Note from Elizabeth- This beautiful story of transformation- from wary, unsocialized aviary birds to companionable & curious house mates, shows the amazing adaptability of pigeons & the incredible difference our fosters & adopters make. 

Guest Post by Chava Sonnier

Years of wild bird rescue, working with hawks, owls, bitterns, loons, and which birds are the ones who continually surprise me? Pigeons, of course! When Elizabeth asked if we could foster Noodles and Dallas indoors while Noodles healed from a stubborn respiratory issue, I was initially concerned as to whether they would be uncomfortable with the transition to life as house birds. Noodles and Dallas are mature pigeons who had spent their lives first as poultry (squab) and then once rescued, in Palomacy’s foster aviaries, with minimal human interaction. Their Palomacy bios mentioned that both had always been standoffish around humans and seemed to prefer life as “birds’ birds” in an aviary. (See Noodles & Dallas’ love story here.)

Nevertheless, the transition indoors was necessary for Noodles’ health, so I was prepared to watch them carefully for signs of stress. Elizabeth kindly made the long trek to our house and helped me set them up in a cozy habitat, complete with their usual nest-box, in our downstairs guest bedroom.

On their second day I figured they would simply want to take in their new surroundings, so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered Dallas confidently strolling down the hallway like he owned the place, with Noodles right behind! They examined with great interest every nook and cranny of not just their bedroom, but all the rooms on their level. Only just the next day I came downstairs to find them hanging out casually in the kitchen, both looking at me with the incomparable aplomb of a confident pigeon as if to say “Hello, welcome to our space, may we help you?”

The most fun was watching them discover beds, pillows, and fluffy blankets! Soft and fuzzy fabrics certainly aren’t part of a pigeon’s natural habitat, but that doesn’t seem to mean they don’t enjoy them when offered! The first time Dallas and Noodles hopped on the bed in their bedroom, they looked confused at first, picking up and placing down each foot slowly and with care as they adapted to walking on the unusually wobbly surface of a mattress, pillow-top mattress pad and comforter! They quickly adopted the same approach as our other rescued pigeon family members, asserting that it is always best to sit on as many layers of cushion as possible, as demonstrated by Dallas and Noodles both hopping on top of a pillow, on top of a comforter, on top of the bed!

Perhaps the most surprising development was how readily Dallas and Noodles took to wearing pigeon pants! The had never worn pigeon pants before, but Elizabeth encouraged me to let them give it a try experimentally when Noodles was feeling up to the adventure. So, once Noodles’ health had improved, Noodles and Dallas got dressed in pigeon pants for the first time. Not wanting to stress them, I was prepared to take the pants off immediately, but once again I had underestimated pigeon adaptability! Noodles and Dallas each gave themselves a quick shake and a brief preen to get everything situated to their satisfaction, then flutter-hopped right onto the bed to resume their usual afternoon routine of exploring and lounging as though they’d been wearing pants their whole lives!

While I’m on the subject, a note or two about introducing pigeons to pigeon pants… If your pigeon acts uncomfortable when you put pants on them, in my experience the reason is almost always because the type of fabric isn’t comfortable for them or the pants aren’t sized correctly for the individual pigeon. I can’t blame them – if I’m wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting clothes I feel like I want to tear them off too! ;-) If your pigeon is getting their feetsies caught in the sides of the pants and then falling over, the pants are most likely too big for them. If your pigeon acts like they can’t move when they’re wearing pants, or they respond to the pants by either scooting backwards or throwing themselves about, the pants are too tight for them! If you notice your pigeon just preening around the pants or making small adjustments to their pants with their beak, however, that’s completely normal. When they are not wearing pants pigeons preen throughout the day, so it’s natural they might preen their pants too out of habit! I used to think it might seem a little silly to the pigeons having bows and ruffles on the front of their pants, but then I found that they seem to enjoy preening the bows and ruffles or using them as “handles” to shift the pants into the most comfortable spot! :-) Also, make sure to choose a calm opportunity to dress your pigeon family member in pants for their first time – avoid the first dressing session when they are trying to sit on eggs, or when you’re rushed or stressed yourself. Pigeons are sensitive and emotional just like we are, and I find they like to be reassured that they look nice and not silly in this new getup! When I make a big, positive fuss over pigeons when they get dressed in their pants, and assure them they look beautiful and handsome, they definitely stand a little taller and prouder! If you’re fretting and acting worried, they will be too! Dallas even struts now when I gush “Dallas you are so handsome!” as he’s parading in the hallway wearing his pants. Finally, make sure to check the poop pouch every 2 to 3 hours and remove any poop by changing out the little pad or paper towel lining the pouch, and avoid leaving pants on for more than a few hours at a time.

Despite having spent limited time in close quarters with humans before, Dallas and Noodles both went out of their way to communicate with, engage with, and learn more about their two new human housemates. I was prepared to offer Dallas and Noodles plenty of privacy in their own space, but from the outset I was quite touched by how they almost immediately began walking up to us, making eye contact with us, stepping across our laps, and accepting chest rubs and neck scritches. I shouldn’t have been surprised, of course, for pigeons are such intellectually and emotionally intelligent birds. Several weeks later, Dallas now has me remarkably well trained! Whenever he wants something, he walks up to me, makes very direct eye contact, then nods in the direction of what he wants – so far I’ve been trained to provide fresh food, fresh water, and clean up poop upon command! Dallas and Noodles are currently sitting diligently on a fake egg, and even though pigeons are usually brave defenders of their nest box when sitting on an egg, if a large nest poop happens to wind up in the nest while Dallas is on egg sitting duty he will look at me and nod very pointedly at the mess until I get the idea, then will remain completely relaxed while allowing me to lift up Dallas, fake egg, and nesting materials all together while sliding a clean towel underneath into the nest. Who would have thought that the bird who had rarely been handled by humans before would in his senior years now be described by my husband as “the most docile and social pigeon?!?” Dallas and Noodles follow us around like two pigeon shadows whenever we are downstairs, strolling nonchalantly along with us on their big, majestic king pigeon feetsies.

I’m still deeply moved by how these previously shy birds respond so positively to individual attention every day. Dallas and Noodles now join me for coffee and conversation every morning, and make sure to remind me every night when it’s time for their bedtime safflower seed treats!

So even if you live in an apartment, or don’t necessarily have space for a whole aviary in your back yard, Noodles and Dallas say please remember that all rescued pigeons want is an adoptive or foster home of their very own! They only ask for your love, pigeon seed – and perhaps a fluffy blanket.

 

Chava is a clinical informatics nurse and population health management consultant who lives in Fairfield, California with her husband Zach, and the birds who rescued them.