Pigeon Talk

[backyard pigeons]

I even made a snow duck.

New avatar???

 

[Qwerty3159]

That's neat! I must say, I'm glad you stuck with pigeons.

Let me know of any care advice you have!

My goal is to breed them. I will be interested in shipping and selling. But, how do the birds make it without food or water for that long, in a small box? I know pigeons are fine, but starlings are so small!

I don't like breeding animals in hopes of making money, but, I will be needing a car before long. Funny how thoughts change as you need a big purchase. Gotta find little ways to make a little money.

I will let you know if I get some youngins to sell. What about 'wild caught' adults, once they are tame enough to be eating out of my hand and sitting on me? I don't know what starling (fanciers?) (Peeps?) People want when buying a bird.

I've never had any, only knowledge through research from planning on it. Here's a great website, they also have a forum. http://www.starlingtalk.com/
Wild caught would probably depend on whether or not your customers want them as cage birds or outdoor aviary pets. The captive bred ones would have the advantage of probably being a bit tamer, and you could charge more for them. There is a bit of disease risk with the wild ones. They are good options for both housings, for example they can replace budgies or finches in colder areas as aviary birds. They're really smart so definitely would appreciate enrichment in the cage unlike our pigeons, maybe some small parakeet toys. Anything that they'd have to forage in like a tray of dirt full of mealworms or something would probably be loved.
I've never shipped a bird but I know they can withstand it if shipped properly, I know someone who orders finches that are far smaller online.

 

[WVduckchick]

New avatar???

Should I change it to the duck? Lol
I did just change it today, she’s a white bantam Phoenix pullet. I love your new one! Great shot!

 

[backyard pigeons]

Should I change it to the duck? Lol
I did just change it today, she’s a white bantam Phoenix pullet. I love your new one! Great shot!

I like your avy now, but the snow duck would be pretty neat! How big is she? my chickens haven't quite figured out if the snow is friend or foe. I never have seen them fly as far as they have, avoiding the snow while free ranging. Haha!

I gut lucky with that shot. I might change it soon though, I have had it for a bit, and have some good shots of my Yellow Tiger Grizzle racer.

 

[Qwerty3159]

Mozart is also known to have had a starling as a pet. The story goes that he bought it because he heard it whistling one of his tunes in a store. Their mimicking ability is really good which is why a lot of people desire them as pets but they're neat birds in their own right.

 

[biophiliac]

I got a new species of bird today!

Starlings! No, not starling pigeons. The good ol' European Starling.

I built an aviary on the back of my breeder loft, for the pigeons. Well, they simply don't use it. And, I have been wanting starlings for a while. So,,, I decided to trap some. Hehe.

I guess I just like the invasive species from Europe? First pigeons, then starlings, whats next? Eurasian collared doves? They already seem to be taking to my 5×3×4 aviary. One has started eating out of my hand, just a couple hours after I caught it! I have actually caught a few by hand, while they were eating at the bird feeder.

*for those who don't know,,, starlings are an invasive species introduced from Europe, just like pigeons. it is encouraged to kill them, as they kill many native birds. There are no regulations regarding what you do with them. What I'm doing is legal, and encouraged.*

i have 9 total. I could catch probably 25 more if i wanted. I dont plan to keep all 9. I will let some loose as I see pairs form.

View attachment 2535695

Mozart is also known to have had a starling as a pet. The story goes that he bought it because he heard it whistling one of his tunes in a store. Their mimicking ability is really good which is why a lot of people desire them as pets but they're neat birds in their own right.
View attachment 2535732

It is claimed that Starlings can learn to talk even better than parrots!

 

[backyard pigeons]

It is claimed that Starlings can learn to talk even better than parrots!

Mine haven't begun talking yet. Those slackers, they have been in captivity for 5 hours!

I don't expect them to talk, but I do wonder if they will coo, as they can easily hear the pigeons next door!

 

[Qwerty3159]

Mine haven't begun talking yet. Those slackers, they have been in captivity for 5 hours!

I don't expect them to talk, but I do wonder if they will coo, as they can easily hear the pigeons next door!

The wild ones love to mimic other birds, I bet it won’t be long before the males are all cooing.

 

[biophiliac]

@backyard pigeons - Do the Starlings need a shelter in the aviary? I wish we had Starlings. I do have a family of little brown birds, DK if they are sparrows or some kind of house wren but they have habituated to eating from the pigeon feeder. They have multiple place for shelter, sometimes they go under the loft, or shelter under other items on the property. They also have a nest cavity above the entry door to the building where they raise young.

 

[Pyxis]

I got a new species of bird today!

Starlings! No, not starling pigeons. The good ol' European Starling.

I built an aviary on the back of my breeder loft, for the pigeons. Well, they simply don't use it. And, I have been wanting starlings for a while. So,,, I decided to trap some. Hehe.

I guess I just like the invasive species from Europe? First pigeons, then starlings, whats next? Eurasian collared doves? They already seem to be taking to my 5×3×4 aviary. One has started eating out of my hand, just a couple hours after I caught it! I have actually caught a few by hand, while they were eating at the bird feeder.

*for those who don't know,,, starlings are an invasive species introduced from Europe, just like pigeons. it is encouraged to kill them, as they kill many native birds. There are no regulations regarding what you do with them. What I'm doing is legal, and encouraged.*

i have 9 total. I could catch probably 25 more if i wanted. I dont plan to keep all 9. I will let some loose as I see pairs form.

View attachment 2535695

I've always wanted a starling

Handfeed a baby and send me one, haha.

They are excellent talkers, too.