Please help! I found a baby pigeon...

[mobius]

Do post on our Montana thread if you need local assistance...big state! I am in Kalispell but there are those of us all over. I will see if I can find link for you!

 

[mobius]

I am in Kalispell but Montanais a big state. If you need local help or need to rehome, here is a good place to post. Here is the Montana thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/montana.99679/

Not sure how baby would do outside in the winter...just saying.

 

[Hokum Coco]

He's got a wonderful personality

Your pigeon has very unique markings for a feral who tend to be either a blue bar or checkered pattern. I would take a guess that it has a recessive gene of a solid white pigeon some where in its heritage not too far back.
When it comes to it's gender I would not even hazard a guess until it is about 6 months old. That being said I am leaning towards "SHE". Mainly because she seems quite small for a squeaker of about 1 month old. Males tend to be a bit larger.

 

[AndreaR4]

I am in Kalispell but Montanais a big state. If you need local help or need to rehome, here is a good place to post. Here is the Montana thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/montana.99679/

Not sure how baby would do outside in the winter...just saying.

Thanks so much for the link!

 

[AndreaR4]

Your pigeon has very unique markings for a feral who tend to be either a blue bar or checkered pattern. I would take a guess that it has a recessive gene of a solid white pigeon some where in its heritage not too far back.
When it comes to it's gender I would not even hazard a guess until it is about 6 months old. That being said I am leaning towards "SHE". Mainly because she seems quite small for a squeaker of about 1 month old. Males tend to be a bit larger.

Oh how interesting, thanks so much for sharing that with me. I didn't have a clue what gender the little one was, so it's nice to have some idea.

 

[Yutongzhang]

They shouldn't overeat. Animals often have their own way of survival and usually know what they're doing. My chickens figured out what to and what not to eat within a day and never over eat so I believe the pigeon wouldn't either.

 

[biophiliac]

Oh yes, please! I'd love to know the gender.
Ha! Good idea on the avatar.

So for the experiment - no guarantees it will predict correctly - you need to compare the length of the 2 outer front toes on a young bird before they walk too much. Check if they appear to be the same length or different lengths. Then go to this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-pigeon.1174979/
in post #2 there is a video that shows this test. Actually, go to the video first so you can see how to gently pinch the toes to compare.

Your participation will provide at least one useful data point!
Keep me posted on your cutie!

 

[biophiliac]

One more thing I found that might interest you. This video discusses the genetics of some birds similar in pattern/color to yours.

 

[AndreaR4]

So for the experiment - no guarantees it will predict correctly - you need to compare the length of the 2 outer front toes on a young bird before they walk too much. Check if they appear to be the same length or different lengths. Then go to this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-pigeon.1174979/
in post #2 there is a video that shows this test. Actually, go to the video first so you can see how to gently pinch the toes to compare.

Your participation will provide at least one useful data point!
Keep me posted on your cutie!

Thanks for the video! I tried it and this little pigeon's outer toe is shorter than the inner toe. In the video he said if the outer toe was longer than the other one it was a boy. Either way, they are not the same length so I am guessing this one could be a boy? He/She has some iridescent purple and teal feathering on his neck. Do females have that? Will post a photo in the next week...he is nearly full grown and such a beauty! Oh..and I'm definitely keeping him.

 

[biophiliac]

Thanks for the video! I tried it and this little pigeon's outer toe is shorter than the inner toe. In the video he said if the outer toe was longer than the other one it was a boy. Either way, they are not the same length so I am guessing this one could be a boy? He/She has some iridescent purple and teal feathering on his neck. Do females have that? Will post a photo in the next week...he is nearly full grown and such a beauty! Oh..and I'm definitely keeping him.

Yeah, I could pretty much tell you were gonna keep him! LOL Good for you! and him! I'll look forward to the next pic