So... I have a rock dove now. Meet Squabble.

MageofMist · May 5, 2021

It’s name is Squabble. Found this little guy looking all lost and alone in town and my lord, Squabble rivals Scrappy in tameness and daftness.

Thought it was sick... It is perfectly healthy. Thought it couldn’t fly... It flew around the living room and my bedroom. It is just too sweet and docile for it’s own good. Squabble isn’t even afraid of the cat, so thank goodness I picked him up before a city cat or fox ate him!

It was still spooked by a piece of paper though, so Squabble isn’t completely fearless. My dad says it was clearly someone’s “muppet bird” due to how sweet and social Squabble is, and it is also far too clean to be a feral city bird, even for here where there isn’t much traffic, but has no rings or stamps for ID.
I did a health check, the butt is clear and not caked up, poops are surprisingly healthy for a city pigeon, feathers are in good shape and clean with no visible signs of parasites, eyes are bright and clear and there no discharges anywhere or any yellow gunk around the eyes/in the throat. Feet had a little poop on, but that was easily fixed with a warm, damp cloth.

biophiliac · May 5, 2021

MageofMist said:
It’s name is Squabble. Found this little guy looking all lost and alone in town and my lord, Squabble rivals Scrappy in tameness and daftness.

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Thought it was sick... It is perfectly healthy. Thought it couldn’t fly... It flew around the living room and my bedroom. It is just too sweet and docile for it’s own good. Squabble isn’t even afraid of the cat, so thank goodness I picked him up before a city cat or fox ate him!

It was still spooked by a piece of paper though, so Squabble isn’t completely fearless. My dad says it was clearly someone’s “muppet bird” due to how sweet and social Squabble is, and it is also far too clean to be a feral city bird, even for here where there isn’t much traffic, but has no rings or stamps for ID.
I did a health check, the butt is clear and not caked up, poops are surprisingly healthy for a city pigeon, feathers are in good shape and clean with no visible signs of parasites, eyes are bright and clear and there no discharges anywhere or any yellow gunk around the eyes/in the throat. Feet had a little poop on, but that was easily fixed with a warm, damp cloth.

View attachment 2651834 View attachment 2651835 View attachment 2651836 View attachment 2651837 View attachment 2651838 View attachment 2651840

Squabble is very lucky to have met up with you! By the look of his beak I'm thinking he's very young and that may explain some of his tameness. Congrats - I'm sure you will enjoy each other!

MageofMist · May 5, 2021

Lacy Duckwing said:
About a week or two ago someone was telling me how these pigeons brought the avion flu into the chicken barns and they were loosing 1,000 birds a day. Now, that person's boss has told everyone to kill any pigeons that get into the barns or feed storage. So, that being said, they do carry it. The person that I was talking to doesn't think that all pigeons are carrying avion flu, but he didn't want to bring any of the ones that he catches to my farm to save them because they could be. I'd be cautious just because and best bet, get it tested, just to be safe.

I need to get bloodwork and such done anyways to make sure it isn’t just acting healthy, but actually is. I can get Squabble flu tested then. ^^

Also Squabble had a right parrot moment earlier, perching atop the ceiling fan and going for a spin (it was off, but Squabble’s weight made it move), but then got disappointed when it stopped... So my dad lightly spinned it again and Squabble was having a blast. Then my dad stopped and Squabble just started staring at him intensely from the fan, and refused to come off without a fight. XD

That is the most rebellious he has ever been.

biophiliac said:
Squabble is very lucky to have met up with you! By the look of his beak I'm thinking he's very young and that may explain some of his tameness. Congrats - I'm sure you will enjoy each other!

He is very young, but even the young squabs at Squabble’s age and younger are leery of people and usually avoid them in town. You are lucky to get close, never mind pick one up and adopt it.

MageofMist · May 6, 2021

Day two with the child

MageofMist · May 6, 2021

I have defeated Squabble in the most fiercesome combat!

Callender Girl · May 6, 2021

My family was once adopted by a wild pigeon. Congrats on saving Squabble!

backyard pigeons · May 6, 2021

MageofMist said:
My dad says it was clearly someone’s “muppet bird” due to how sweet and social Squabble is

I highly doubt it. Young feral pigeons are surprisingly tame despite not having human intervention for generations in many cases. They have to be bold and curious to make it in the city.

Btw, great job for capturing him. People often discredit ferals and all their potential as a pet\hobby.

Lacy Duckwing said:
About a week or two ago someone was telling me how these pigeons brought the avion flu into the chicken barns and they were loosing 1,000 birds a day. Now, that person's boss has told everyone to kill any pigeons that get into the barns or feed storage.

yikes. It may have have been the pigeons, or it may not have been. People are often quick to blame the flying rats, while really, there among the more tidy of birds with strong immune systems.

MageofMist said:
I need to get bloodwork and such done anyways to make sure it isn’t just acting healthy, but actually is. I can get Squabble flu tested then. ^^

that seems totally unnecessary. Just quarantine him from the other birds you have for a month, and if there are no red flags, merge them if wanted. Blood work is overpriced and stressful for the bird. Besides, some vets will eager to find something wrong with it, even when there's nothing wrong with them. A healthy pigeon will have good droppings, clear breathing, good hygiene, be active, etc. A sick pigeon will act sick. If he acts healthy, don't worry about it.