New to owning a pigeon and would like some help !!!

[Gildediwshes]

I have always had an interest in birds for the longest time! I started off with a pet parrot that I still currently own, but switched over to also owning a pet pigeon as well. It has been about a month since I have had him and he is still super scared of me and I honestly would love any tips and advice from people that may know more about pigeon care!! I do have a ton of experience owning a parrot (6 years) but owning a pigeon has truly been a whole different experience and I’m scared I’m doing this wrong due to the lack of information on the internet regarding indoor pigeon care

 

[CCsGarden]

I have always had an interest in birds for the longest time! I started off with a pet parrot that I still currently own, but switched over to also owning a pet pigeon as well. It has been about a month since I have had him and he is still super scared of me and I honestly would love any tips and advice from people that may know more about pigeon care!! I do have a ton of experience owning a parrot (6 years) but owning a pigeon has truly been a whole different experience and I’m scared I’m doing this wrong due to the lack of information on the internet regarding indoor pigeon care

I would keep pigeon seed and water close to him at all times.
Some cuddles with him would help him become closer friends with you. I keep my doves inside too. I'll let them "free range" around the house. They do have there spots, that way there isn't poo everywhere

You set-up looks good, maybe add some more roosting areas and keep him closer to some sunlight?

This is the seed I use for my doves :
Pigeon seed

If I may ask, how did you find him? is he injured?

 

[Gill-b]

It has been about a month since I have had him and he is still super scared of me

I may be stating the obvious to you, but I will state it anyway for those who might not know... it depends on how old your pigeon is and where you got him from, to how long it will take for him to become tame and just how tame he becomes.

I rescued a Turtle dove with a broken wing about four years ago. Age still unknown. Even after all this time, with daily attention, she is now tame enough to get her to sit on my hand (under much persuasion) but nowhere near tame enough to pet. She only lets three people near her and she is terrified of strangers.

Compare her to my Fantail pigeon which I had since a chick, many years ago. She loved to be petted and considered every person a friend.

So have lots of patience.

As far as indoor pigeon care is concerned, I think @CCsGarden has some good advice. I will add that I think it important for pigeons to have enough space (even inside a cage) to be able to stretch their wings. Unlike your pet parrot, it is more important for pigeons to stretch their wings than to have objects of entertainment in their cage, so perhaps avoid cage clutter. Set their perch bar low enough in the cage for the pigeon to fully extend their wings upwards. And yes, Pigeons love to stretch out their wings in sunlight.

 

[Finchbreeder]

Doves and Pigeons are definately a bird that needs to be able to free fly round the house. Make sure that dangers are removed 1st - e.g. turn off fans, cover water containers like sinks and WC

 

[Zenmonkey]

Ha! I just replied to another thread (maybe yours? ) about anyone familiar with parrots will think pigeons are *easy*! Perhaps I spoke too soon?

Pigeons lack any facility to cause you harm, except via allergy / lung irritation via their feather dust, of which there is a lot!

A single pigeon will require significant interaction from you, a pigeon friend or two might be nice. However compared to the demands for company that a parrot can make, entertaining a pigeon is probably light work.

The pigeon needs a mix of seeds and legumes. The one that @CCsGarden recommended looks fine to me, and in pretty certain that she's had a long history of success with it.

I've also fed mine several different chicken feeds, mostly on the recommendation of the gentleman who sold me the birds. But do check the label to see that it includes some Methionine and Lysine if you go that route. Pigeons will consume in the range of about 1 to 2 ounces of quality feed per day, so that 6 lbs bag that CCsGarden linked is a month and more for a single bird.

Pigeons are quite forgiving, both with respect to their care and behaviorally. Spend time with the bird, and likely what you've known with regards to your parrot will apply here as well. The exception being that if a parrot becomes frightened, it can inflict a nasty bite. If a pigeon becomes frightened, flight is is only choice. Keep that in mind, this bird feels that distance is its only protection. If you get up close and personal and it suddenly decides it has made a mistake, it can't warn you off with its beak. A pigeon bite carries less threat than a Bantam chicken bite. That means getting over that initial hurdle of close proximity requires a greater level of trust than with the parrot.

Folks raising pigeons in purpose made lofts can "cheat" a little. Limit the height to 6 or 7 feet, whatever precludes the birds from flying over you easily. Limit the width to about 4 or 5 feet, so there is no easy way around you. The loft can be as long as you like. Now the bird is forced into close proximity, and you can tend to them and be in the cage, and that initial hurdle is quickly over come.

In the home you might approach this, as has been mentioned, by using a large dog crate. Do this for part of the day, or 100% of the time for a week or two. Then allow whatever your normal fee range is (room, aviary, whole house, whatever). None of which is likely necessary, you can just take time, patience and persistence and achieve the same or better effect.

All the best of luck!