge is that sometimes we put him in after an hour or so of free flying in the morning. For example, if my wife is away, I can't be in the studio all day, so I go in for an hour+ several times throughout the day to let them out. As such, the dark trick won't always work, but that is something we'll try at night for sure!

Pal just seems amused watching me doggedly follow Pen around the room as I'm trying to catch him to put him in. I hope Pal is not learning that is a fun game. ;-)

 

[WVduckchick]

Are you giving them access to feed while they are out?
I was reading about withholding food... in a way that doesn’t starve them, but makes them receptive to your commands and teaches them that they can trust you. Just for a couple weeks until they get the idea.

 

[biophiliac]

Pen (who we are now thinking, as you suggested, is a M) will sit on my arm or head for hours. When I leave the room, he wants to follow. But he doesn't like to be held or patted or snuggled. So attempting to grab him is always a bit of a game. He gets treats as soon as he goes in, but that doesn't seem to be helping.

Another challenge is that sometimes we put him in after an hour or so of free flying in the morning. For example, if my wife is away, I can't be in the studio all day, so I go in for an hour+ several times throughout the day to let them out. As such, the dark trick won't always work, but that is something we'll try at night for sure!

Pal just seems amused watching me doggedly follow Pen around the room as I'm trying to catch him to put him in. I hope Pal is not learning that is a fun game. ;-)

Some fanciers use a long handle net to catch birds out of reach in the loft. Or can the 2 of you drop a sheet over Pen and grab him that way? Pal should find these options even more amusing!

Are you giving them access to feed while they are out?
I was reading about withholding food... in a way that doesn’t starve them, but makes them receptive to your commands and teaches them that they can trust you. Just for a couple weeks until they get the idea.

Control of feed is used to train pigeons. It might work if they were not fed in the morning before being let out. The problem is some birds are willing to miss or delay a meal in exchange for their freedom and they might not want to wait until Pen gets really hungry.
About half my flock comes right in at the food call and the other half strolls in when good and ready. I could do better by restricting the feed more.

@WVduckchick - How are your new pigeons settling in?