Banded Pigeon Showed Up

[newtimer]

Hi there. There is a banded pigeon that showed up a week ago at my apartment. At first I thought it was a dove. It has been here since last Saturday. Do the owners typically let them out or do they want them back like a missing doh or cat? I'd just like to do the right thing if his/her family is wondering about it. It is tame, but not...meaning people can walk by but can't get right up to it. I know I couldn't catch it alone to get the tag number. All I see is the number 5 on a lime green plastic band What should I do?

 

[WhiteWyan]

Personally I would leave it be. Don't environmental scientists band wild birds to do surveys? It's probably a wild bird, right? Do you have a picture of it that you could post here? Maybe some people here could recognize if it is wild or a specific breed of captive human-raised pigeon.

 

[Hokum Coco]

All I see is the number 5 on a lime green plastic band What should I do?

If you want a pet or know of a pigeon fancier I would trap it with some seeds or shelled unsalted peanuts with a stick, string and a box.

In a perfect world it may just need a bit of sustenance while it gains it's bearings to find it's way home or it may even turn feral and live a fair existence.

Most likely it's fate is sealed in my honest opinion it will either fall prey to something, die of Mal-nutrition, or dehydration.

You may be able to locate the owner through this site if you capture the bird and record the band number.

http://www.pigeon.org/carelostbird.htm

 

[jak2002003]

Can you get a photo of the bird... then you can 'zoom in' on the picture to see the band information more clearly. If it's a dove it might be a wild ringed one.. and you should leave it alone. If its a lost pigeon you can try to contact the owner... see if they want it back... and if not keep it yourself, or find it a home with another bird fancier... or just feed and water it outside.

 

[snowbird]

Most likely a young Homer that was took out for a practice and got lost. Happens a lot to young Homers.

 

[Taysherm]

Maybe you could get a clear picture, or series of pictures, with a good zoom lens? I don't know what you do once you get the tag number though.
I wouldn't think he's in danger though. Pigeons are just fine in the wild.

 

[LamarshFish]

Hi there. There is a banded pigeon that showed up a week ago at my apartment. At first I thought it was a dove. It has been here since last Saturday. Do the owners typically let them out or do they want them back like a missing doh or cat? I'd just like to do the right thing if his/her family is wondering about it. It is tame, but not...meaning people can walk by but can't get right up to it. I know I couldn't catch it alone to get the tag number. All I see is the number 5 on a lime green plastic band What should I do?

WHERE DO YOU LIVE!!! I am missing a few birds, and my birds have lime green numbered bands on them, and #5 is one of my missing birds. I live in the Detroit area.

Lots of people use those colored clip on bands with numbers though, so it's very possible it is not mine, but I'm curious where you're located. There are like 5 different colors, and lime green is one of them. Still interested in what location you are in though!

My birds also have a white band on their other foot with my phone number on them, but I have seen those fall off before....