Pigeon foster?

[BackyardFarmer4]

I am curious to know if a pigeon could foster a baby bird like a starling or other seed eating birds. Would the babies understand how to eat and would the parents figure out how to feed them. Thanks!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I honestly do not know and have no experience and not heard tell of anyone trying something like you suggest.

My personal opinion is it would not be a good match and the pigeons may scalp and kill the song bird.

Sometimes this happen with some squabs when fancier attempt to foster out orphans.

That is what makes me think a song bird that is not even closely related to a pigeon would stand a greater chance of being rejected.

I could be totally wrong I must admit.

 

[appps]

Yeah I'm with no too. Baby pigeons stick their beaks down the parents throat and they pump the food in. Don't the other types do it the other way round? Picturing photos of babies with their mouths open and the parents beaks in their mouths. So would think the babies would starve because the parents wouldnt be able to feed them that way.

 

[jak2002003]

I am curious to know if a pigeon could foster a baby bird like a starling or other seed eating birds. Would the babies understand how to eat and would the parents figure out how to feed them. Thanks!

No they can not be used to foster starlings, neither can they be used to seed eating birds.

This is because their feeding methods are too different.

They won't learn or adapt. That behaviour is instinct. Also other baby birds get fed as they open their mouths wide.. they will not be able to push their heads into the crop of the pigeon parents.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Now incubating other birds eggs I have heard of with good results.

 

[jak2002003]

Now incubating other birds eggs I have heard of with good results.

Indeed.... I use my king pigeons to hatch out bantam chicken eggs. I use my small rescued feral birds to hatch out quail eggs.

But you have to know the date the eggs will hatch and be ready to take away the young as soon as they dry out. Otherwise the chicks will not have anything to eat.. and sometimes the parents will try to feed them and cover them in sticky goo.