Pigeon? in my yard, think it's not wild...

[jossanne]

I have a pigeon (I think) in my yard this week that I think is not wild. It came flying down when I was feeding my chickens this morning, and landed where we feed the cats. It let me get about two feet away before it flew off. There is a guy a couple miles away from me with a bunch of pigeon varieties, and I wonder if it's his. Can anyone tell me what it is? And how to catch it so I can take it to him?

This is not the actual bird, but a photo I found online that looks just like it...

 

[Lozuufy]

Do you have any pen/cages you could trap it in? I think the easiest way to catch it would be to sprinkle some seeds in a cage and right outside the door of the cage so the pigeon starts eating the ones outside the cage and then goes inside. When trapped most birds fly strait up so if the entrance to the cage is low/small enough it will take a moment for the pigeon to figure out where it is. Pigeons are smarter than allot of other birds and it might figure it out quickly, so be ready so go over and close the door.

If it roosts somewhere where you can catch it at night that is the easiest time to catch it.

(I typed this kinda fast, sorry if it doesn't make sense)

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have a pigeon (I think) in my yard this week that I think is not wild. It came flying down when I was feeding my chickens this morning, and landed where we feed the cats. It let me get about two feet away before it flew off. There is a guy a couple miles away from me with a bunch of pigeon varieties, and I wonder if it's his. Good guess feral pigeons are usually not that colouration.. Can anyone tell me what it is? It looks like a homing pigeon but it could be any number of breeds And how to catch it so I can take it to him? Milk crate or box stick and string

This is not the actual bird, but a photo I found online that looks just like it...

 

[jossanne]

We live out in the boonies, with lots of big trees around us, and I haven't been able to see where it's roosting. Wish I could figure that out. As far as a little cage or trap, I'm sure we could rig one up. I thought it was a homing pigeon, based on photos I found online, but wasn't exactly sure. Thanks for your advice, both of you!

 

[Weehopper]

Look for a band first. If it is not banded, it probably is not domestic.

 

[jossanne]

I've been to the home of the guy I know who keeps pigeons, and he's got so many birds that are not banded. When I was up close to this bird, it was not banded, but I don't think that particularly means it's feral. I have never seen a pigeon flying here in my fourteen years until I saw this one.

 

[DuckyGaze]

This happened to me once also. A pigeon was in our yard and did not fly away and it looked alot like the picture above you posted..
We were able to just pick it up and there was a band on its' foot but also a wound on its' chest.

I was able to track down the person the pigeon belonged to and he lived over 1000 km from me. He was way down in the USA and I am way up
in northern Quebec.

The pigeon sadly died the next day from its' wound which was probably caused by a hawk or eagle.

Many people do not put bands on all their birds until the bird is ready to fly off so I would definitely go see the "Pigeon Man" and
let him know about this.

I really do not think it is feral.

Often a pigeon will die if they become lost from their homes because of the stress.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[jak2002003]

Its not likely to be feral pigeon... because they are usually in the city or towns and live in flocks.

The feral ones in the countryside are very scared of humans and will fly off when they see you.

Also feral pigeons hang out in flocks.. so its rare for one to just come each day on its own..

I recon its a lost domesticated pigeon.

The colour does not mean anything.. ferals can be any colour.. even pure white.

 

[laughingdog]

Ferals are just going of lost/strayed and escaped pigeons/rock doves (mostly ferals are descendants mainly made up from homers and meat pigeons). They are actually never wild as are Dependant on human structures and feeding farm feeds or our garbage.
That bird by what shown of seems a homer. I've seen and had ferals act tamer than some strung out roller lines and fancy breeds etc that I have and had.