Lone pigeon

[cavemanrich]

It is difficult determining a pigeons' exact age. (at least for me).
On older pigeons the cere seems to grow larger. In your picture, the cere is somewhat on the small size.
I would take a guess that it may be around 1 year old.
Here is how I come up with that.
If it is a feral pigeon, it is in its early years. Ferals usually don't live much longer than 3 or 4 years. Reason for short lifespan,,,,, Nutrition in the wild is limited.
If it is a loft runaway, than most-likely a young one that had difficulty finding home.
Loft raised pigeons can live 15 years or longer.
Generally speaking, older birds prefer to fly less than young ones. This is from my experience when I had young ones, and some seasoned ones. The young ones loved to fly. The seasoned (senior citizens) just flew a little and then chilled in my treetops. or rooftop.

 

[Sherri1990]

It is difficult determining a pigeons' exact age. (at least for me).
On older pigeons the cere seems to grow larger. In your picture, the cere is somewhat on the small size.
I would take a guess that it may be around 1 year old.
Here is how I come up with that.
If it is a feral pigeon, it is in its early years. Ferals usually don't live much longer than 3 or 4 years. Reason for short lifespan,,,,, Nutrition in the wild is limited.
If it is a loft runaway, than most-likely a young one that had difficulty finding home.
Loft raised pigeons can live 15 years or longer.
Generally speaking, older birds prefer to fly less than young ones. This is from my experience when I had young ones, and some seasoned ones. The young ones loved to fly. The seasoned (senior citizens) just flew a little and then chilled in my treetops. or rooftop.

Thank you for explaining. She seems very young. She is only coming down to eat and drink then going straight back to her rising area. She looks at me and watches what I am doing but she isn’t visiting me. Is this normal? She doesn’t appear to be sick and still has a good appetite. The human in me sees depression but I could be wrong. I wish she could talk! Any ideas?

 

[Sherri1990]

She came back!!!! She is tired and hungry... but she is back! She made it a point that I saw her

I’m a little concerned. Dovie is only coming down to eat. She isn’t trying to fly or anything. Before she took her little trip she woukd stand on the roof or lay on our porch rail. She seems very reluctant to come down. I looked for a nest and there is nothing. She acts like she is hiding. What’s going on with this little bird?

 

[biophiliac]

Thank you for explaining. She seems very young. She is only coming down to eat and drink then going straight back to her rising area. She looks at me and watches what I am doing but she isn’t visiting me. Is this normal? She doesn’t appear to be sick and still has a good appetite. The human in me sees depression but I could be wrong. I wish she could talk! Any ideas?

Put a pan of bath water out for her, she may very well be attracted to it. A cat litter-sized plastic bath with a couple inches of water tends to draw them in.

 

[Sherri1990]

Well it’s been 2 months since my Dovey arrived. She stays up on my porch and eats drinks and bathes there. She comes down to see me and will get within 2 inches of my hand. I was soo afraid when we started construction on my porch today that she was going to get scared and leave. She just got out of the way. My heart nearly melted when I went up to the porch and she was looking right at me. There have still been no sign of other pigeons and she doesn’t seem to be interested in leaving.

 

[biophiliac]

What a sweet bird! I bet she would learn to take peanuts from your hand. Break them in half and toss them close to you at first. Use unsalted peanuts.

 

[DenverCityCat]

I started at the start of this Pandemic when a lone Pigeon flew into my garage trying to escape from a hawk (The Hawk was thinking of flying in too)- I fed him some toast & we quickly became friends & I named him Cooper-

Not knowing what to feed him I tried various things (he likes Peas too) When outside he seemed to just want to stay close to me always looking for hawks- After about 2 1/2 months I decided to look on Craigslist & find him a few friends- He seems way happier! I now have a total of 6 pigeons & just had 2 eggs from a pair that paired up. I never realized they were so smart & loving!

Thanx to this Forum & the many kind people, I'm way better educated. I now mix my own food up. I'm still learning as I go but I love it!!

I've had alot of pets in my life, & I have to say, Pigeons are super high on the list of greatest pets. I live in the city, & I see Pigeons everywhere but mostly wild I guess. I really enjoy watching them where ever I go.

Cooper is still my favorite & I know he really loves me! Perhaps some things in life are just ment to be sometimes.

 

[Sherri1990]

I am obsessed with her. I want her to have a friend. We are so far away from any other pigeons

 

[cavemanrich]

Well, I don't know exactly, where you are located, but I'm sure there are some pigeons available. You may have to travel a stretch go get one. I also do not know of your ability and means to travel.
If you were to keep another pigeon as a companion pet, I suggest getting another hen.
Here are my thoughts on it.

Build a safe loft for the new pigeon. Try to get a squab that is young, and not flown. (somewhat harder to determine sex at that stage, except in sexlinks like @biophiliac mentioned on certain pigeons)
Reason for choice of hen.... You are not sure of gender of your Dovey. 2 hens will get along just fine. 2 cocks may not, and fight.
Having one of each gender is ideal if it happens.

 

[Sherri1990]

I have An unrelated question. It’s getting down into the 40s tonight. She sleeps in our rafters on the porch. I am worried about her being cold. Will she be alright? All the more reason she needs a friend thank you for your advice on btw