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December 23, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on The Continuing Adventures of Adoptable Foster Pigeons Noodles & Dallas

The Continuing Adventures of Adoptable Foster Pigeons Noodles & Dallas

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

Chava welcomes Noodles

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.)

Dallas & Noodles at the Ploughshares aviary

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.

Dallas & Noodles exploring their new foster home

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?”

Dallas making himself at (foster) home

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!

Noodles learning about the finer things

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!

Dallas & Noodles comfy on pillows & in pants

Dallas, shown here in Bev’s Bird Boutique pigeon pants, quickly adjusted to wearing them!

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.

Noodles helping with the mail

Dallas helps with shipping too

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.

Noodles & Dallas

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!

Happy, lucky birds

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.

Noodles came to help with the holiday baking

Noodles makes herself comfy in the kitchen

Noodles & Dallas photobombing on Christmas morning! (Can you spot Dallas?)

 

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.

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December 15, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on What Can Really Happen To ‘Wedding Doves’ After They Fly Away

What Can Really Happen To ‘Wedding Doves’ After They Fly Away

Reposted from The Dodo

“The reality is very different from the fantasy.”

BY

PUBLISHED ON 12/07/2018

A white homing pigeon recently needed a lot of help to arrive home safely.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

He was covered in lice and had worms, and seemed to have few instincts for survival.

It’s believed that Lucky Lue is a “dove release survivor.”

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

The Fantasy

“Dove release” services exist all across the country. These services are hired out to bring homing pigeons to celebrations or memorials. After being released as a symbol of peace or unity, after the perfectly timed photographs are snapped, the birds are supposed to return to a predetermined spot where the service can collect them. But things don’t always turn out as planned.

Dove release survivor on his way to sanctuary
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

Homing pigeons — not actual doves — are the kind of birds that the American Dove Association (ADA) says are OK for dove release services to use, unlike actual doves.

“The white dove is not the same bird as the white homing pigeon … Ringneck doves do not have the homing instinct and should not be released in any situation,” the ADA wrote. “Any ringneck doves that are released will not be able to fly far and become easy prey for predators, nor will they be able to forage on their own.”

Lucky Lue, even though he’s a homing pigeon, apparently got lost.

Lucky Lue, a ‘dove release’ survivor, stretching his wings when first allowed out of his cage |Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

Lucky Lue is not the only homing pigeon who got lost after being released at a religious celebration or memorial, a wedding or funeral. And not all disoriented “doves” are as lucky as Lucky Lue.

Because of their pure white color, these birds can be easily targeted by predators. Some end up in shelters where they languish for months. Others perish soon after they’re set free.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

Thankfully, a kind woman, who happens to be on the board of Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary, a rescue for unwanted pet birds in Lecompton, Kansas, offered to fly with Lucky Lue in an airplane to escort him to his new home.

“Lucky Lue is flying here, first class, in [the] cabin on a plane,” Kail Marie, founder of Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary, told The Dodo earlier this week.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

After a long appointment at the vet to test for disease, after a flight and a night in a hotel, and after a drive, this lost homing pigeon finally arrived at his new home.

“He will be another ‘house’ pigeon here with Solomah!” Marie said.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

Lucky Lue — and countless other white homing pigeons who come through shelters and rescues across the country — show there are mistakes, even when the right type of bird is thrown up into the air and flies away.

“The reality is very different from the fantasy,” Elizabeth Young, founder and executive director of Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions, wrote.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon getting rescued
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

The Invisible ‘Doves’

Few people know the hazards of “dove release” as well as Elizabeth Young. Palomacy is a home-based foster care network that currently has 161 birds in its care, housed in 25 different homes and backyard aviaries. All of these birds are waiting for forever homes.

“Our rescue is full of ‘dove release’ survivors who got lost, injured, starved or all of the above,” Young told The Dodo. “And they are just the very lucky few. Most who get into trouble die alone, invisible.”

'Wedding dove' who ended up in shelter
Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

When The Dodo contacted Young this week for this story, she was actually in the process of rescuing another dove release survivor from a shelter in California.

Mackenzie, a homing pigeon, has been waiting in a small enclosure in an animal shelter since October, when she was found on the ground in San Jose. Young has been trying to coordinate a house for her to live in while waiting to be adopted.

'Wedding dove' who ended up in shelter
Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

“These domestic (unreleasable!) birds make amazing pets and our adopters love their birds,” Young said.

Young finally found space for Mackenzie in a foster home that already has several other foster pigeons there, and one of them is a dove release survivor like Mackenzie.

“Mackenzie is … in an aviary hanging out with a ‘dove release’ survivor named Nessie who was blinded by being dyed green,” Young said.

'Wedding dove' who ended up in shelter
Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

The stories of these survivors are important but hardly ever told, Young said. And the ideological stances about the rights and wrongs of dove releases appear to be a moving target even within the industry. (Young pointed out that the ADA’s strong stance against releasing actual doves for celebrations is a relatively recent development.)

“The ‘dove release’ business owners lie … [They] will tell you they never lose a bird or ‘in 20 years, only one bird didn’t make it home’ — but that is absolutely untrue,” Young said. “It is a function of the practice — loss is built in.”

'Doves' released at weddings
Shutterstock

Hawks, ravens, seagulls, cats, rats and raccoons are some of the predators these captive-born and raised homing pigeons encounter. “Some aren’t killed outright but are spooked off course and get lost. Some are hit by cars,” Young said.

Even with ideal training, homing pigeons getting lost is inevitable, Young said. “Even perfectly trained domestic pigeons are vulnerable when used to fly tens and sometimes hundreds of miles home from someplace they would never, by choice, be,” she said. “Lost and injured pigeons are inevitable.”

The Reality

There are other problems wrapped up with dove releases. Chiefly, these professional services, who use trainers to guide their pigeons, inspire botched and unprofessional copycat attempts that often end disastrously.

These DIY releases sometimes don’t even use homing pigeons — instead they use ringneck doves or white King pigeons, who have no homing ability at all.

'Wedding dove' who ended up in shelter
Lost king pigeons who were released at a church |Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

Perhaps one of the most infamous of these mistakes was the release of 80 King pigeons at a very public memorial event in 2002.

The organizers of a 9/11 tribute in Jersey City, New Jersey, had tried to hire a professional dove release service but they were all booked up for the first anniversary of the fall of the Twin Towers. So they went to a poultry market in Newark and bought 80 baby squabs, usually used for soup.

“[M]any of the birds plunged into the Hudson River, smacked into plate-glass windows on office buildings and careered into the crowd,” the New York Times reported. “One perched atop the hard hat of a construction worker whose company had helped clear ground zero.”

Lost king pigeon
King pigeon after release at church who was never caught again |Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

Another cringeworthy release happened in 2014, as Pope Francis stood in a Vatican window with two children who were allowed to each release one dove.

“Two white doves released by children standing alongside Pope Francis in Vatican City as a peace gesture have been attacked by other birds,” the BBC reported. “A seagull and a crow swept down on the doves after they were set free … Tens of thousands of people watched as one dove struggled to break free.”

Reuters photographers snapped photos of the dismal “release.”

Pure White

It is impossible to say how many birds die because of the dove release industry. For one thing, there’s no real way to accurately track losses of homing pigeons or the losses of other kinds of birds used in copycat releases.

“How many ‘releases’ happen every day? How many birds are used in each? How many get lost and then make it home a few days later? How many get outright killed that no one ever sees?” Young said. “I have no way of knowing … We are only rescuing the tip of the iceberg.”

'Dove release' roadkill
“Dove release” birds have few survival instincts and can end up getting hit by cars. |Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

If people find lost or injured white pigeons, many are misidentified or seen as vermin.

“We can’t even get shelters to properly identify birds that are brought to them. Domestic pigeons are routinely mistaken for feral, pigeons are misidentified as doves, etc. etc.,” Young said. “Most people who find a pigeon never think to take it to a shelter because most shelters don’t help birds, and of those that do, many typically kill pigeons as ‘pests’ and ‘nuisance animals.’”

The brutal treatment of birds fated to be used for ‘dove release’ sometimes starts as soon as they hatch. “[Breeders] also cull/kill or discard the pigeon babies that hatch with color splashes rather than all white,” Young said.

Rescued pigeons
Two bred white pigeons who went blind when people tried to dye them green |Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

Not every domesticated pigeon found in trouble comes from dove release services. Pigeons are also bred to be used for all kinds of human purposes — and none of them have the skills required to survive in the wild if they manage to get free.

That’s why Young is ideologically opposed to the practice of keeping animals captive just for human entertainment — “I loved SeaWorld as a kid but now, knowing what I do, I am sickened,” she said — and it’s also why she is trying to give happy endings to the birds who can be saved.

Dove release survivor
Mackenzie, a survivor who is up for adoption |Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions

The Lucky Ones

Lucky Lue is settling in at his new home. He has met Solomah, another rescued pigeon at the sanctuary who recently decided to live inside the house. She is allowing him to perch next to her but is currently acting a bit taciturn, “giving him the cold shoulder,” according to Marie.

'Dove release' survivor pigeon meeting new friend at sanctuary
Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary

Mackenzie is settling in at her foster home, too. She and 160 other doves and pigeons are waiting for loving homes. Hopefully, after all she’s been through, she won’t have to wait too long.

“Pigeons are incredibly intelligent, deeply emotional, gentle, loyal and loving,” Young said. “I have rescued more than 900 in the past 11 years and they continue to amaze me … When someone says they don’t like pigeons, I know they’ve never met one.”

The ADA did not reply to The Dodo’s request for comment.

To help dove release survivors, you can make a donation to Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions. You can also inquire about adopting Mackenzie. And you can help save lives by spreading the word about what can really happen to these birds after they fly away.

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November 18, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Jonah’s Story

Jonah’s Story

Guest Post by Chava Sonnier

 

Jonah helping Zach

I am truly in awe of the incredible service and resources Palomacy provides not only in person but also across the miles and across the globe! I have been involved in bird rescue and rehab for many years, and noticed a need within our area for rehab focused on pigeons, and thus have been trying to learn as much as possible about these remarkable birds. You can imagine my joy and relief when a friend added me to the Palomacy rescue Facebook group, where I discovered a wealth of knowledge in a truly caring environment focused on the most important priority, namely, the well being of birds and all living creatures.

I reached out to Palomacy’s Facebook community on behalf of Jonah Pidge because he appeared to have lost the use of both legs. Jonah Pidge was brought to my husband and I late on a Saturday night severely emaciated, crusted with grit and other such city dirt, and so weak that he was laying on his side and couldn’t hold his head up on his own. He had extensive cuts and scrapes along both legs and his underside, which later made sense when we realized he likely had been attempting to drag himself around on the rough city surfaces.

Jonah beginning his recovery

We focused first on simply stabilizing Jonah Pidge, and after a few days of care (tube feeding, antibiotics, baths, cleaning and dressing the wounds) he regained his strength at a remarkable rate and had begun eating on his own, but both legs remained limp and unresponsive. A trip to the avian vet confirmed that he was most likely suffering neurological trauma along with the additional challenge of two old, badly healed and fused fractures in his left leg that caused his left leg to stick out at nearly a right angle from his body.

 

Jonah concentrates on healing

The wonderful members of Palomacy’s Facebook group provided a remarkable outpouring of advice, ideas, encouragement, and brainstorming as we strove to help Jonah Pidge heal. Our newfound Palomacy friends directed us to the helpful examples of similar cases on Palomacy’s website, messaged late night ideas for Jonah’s physical therapy, and even mailed custom garments to help keep Jonah Pidge spotlessly clean and healthy while he was unable to move himself.
Thus we ventured hopefully down the road of several weeks of Jonah Pidge resting in a towel doughnut to keep pressure off of his legs and underside, and twice daily hydrotherapy in the hopes he might regain mobility. Because he was a wild/feral city pigeon before his injury I worried the change to home life would be too hard for him, but pigeons never cease to amaze me with their adaptive poise… Such joy the first day Jonah Pidge felt both strong enough and at home enough in his “nest” to give me a solid Wing Fu slap! Even more amazing was when he started to respond to being gently held and petted with contented coos! I wanted to make sure he had as much mental stimulation and enrichment as possible despite his lack of mobility, and fortunately I work from home so Jonah Pidge and I soon fell into a habit of my either carrying him around the house wherever I went or rolling him with me from room to room as he rode regally in his towel doughnut on a rolling desk chair!

 

Jonah & his stuffy

While my husband and I have had the honor of meeting dozens of pigeons thus far in our rehab journey, after a time they either passed away (birds need hospice care too!) or fortunately more often recovered and were able to be released (in the case of wild pigeons only) or adopted (in the case of domestic pigeons or non-releasable injured wild pigeons). At some point during the course of Jonah’s care we realized he would always be a special needs Pidge, certainly unable to fend for himself properly back in the wild, and thus the first permanent pigeon member of our family had found us. It is truly an honor and privilege to be his human “flock” and watch him flourish, regain weight, regrow his missing feathers, and confidently hop on my hand or into my lap for snuggles. (Jonah Pidge does wear pigeon pants sometimes since he is never caged and has the full run of our pigeon-proofed home, but he gets plenty of pants-free time too.)

 

Happy Jonah

You can clearly see in many of the photos that Jonah’s left leg is at a very abnormal angle… This is one of the reasons Jonah Pidge remained with us instead of being able to be rehabed and released to resume his life as a wild/feral pidge: our avian vet confirmed that his left leg has suffered multiple injuires in his life, including a fracture that she estimates occurred well before the more recent trauma that temporarily paralyzed him and caused a kind person to spot him and bring him to us for rehab, and as an untreated fracture it “healed” and fused improperly, causing his left leg to stick out at a right angle from the side of his body.

I am beyond thrilled to be able to report he’s gained full mobility in both of his legs! His left leg will likely always have some limitations, but the avian vet concluded it doesn’t seem to cause him pain and thus advised against the risks of surgery, so we are continuing to work on his physical therapy and strengthening, and with classic pigeon poise he has adapted remarkably well to a life of fluffy blankets and stuffed animals, snuggles, and having full reign over the house. I am so grateful to Palomacy for offering such helpful insights into Jonah’s care across the miles, and to Jonah Pidge for brightening our lives tremendously!

Jonah, Zach & Ms. Pidge

Jonah outreching for Palomacy at the Solano Stroll

Jonah & Suzy- making friends at the Solano Stroll

 

Chava & Jonah (all healed up) & Zach at Palomacy’s COO-CHELLA!

 

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.

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October 29, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on 2019 Palomacy Calendar Photo Contest!

2019 Palomacy Calendar Photo Contest!

Palomacy’s 2019 calendar photo contest and fundraiser is on! It started Monday October 15th & ends Sunday November 11th.

Your photo entries and votes support Palomacy and count you among an amazingly caring network of people committed to our culture-changing work. Thank you for helping celebrate these incredible, under-appreciated birds every day of the year! We know how special pigeons and doves are and we are showing the world!

Submit your very best photos ($5/entry) as competition is intense! Share for family and friends to vote! ($1/vote). All proceeds will help Palomacy to help more birds. You are literally shaping Palomacy’s future with your support.

Thirteen winning photos (ten top vote-getters and three founder’s choice selections) will be immortalized in the 2019 calendar. Your bird’s photo will be representing for rescued pigeons and doves in homes and busineses all over the world! Winners will also receive two full color 2019 Palomacy calendars and all can order them here while supplies last!

These beautiful rescue stories will inspire you all year.

White "dove release" homing pigeon survivor wearing a raffia necklace she put on

Rescued from the streets, Paloma now lives the glamorous life

Beautiful red rescued pigeon with a feather in his beak

Rescued West of England Tumbler Gem feathers his nest

Profile of a rescued Rock pigeon

Wyatt’s quiet strength & fierce will to live inspires us

Generic 'your bird here' graphic stand in for photo contest entry

Click this image to get started

There are 38 photos entered so far and we know lots more are coming. The sooner you enter, the better your chance to earn votes and show off your beautiful, beloved bird. Click here!

Thumbnails of 24 rescued pigeon & dove calendar contest photo entries

What better way to honor your bird than to make them a pin up star!

And remember- you can order your calendars here.

Post-contest Update

Here they are- all 66 entrants. I wish we could have included every one of them in our calendar!

Pidge, Berkeley CA

Pidge is a very, VERY sensitive, independent cute boy who has made great progress in the two years since his rescue. He has gradually become less anxious, more confident & more expressive. He has achieved cuddlebug status. He’s a lucky-to-be-alive Homing pigeon who survived getting lost & grounded after a ceremonial “dove release” thanks to being rescued by his person. Favorite pastimes include watching his reflection in all different surfaces, campaigning for peanuts & starchy people food & melting hearts all over the place with his “big anime eyes” (as described by an Instagram fan).

Pidge O’Carr, Sara, North Hills CA

Pidge is a rescue from the nearby area and we’ve been lucky to call her ours for 3 years plus!

Arcas, Cynthia, Berkeley CA

Arcas is a fiercely affectionate king/racing pigeon whose parents were both rescued from their respective industries. She was raised by Maia (her pigeon mom) and Laurie (her person), and eventually came to Berkeley to live with me. I’ve never met a bird who loves quite as hard as Arcas, and I am thankful for her (slightly painful) kisses and her chocolate chip feathers every single day.

Hajime, Sarah, Houston TX

This is Hajime Gretel Guillory. We got her from an online breeder, but she came very flighty and scared of everything including her own shadow. Now she is scared of everything but us and her own shadow. She is our pancake and loves to sun herself as I don’t think she got to sun in where she grew up. She also loves millet and refuses to share with her younger brother. She is quite talkative after she has gotten breakfast in the morning and allows me cuddles sparingly. She is my darling.

Arcas, Cynthia, Berkeley CA

Arcas is a fiercely affectionate king/racing pigeon whose parents were both rescued from their respective industries. She was raised by Maia (her pigeon mom) and Laurie (her person), and eventually came to Berkeley to live with me. I’ve never met a bird who loves quite as hard as Arcas, and I am thankful for her (slightly painful) kisses and her chocolate chip feathers every single day.

Pidge O’Carr, Sara, North Hills CA

Pidge is a rescue and she loves to snuggle with her mommy and daddy <3

Squirt, Jett, Reno NV

I rescued Squirt as a hatchling during a major thunderstorm in July of 2012. My friend’s pigeon coop had flooded and a lot of the newly hatched birds had already drown in their nesting bowls. I took Squirt home and spent those critical moments with him saving his little life. Instead of going back to the coop he stayed with me and has been my best friend ever since. I’ve had Squirt for 6 years and am looking forward to many more with my favorite bird in the whole world!

Holly, Bev, Umhlanga Rocks KZN South Africa 

Holly is a rescue from a White dove release business. After realizing the difficulties that these beautiful white pigeons have I approached the breeder and asked him for a baby. (I figurered if I could help only one I could do my very little bit) She was given to me as a very little one whom I raised. We are totally attached to one another. Holly is also my model for my Flyper bird diaper business and she has quite a following now both nationally and internationally. We do pigeon awareness together and educate people about awesome pigeon love.

Sadie & Pickle! Jill, Sunol CA

Sadie is a 10 year old unreleasable feral pigeon with wonky leggies, married to young stud king pigeon Pickle! There is a ! after his name because he is a lot of bird!!! They are soooooo in love.

Simon, Faye, Sunnyvale CA

Simon is a very dignified senior citizen homing pigeon who somehow survived the “dove release” business long enough to reach the age of 12. Despite his wisdom & years of experience, he got lost & was almost starved to death when he self-rescued to a homeowner in Watsonville. They couldn’t keep him but new a bird person who knew Palomacy & after about two months on our waiting list, we were able to bring him into our foster care. He is a lovely gentleman & I think this photo really shows the need these birds feel for our help.

Paisley, Angela, Havre de Grace MD

Paisley was welcomed into our flock Sept 3rd, 2017. This sweetheart was initially brought home at the ripe age of 4 months and thought to be female – boy were we wrong! Pollito and Paisley love to torment each other. Paisley enjoys flying to mommy and shaking wingies, helping her with makeup application. Bathing in his water dish is a favorite pastime as well!

Glory, Elizabeth, San Francisco CA

Sunbathing beauty Glory, all grown up now, arrived to Palomacy in June 2018 as a disabled, fallen nestling with no place else to go. She needed surgery to correct her splayed leg & still wears a corrective shoe sometimes on her ‘good foot’ to help support it & we are watching her bad (& unfixable) club foot to keep it working well but none of that gets in Glory’s way. She is a smart, willful & mercurial little sprite that spreads magic wherever she goes.

Giovanni Pepperoni (Jeeves), Stormi, Portland OR

Jeeves was found as a 14 day old fledgling with severe calcium deficiency, deformed leg, and a host of other health issues. Thanks to the amazing support from the people of Palomacy, especially Charis in Portland, we got him healthy and strong. Now this beautiful and confident bird is a treasured part of our family.

Buddy, Erika, Etobicoke, Ontario Canada

Here is Buddy being a handsome guy and showing us his beautiful eye.

Bolin, Alyssa, Milwaukee WI

Bolin is a rescued pigeon from a farm that was selling him for dog hunting. He was very scared at first and did not do well with people. With time and love, he quickly became the sweetest pigeon and is endeared by many.

Teddy, Veronica, Salisbury MA

Teddy was at a rescue for a while. He needed a home ASAP. He was very amorous with the ladies therefore causing a bit of commotion. He is a very loving dove and has a good sense of humor. He laughs all the time-especially when he’s being “naughty”. We have had Teddy now for six years. He gets along with our cockatiels and female pigeon, but not so much with our dominate male pigeon. So they have to take turns for outside cage time. As you can see, he is making sure I use the cleaner to clean his cage.

Nebula, Rebecca, Rock Island IL

Nebula was a racing pigeon that lost her way but found refuge with my family after a phone call from a friend lookin for help. She has brought us great joy and a new found appreciation for the bird. Since rescuing her in July, she has met the love of her life, Galaxy (another lost racer). They have married and are currently caring for their first eggs (replaced with fakes). Our son chose the names for them based on their star-like markings on their head and “cosmic” iridescent feathers.

Griffin, Jennifer, Blackwood NJ

Griffin was just a baby when she was thrown from her nest when a new roof was being put on. It was impossible to put her back so I rehabilitated her till she was old enough to be set free but she somehow ended up imprinting on me. So instead of giving her up to a rescue so now lives happily with her flock family, with a dog 2 children, my husband & myself. She is my precious love!

Boba & Cooper, Jennifer, Oakland CA

Super sweet married couple Boba & Cooper, shown in their foster Jeniffer’s loving arms, are very lucky-to-be-alive survivors of pigeon racing. Boba was grounded with an injury & taken to a non-bird-serving shelter meaning rescue was her only chance. Cooper, after being used for racing (& not winning) was sold off as “surplus” to be used for training hunting dogs (a fate worse than death). He was purchased & released but domestic & with wing & tail feathers completely cut off, he only survived because he was rescued. We’re so glad these beautiful lovebirds are safe & happy now!

Kerry King, Sariah, Las Vegas NV

I was found sitting on a hot Las Vegas sidewalk outside of my rescuer’s place of work. I had fallen from the nest and was just a young squeaker. She took me home, cared for me and loved me. Even took me to the veterinarian for surgery when I had a mysterious wound pop up on my chest. I could tell my rescuer was scared for me. I’m right as rain now and living the good life. Spoiled rotten.

Holly, Bev, Umhlanga Rocks KZN South Africa 

Holly was bred for white dove release. I got her when she was a little one and I raised her. Holly goes absolutely EVERYWHERE with me and together we are doing a lot of pigeon awareness ( nobody can walk past me after seeing me with a pigeon , dressed in a Flyper , perched on my shoulder, so that is a big conversation starter). Holly is our Flyper model too and has quite a big national and international following so I guess she is definitely doing her bit for the pigeon world. Lovable beyond words my Holly bird!

Nessie, Jill, Sunol CA

Nessie was one of three homing pigeons that were blinded in an attempt to dye them green – we don’t know why. She lives her big life in an aviary with 27 other birds. She knows where everything is. If I move things around, she figures things out. She goes toward the action, not away from it as you would expect a blinded pigeon would. She’s living the single life (for now). Special needs birds make wonderful pets!

Toby, Joanne, West Palm Beach FL

Toby was a racing pigeon who decided he needed a new life that was a little slower paced. Why he chose our house, we’ll never know. We’re happy to have him. He stole our hearts and makes us laugh every day!

Hawaiian Sunset, Karen, Lanesville IN

My husband and I were in Kona Hawaii enjoying a spectacular sunset when 3 Zebra Doves landed directly in front of us. For 20 mins they sat quietly, not taking their eyes off of the beautiful site in front of them. As soon as the sun disappeared, so did they! It was such a surreal moment shared with God’s special creatures!

Bubby, Brandon, Troutdale OR

Bubby was a teeny little squeaker rescued by Terrie Heilmen Stoffel and brought to the pet expo with the birds of Avian underdogs . We arrived with the intent of only adopting one friend for our Heihei but instead very quickly fell in love with this sweet little squeak. She rode home on my shoulder and has been our sassy little trouble maker ever since. We feel like this photo continues to capture her personality 100%!

Marty & Cricket, Jenny, Walnut Creek CA

Cricket is a gentle giant and Marty is little but fierce! They really are the embodiment of love; constantly preening and snuggling, never wanting to leave the others side.

Luigi, Sue, Patchogue NY

Luigi is a self-rescued Roller Pigeon. He has spent the last 3 years with me since we met in my driveway when he was 2 years old. His favorite pastimes include stomping & grunting. He loves to be sprayed down for his every-other-day baths, he enjoys spending time on his fake egg (he takes this VERY seriously) and he will do whatever he can to make sure he is fed on time each day. Luigi insists that all human feet enter his room with socks on…the thicker the wool the better.

Becky, Sabina, Sunnyvale CA

Pecky Becky is a rescued feral pigeon who was found grounded and weak with a broken wing and both feet injured, infected and entangled together in string. He’s recovered now and adoptable from Palomacy.

Punchy (Punch Punch), Angela, Havre de Grace MD

Punchy was adopted from a lovely family in Maryland that had a new lifestyle change they felt wasn’t going to fit her well. After spending three wonderful years with her initial family, she came to our flock Dec 30th, 2017 (we still keep in touch). This sweetie absolutely loves water and joins during human bathtime. Punch Punch thoroughly enjoys flying and keeping out of reach as well, despite being bonded to her mother.

Clyde, Abbey, Fredericksburg VA

Clyde is a self-rescue pigeon! He blew in after a storm, and after about a week of hanging around the house, we took him in out of fear that he would be eaten by a hawk. We don’t have wild pigeons in our neighborhood, so we think that he might have been a wedding release bird who wasn’t able to find his way back. Now he is safe, and happy with a friend.

Carlita, Melne, San Francisco Bay Area

Dainty Carlita was found at the San Francisco animal shelter, where her unusual looks gained her the nickname “ET.” In fact, she was a Budapest Short-faced Tumbler, a fancy breed with tiny beaks, huge eyes, bumpy head and tip-toed walk. After being rescued by Palomacy, she went on a pHarmony date with rescued my feral male pigeon Bowie. In under a minute, they met, fell in love, got engaged, and married. Sadly, after 4 years of wedded bliss, Carlita passed away in September. She is terribly missed, but will always be remembered for her quirky beauty, and sweet personality.

Heihei & His Tree, Kayla, Troutdale OR

Heihei was a feral Pigeon that crashed into my window December of last year and knocked himself out. I was sure he had passed till he hopped up &stumbled under my car. I rushed out,was able to pick him right up &he came to our home to be cleaned ,fed,and given water. My vet was sure he had ingested something poisonous and had a concussion that kept him from flying/walking steadily.Since then he has fully recovered &become a little couch potato that loves to watch movies,cuddle,steal Qtips,get beak rubs& his wife Lois. He is an irreplaceable member of our family.

Pearl & Peep, Seema, San Francisco CA

Pearl was rescued with her first husband, Bixby, both in ill health. Bixby unfortunately passed and Pearl later chose Peep out of all of the eligible pigeons at Palomacy. They now enjoy their days flying around in their stylish flightsuits and listening to nature sounds & relaxing music for birds.

Pollito, Angela, Havre de Grace MD

Pollito was adopted May 12, 2016. From the moment he joined the family, he has contributed nothing but happiness and laughter. He even has his own Instagram! Pollito spends his free time hunting for nesting material for his fake eggs, watching Netflix with mommy and assisting with her hair each morning.

Stargazer Smith, Bridgette, Ellenboro NC

Stargazer is a Rescue from Chicago Pigeon Pets, she was picked up on the streets of Chicago with a head trauma injury And was taken to a Wildlife Rehab for treatment and Stability. Once she was stable she was turned over to Chicago pigeons and fostered and loved her until I adopted her. Stargazer still has left leg weakness and balance coordination issues, and a severe head tilt. after 2 days here and adjusting she just blossomed and is now walking more upright, winger sizing, and flirting with the boys. Star has taught me resilience, endurance, thankfulness, love, hope.

Wallace, Donna, Lyons CO

Wallace was found by employees at a water treatment plant in 2018. She was landing on people’s heads and trying to get into the building there. They brought her to a wildlife rehabilitation center where it was determined she must have been a dumped pet. Donna Nespoli, who worked there, adopted her. She has been an active part of the family since then. She gets along with her people and dogs very well. Her antics keeps everyone entertained.

Bugby, L’ynssa, Atwater CA

Bugby incurred an injury that caused part of his beak to become necrotic and fall off. He can now eat on his own dispite his malformation and everything he has had to overcome.

Winter, Elizabeth, San Francisco CA

In 2013, Winter was found in a creek (with an egret!) by hikers who, luckily for him, recognized that this domestic pigeon needed help. They lovingly cared for him for 5 years until life changes & expensive vet bills meant they had to give him up. Together, Palomacy & the Medical Center for Birds have given Winter another chance at life & he is loving it. He’s a cancer survivor who needed two surgeries to remove the life-threatening sarcoma tumors. Now, all this hansdsome, charming manbird needs is a ladybird & a home. His adopter will be so lucky.

Glory, Elizabeth, San Francisco CA

Feral Rock pigeon Glory (shown here at ~ 3 weeks old) fell out of her nest & was found stranded on an Oakland sidewalk by a kind passerby. She had one splayed leg that extended uselessly out behind her & a club foot on the other & would never be releasable. She couldn’t stand up but was sure feisty, wary of our intentions (unusual as baby pigeons are often very trusting). We made friends, won her confidence & raised money for the surgery required to break & rotate her leg into proper position. It worked! Glory says, Thank you!

Bowie LePigeon, Melne, San Francisco Bay Area

Bowie has a few choice words for Bert’s Pigeon Patrol. In 2013, baby Bowie was found and brought to Medical Center for Birds, where the staff lovingly raised him. Usually, pigeons brought there are raised and released back to the wild, but his bowed legs, which inspired his name, raised doubt about his ability to survive on the mean streets. On a visit, I mentioned my interest in a pet pigeon, and they arranged an introduction to Bowie. We’ve been together since!

Ali’s Evolution, Bonnie, Livingston MT

One crazy windy day, baby Ali was blown into the tiny courtyard behind our studio and brought into the gallery by our shop cats, who had never seen a bird before and thought he was the most fabulous toy. Thanks to your Palomacy website and facebook page, we got the advice we needed to help this sweet little fighter survive his injuries, and now he is a beloved member of our family. If only everyone knew how adorable a rescued pigeon can be, PetSmart would go out of business!

Pidge, Berkeley CA

Pidge is a very, VERY sensitive, independent cute boy who has made great progress in the two years since his rescue. He has gradually become less anxious, more confident & more expressive. He has achieved cuddlebug status. He’s a lucky-to-be-alive Homing pigeon who survived getting lost & grounded after a ceremonial “dove release” thanks to being rescued by his person. Favorite pastimes include watching his reflection in all different kinds of surfaces, campaigning for peanuts & starchy people food & melting hearts all over the place with his “big anime eyes” (as described by an Instagram fan).

Bobber, Kelsey, Lansing MI

Bobber is a rescue pigeon I met on the job, as a home-based therapist, who I later learned rescues others. Many of the children I work with grow up in foster care, often confused and ashamed about their family narratives. “Bobber was hurt as a baby bird and his birth parents didn’t know how to keep him safe”, is a story the children know all too well. Bobber’s journey is particularly inspiring to these children, who need a hero to remind them of the resilience they already possess. Bobber reminds us all we are worthy of love, safety, and permanence.

Gigie, Anne, Rennes France

I rescued Gigie when she was just a young baby who have fallen from her nest…. A few days after her rescue she developed severe PMV and it took 9 awful months for her remission. But during all this she stayed a joyful and a full of life little sweetie. She is my sunshine and I can’t imagine my life without her at my side!

Panda & Seymour, Anna, Fairfax CA

Panda is a rescue from Palomacy. Seymour was a feral rescue from when I lived in Michigan and was my first foray into the world of pigeons. Panda is twice Seymour’s size (640 grams to 312 grams) but that isn’t a barrier to their love and he is a great pigeon papa to their fake plastic eggs. I tried capturing one of their canoodling moments, but wasn’t able to get a good, non-fuzzy photo. I am forever grateful to Palomacy that they found each other!

Miu, Cynthia, Berkeley CA

Miu is a rescued and adopted homing pigeon who likes traveling and snuggling, and she loves peanuts more than anything in the world. She’d probably choose them over me… but I love her anyway.

Irv, San Francisco CA

“Greetings. My name is Irv and I am the President of the SF Federated Union of Feral Pigeons. Glad to meet you. I feel that it’s my duty to enter myself in this Contest to ensure that Feral Pigeons have adequate representation in 2019. As you can see, we Ferals contribute to Palomacy’s mission by doing public relations work daily on the streets of our cities. Using our Natural Charms, we strive to raise public awareness about the Excellent Qualities of All Pigeons. A Vote for Irv is a Vote for Universal Pigeon Love! Thank you.”

Snowy Marshmallow Pidgey 1, Jennifer, Los Angeles CA

Snowy Marshmallow was on our roof when we came back from Easter 2016. I said it was a beautiful bird and I put my arm out and asked him to come… he did! Then my daughter opened the sliding glass door and he walked right into our house! I didn’t know anything about pet pigeons then, though I had brought a few to a rescue before. I put an ad out, saying I found this lost bird. When I found out that racers don’t usually want their birds back, I knew he would stay with us forever :)

Milo, Julia, Alameda CA

Milo is a very special bird who has brought tremendous joy to her family. She was originally brought in as a fledgling to a shelter and on a very spontaneous day, her human came to see her, hoping that she could find a new companion to make those quiet days a little less quiet. Through the kindness of Palomacy, she was able to take Milo in and could not be happier with how things worked out. Milo is a very curious bird who loves being in the company of people. Since being adopted she has become a Palomacy ambassador, attending many outreach events. She loves spreading the word about how wonderful pigeons can be.

Coo, Karen, Brick NJ

My mom was known as The Bird Lady of Bergen County for her rescue work. As she aged, there was just her beloved Coo, a ring-necked dove she got as a baby . She moved into assisted living with Coo. Later, my 89 year old mom returned home on hospice. Coo’s cage was right by her bedside and brought her much joy and comfort. I had promised my mom that I would take Coo into my home after she passed and give him love and the best care possible. Coo is approximately 24 and going strong. He is a blessing!

Buddy & Baby, Erika, Etobicoke, Ontario Canada

Baby (Blue Check) is the start of my rehab and rescue life. Found as barely a 5 -7 day old little one on the pavement in the cooler end of August. She means the world to me. Buddy shown here on the left was rescued as a baby with his sister. Buddy and sister Sweety were not in great shape when we took them in. They were not wanted because they were not true white babies! Well they are very much wanted here. He is a very large boy who loves to flirt with Baby as seen here.

Fleetwood, Stephanie, Fairfield CA

Fleetwood is a very lucky to be alive Persian High Flyer Pigeon who was found grounded with his entire top beak ripped off by a predator. Palomacy took him in and helped him heal, and hand fed him for 2 1/2 years before he was finally adopted! Fleetwood is a very happy boy, great eater, extremely loving husbird, and all around amazing pigeon rescue advocate!

Jonah & Ms. Pidge, Chava, Fairfield CA

Pigeons are our heroes! Jonah and Ms. Pidge are both rescued, non-releasable Chicago city pigeons. Jonah was found dragging himself down an alleyway by his beak because both his legs were paralyzed. Thanks to hydrotherapy and advice from the Palomacy team, Jonah is able to stand again! Ms. Pidge self-rescued by walking into a record shop with a fractured wing. Jonah and Ms. Pidge inspire us every day with their courage! They enjoy attending Palomacy outreach events, being feathered executives accompanying their mom on work travel, and greeting their dad when he comes home from his Air Force duties!

Photos Included in the 2019 Calendar 

#13 Pidge, Berkeley CA

Pidge is a very, VERY sensitive, independent cute boy who has made great progress in the two years since his rescue. He has gradually become less anxious, more confident & more expressive. He has achieved cuddlebug status. He’s a lucky-to-be-alive Homing pigeon who survived getting lost & grounded after a ceremonial “dove release” thanks to being rescued by his person. Favorite pastimes include watching his reflection in all different surfaces, campaigning for peanuts & starchy people food & melting hearts all over the place with his “big anime eyes” (as described by an Instagram fan).

#12 Emmy Swope & Doug Love, Liese, Sunnyvale CA

When I picked up Doug Love at the Peninsula Humane Society medical center, I knew he was special. He had a cute head tilt, a twinkle in his eye, and a bum foot, which meant he would be recovering at my house rather than going directly to the foster aviary where I volunteer. While I did try to transition him to the aviary on one occasion, I just couldn’t leave him. Thanks to Faye’s excellent dHarmony, Doug met Emmy Swope, newly single, got hitched, got adopted, and live large. Every night, they sleep together in their pink litter pan nest.

#11 Pearl & Rango with Autumn Leaves, Cynthia, Sacramento CA

Pearl is a King pigeon, and a survivor of a “wedding dove” release. She has been with us for a little over a year. Rango is an English Carrier Pigeon, rescued along with eight others from an unsafe aviary. Pearl and Rango were married in the summer of 2018. They both have BIG personalities, and they are so in love!

#10 Baby, Erika, Etobicoke, Ontario Canada

My Baby as a happy fed baby! Baby was found at a very young age of 5 days old and was nursed back to health.
She loves to nest with a fresh box a q-tips that mommy forgets to close and she loves living inside a warm house. She has taught me so much. You can read her story and see more photos of her on the Palomacy help group.

#9 Quiggles, Meg, Stillwater OK

Quiggles hatched two years ago in a dark little pet shop. A kind lady took pity on this sweet little dove and saved him after seeing his poor living conditions. Unable to be his lady long-term, she took him to live at Olive’s Place, a sanctuary for doves & pigeons. Here Quiggles began to thrive with a motley flock, loving care, and good food. Finally, with wife Quinn, he chose a human to keep forever and a place to call Home.

#8 Jingle, Jill, Sunol CA

Jingle was a brave dove found on the street in San Jose, brought to Andy’s Pet Store by a good Samaritan and fostered for a short while with the Andy’s foster dove flock. He developed torticollis and came to live with me for support. I fell in love and adopted him. I had fiercely hoped he would recover but his condition became worse over the course of a few months. During his time with me he never let his illness get the best of him. He was a happy boy, lived a big life and inspires me still.

#7 Wyatt, Ashley, Tulsa OK

Wyatt is a feisty, grouchy, love-able pigeon with an iron will. A wing injury left him flightless and unable to return to the wild. Living in an aviary, he suddenly lost mobility and was near death, requiring diligent care and hand-feeding. Slowly Wyatt rallied and showed an unflinching determination to live. He regained the ability to self-feed, and after 5 months began walking again. He has taught everyone never to underestimate a pigeon! Wyatt lives at Olive’s Place sanctuary, and models for paintings in the Canvas Dove art studio. He will always have a special place in the flock.

#6 Paloma, Kym, Los Angeles CA

Paloma was found in the streets of Los Angeles. Her background is a mystery but she now lives a glamorous life with her bunny and chihuahua sisters in Hollywood. Her favorite hobby is making necklaces for herself out of organic material she finds around the apartment. This is the fifth design in her original line.

#5 Gem, Shae, Fairfax CA

Oh, Gem! He’s had some ups and downs. Six years ago, he was standing in a vacant lot when I drove by and saw that something was very wrong. His wing was punctured and fractured, probably by a hawk. We nursed him and built him a home where he married his beloved Haiku, who passed away last year. He has since happily married again. You can see he likes to bring gifts to the ones he loves!

#4 Nina, Maria, Sabadell, Spain

Nina is a collared dove who was rescued from an animal shelter. She has lived with us since 23rd May 2010. Before that, she used to be a “class pet” in a kindergarten and was afraid of people, especially children. She is an active, lively dove who enjoys playing with her plush toys. Nina is also an academic dove: she supervises my work from her nest on my desk and you will find her name in my PhD dissertation acknowledgements. We are best friends and she follows me everywhere.

#3 Francesco, Lori, East Hampton CT

Francesco rescued his mommy in June of 2017 when he showed up in a friend’s backyard and refused to leave. He instantly stole his mommy’s heart, and now they do everything together. Francesco even watches over his mommy while she sleeps at night. His adorable, pigeon silouhette hovering over his mommy’s head is a most comforting sight when a bad dream wakes her in the middle of the night! In addition to his mom, Francesco loves his special pillow, his cuddly, stuffed bee, his window, and Mary Chapin Carpenter’s 2016 album. Francesco – what a gift he is!

#2 Big Bird, Neilia, Mineola NY

Big Bird joined our family in 2013. My vet contacted me about a friendly domestic pigeon he had nursed back to health. She had been brought in by a Good Samaritan after being shot with a BB gun at close range. She had been a racing pigeon. Big Bird immediately bonded with me, and became my shadow. From the moment I let her out of her cage each day, she would follow me all over the house. Her favorite activity was cuddling in my lap each evening. She passed away peacefully in September, and we miss her dearly each day.

#1 Tall Baby, Gwenn, Monroe NY

This is TB, short for Tall Baby, at 4 weeks old, standing tall for the first time in his new hobble. This proud pijie is just one example of how far and wide Palomacy reaches to help pigeons in need. TB was found in NJ by a kind soul who searched for help and found Palomacy, just as I did a year ago. Sadly, at 4 months, TB flew to the Rainbow Bridge. A piece of me went with him that day, but my Tall Baby will always live in my heart forever

 

Thank you to everyone who participated- and especially our 66 calendar contest entrants- for helping Palomacy raise $5222 to help pigeons and doves and the people who love them every day of the year. 

You can order your big, gorgeous, inspiring Palomacy wall calendar here.

 

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October 25, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on What To Do If You Can’t Keep Your Bird(s)

What To Do If You Can’t Keep Your Bird(s)

Rehoming Birds

 by Elizabeth Young with Cynthia Zhou, Ashley Dietrich & Rose Jensen

Perhaps your life circumstances have changed or maybe you’ve rescued a bird that needs a permanent home. Unplanned things happen sometimes, and unforeseen circumstances can lead to difficult decisions. One of the most challenging is the decision to give up a vulnerable bird when we can’t care for them ourselves. This article explains the do’s and don’ts of rehoming a pigeon or dove.

Since birds can’t rehome themselves, we have to take care of it for them. They are depending on us. And, because bird rescues are so overfull (Palomacy runs a continuous waiting list), that often means they are depending on you.

Do NOT “Release” (Especially without Expert Assistance)

Never set the bird loose in the wild – it’s a death sentence for a domestic or imprinted bird. They lack the survival skills needed to find food and shelter and to avoid danger. Doves and pigeons who are inhumanely “released” outside suffer starvation, exposure, predator attacks and have a lifespan of days.

Click to learn more about “released” King pigeons like this one

If you have a bird that you think should be set free, please get the input of rescue experts first. Please do not release your bird into the wild. We sadly see the tragic results all too often of misguided “releases”.  It is a bad idea in so many ways! If you have a pet bird (or captive flock), they are, even if not tame, most likely still imprinted and dependent on people. Pets such as Ringneck doves, Diamond doves, and domestic pigeons (Kings, Homers, Fantails, Rollers, Tumblers, even Racers, etc.) aren’t able to survive on their own. People often believe it’s symbolic to release doves (or white pigeons) to give them freedom, but in truth, it’s a death sentence for a domestic bird.

Domestic birds don’t survive being “released”

Domestic birds have neither the genes nor the developmental experience to survive in the wild. And if you rescued and raised up a young wild pigeon or dove in your home, he has imprinted on people and may never be releasable. (When we are contacted about a feral pigeon landing on a person’s head or trying to get into their car, we know that bird was raised up in a home and then released or lost. They are imprinted on humans, starving, desperate and very lucky if they get rescued.) When wild pigeons and doves are raised up by people, they need time with other birds of their kind in a safe, transitional environment to determine if they can “wild up” and survive as free birds. Some never will. Please do your homework because the world is full of people who will tell you all kinds of things. Over the years, we have crossed paths with animal shelters that “released” big white King pigeons thinking they would be fine (wrong, that is a death sentence), vets who don’t know the difference between a domestic and wild pigeon or dove (surprising but sadly common), the pigeon racers who say, ‘just feed him and he’ll rest up and come home’ and various self-professed experts who assert all kinds of untrue things. Help your bird by learning the facts. (Palomacy’s moderated Help Group is a great place to get expert assistance.)

Assess the Situation

The first question to ask yourself is: Why do I have to rehome my bird? We are often contacted by people who think they can’t give a good home to a bird they have rescued or that they should rehome their bird when in fact they don’t really have to. If you are brand new to birds, we can help you (see The Story of Super Dovee and Pigeon Self Rescues Through the Cat Door and How a Little Pigeon Built a Big Aviary). If you feel your bird is lonesome or bored, there may be ways to mitigate that. (If desired, we can help you adopt a companion for your single bird. We call it pHarmony.) Sometimes people imagine that their bird would have a happier life elsewhere when their current life is actually pretty wonderful. Before displacing your bird, please connect with experts for help assessing the situation. There may be solutions or alternatives that can help you and your bird stay together. Because there are so many birds already in need of homes, yours may truly be the best home for your bird. If you’re moving, pigeons and doves are awesome little travelers and will happily move with you. Are your birds having babies and the flock has outgrown their home? We can help with that (hatch prevention). Are there behavior issues- biting, aggression, cooing or some such that is causing problems? There may be ways to manage that. Breathing issues that might be bird related? We can help advise which tests you need and how to reduce feather dander. Too much poop? Learn about bird pants.

Before you make up your mind about rehoming, consult with us about why you feel you need to. We are happy to advise and support you to find the solution that is best for all involved. Joining and posting to our Palomacy Help Group is the best, fastest way to get assistance as we have a whole team of very kind Palomacy experts moderating, coaching and referring (whether in the group or privately via message or phone).

Finding a Rescue or Sanctuary

If you truly must rehome your bird, you might be able to locate a pigeon and dove-friendly rescue or sanctuary. They are not always easy to find and even when you do find one, it may take some follow up to connect with them. Rescuers are BUSY. We get more Emails, messages and calls than we can keep up with so don’t take the lack of or a delayed response personally. Do politely persist. You can ask avian vets and wildlife rehabbers in your area for referrals, do Internet searches for ‘bird rescue’, ‘bird sanctuary’, ‘animal sanctuary’, ‘farm sanctuary’, ‘pigeon rescue’, etc. and you can also ask for referrals from our Palomacy Help Group. This map shows only those we currently know about (there are more out there so don’t take the absence of one on this map to mean there are none in your area) and being on this map does not certify a safe placement. Once you connect with someone, you have to evaluate them! Please do not just turn over your bird without knowing what will happen to him and the conditions in which he’ll be kept. You must evaluate a placement yourself before handing over your bird. As a rescuer, I am not insulted when someone wants to know about our care but rather the opposite. I am thrilled that the surrenderer cares enough to inquire! If the rescue isn’t comfortable answering questions and providing info, take that as a serious red flag. Rescuers and sanctuaries are always at risk of having too many birds to properly care for, of tipping over into hoarding. There are some truly horrific fates, fates worse than euthanasia, that can befall birds. Make sure that your bird isn’t going to languish neglected in an overcrowded coop or a too small cage, be mauled and killed by predators in an unsafe enclosure or be endangered through sale to ‘feather merchants’.

Finding an Adopter

I have been placing rescued pigeons and doves with adopters for eleven years now and I can say with authority that while it is not easy to find a great home for a bird (or flock), it is defintely doable! (See 53 Pet Doves Need Help and Rescuers Helping Rescuers and links to more inspiring adoption stories are posted at the end of this article.) There are amazingly wonderful adopters with fantastic homes to offer and the challenge is to find them.

It takes time and effort to find them but they are out there! (Please note, it is incredibly easy to give pigeons and doves away because people use “surplus” birds in all kinds of terrible ways including but not limited to training hunting dogs, feeding snakes and raptors, for live target practice, inhumane ceremonies, etc. so don’t confuse giving your bird away with finding him a good home.)

Representing for Your Birds

To find a great adopter or rescue, whether for one bird or a whole flock, you need to provide and share information. When I get an Email saying, “Can you take my dove?”, I can’t even begin to answer until I have more info. Where are you located? What type of ‘dove’ is he? What’s the situation? Photos are really important because what you are calling a dove may actually be a pigeon and if so, I need to know that (we can’t put pigeons in with doves). Or your bird might be a wild rather than domestic bird or ? Good photos will help to answer a lot of questions including identifying the species of bird and providing some info about condition. And you will absolutely need photos to promote your bird to potential adopters. You don’t need expert photos but pictures that clearly show the bird (and not just cage bars) are a big help. And of course, the cuter the photo, the more interest it will generate.

These two photos show the same birds. Which one would catch your eye? This one?

Or this one?

Also include the bird’s name, gender, age, length of time in your care, type of home he’s had, his personality, backstory, etc. All of that will help you to help your bird. If your bird has health or behavioral issues, include that information. It’s important for finding the right home. Sometimes those special-needs birds are easier to place than the others. We have found great homes for blind pigeons (Charlie), pigeons that can’t walk (Violet), doves with neurological issues (Bell), birds with beak injuries (Fleetwood & Prince), flightless birds and many more (including a 22 year old pigeon who is now 26 and more than a few senior citizen doves).  Create “Adopt Me” type flyers and online posts and share everywhere (and keep sharing)! You have to reach a large audience to find great adopters for birds. Social media is your friend! Facebook is full of bird lovers, bird rescuers, and pigeon and dove groups including ours- Palomacy Help Group. Join and post and network. Lots and lots of bird lovers on Instagram too. Post on craigslist and Nextdoor and share with your friends and family. Don’t assume that no one will be interested. You’d be surprised. And don’t think that because rescues are always full up that it’s impossible to find adopters. There are lots of adopters out there and we successfully place hundreds of birds every year. We rescuers are just vastly outnumbered by all the people breeding, endangering and losing these birds.

Screening a Potential Adopter or Rescue

It can take time to find a great home and the life of the bird depends on your diligence and making good decisions. Be patient and expect the process to take awhile.

Here is a summary of Palomacy’s expecations for our adopters:

-Appropriately sized, safe and uncrowded cage or aviary 
-Daily fresh food, clean water, poop clean up and check for eggs
-Supervised, safe out-of-cage time (if not living in an aviary) daily
-No free flight/uncaged outside time
-Companionship- lots of your time or another bird’s (not home alone all day)
-Avian vet care if sick or injured
-Compassionate, healthy care that provides for the bird’s nutritional, physical and emotional well-being
-No breeding, birth control if bird has a mate (real eggs replaced with fake)
-A forever home (through sickness & health, moving, etc.) with a pet-care plan in case something happens to you
-No rehoming, selling, sporting or business use
-Offer to return if unable to keep the bird. (This is not desired and we can’t promise we’ll take the bird- we expect this to be a forever home.)

If rehoming your bird, make sure that your bird will be taken care of, no matter where they go. (Not sure what is truly required for care? Learn more.) If they’re going to a shelter, make sure the shelter will care for your bird and try to find an adopter rather than just automatically euthanize which happens at some facilities. If they’re going to a friend, acquaintance or adopter, make sure they know how to properly care for pigeons or doves. I try to get to know people. I ask people to tell me about their pets. You can learn a lot about what future pets’ care will be like from the care present and past pets are receiving. I ask for photos of any birds they have (and their cages) as well as a photo of where the adopted bird would live. When placing birds, I don’t need adopters to be experts but I do need them to care and to be continuously learning. Here are some questions that need to be answered before rehoming:

Where will the bird live and what type of enclosure will they be in? Birds housed outside MUST be protected in predator and rodent-proof aviaries. Housing them in an unsafe enclosure is setting them up for a really bad death. Predators such as rats will go in through quarter-size gaps (like chicken wire) and kill even healthy adult pigeons or doves. Raccoons, cats and raptors have surprisingly long limbs and can catch hold of birds through too-big gaps and literally rip them apart through the bars. Raccoons and coyotes are strong and can break into cages and aviaries that are not specifically designed to be predator-proof. Chicken wire is never safe. All it does is keep the birds in. It is useless for keeping predators out (raccoons can bite right through chicken wire). Unfortunately many companies sell cheap coops and aviaries that are not predator-proof (should be illegal!) and bird and small animal cages built for use indoors are not at all predator-proof outdoors (learn more here).

These weakly built coops need serious reinforcement to be made safe

Large dog crates are great indoor cages but death-traps outside (too wide bar spacing- rats walk in, hawks, cats, raccoons reach in)

When predators can get/reach in, the enclosure is a death trap

There is no substitute for a safe enclosure. It doesn’t matter if people have guard dogs, high walls or insist they don’t have predators in their area. And it doesn’t matter if they’ve had their unsafe enclosure for X many years and never had a problem. Dodging a bullet yesterday is no promise you will dodge one tomorrow.

Raccoon climbs 23 story building (click for story)

It’s not hard or expensive to create a predator and rodent-proof aviary. The enclosure needs to be completely sealed on all six sides with .5″ or .25″ hardware cloth. The hardware cloth floor needs to connect to the hardware cloth walls which connects to the hardware cloth ceiling and then pavers or boards can be put down to cover the hardware cloth for flooring and plywood or fiberglass can be added as a partial roof and siding to provide shelter, shade and privacy. Raccoon-proof the door latches and always secure them and the enclosure is predator and rodent-proof because the entire space is sealed by the hardware cloth. Rodents and predators will chew through wood and tunnel through dirt and rocks to eat the helpless birds unless there is the inpenetrable barrier of hardware cloth to keep them out.

This aviary is a safe, happy home for adopted pigeons

Birds housed indoors need a big cage that will protect them from whatever pets are in the home as well as safe out-of-cage time daily for exercise, socializing and entertainment. See our care recommendations here.

Palomacy recommends a double-flight cage indoors

When are you home and how long will the bird be alone? Will the bird have other birds for company or be kept alone? Pigeons and doves are not solitary birds and need an appropriate, compatible BFF, whether avian or human. A single bird should never be kept outside (too lonesome and stressful) and should always live indoors so as not to be completely isolated. (Pigeons and doves can live next door to chickens but should not be housed in with them as even one conflict will be catastrophic for the smaller bird.)

Can you provide proper lighting? Pigeons and doves require safe exposure to sunlight unfiltered by glass or avian-safe full spectrum lighting to be healthy. (We recommend FeatherBrite bulbs and you can learn the details of avian vision and lighting here.)

Are you aware of the dangers free-flying pet birds face? Please emphasize the importance of this point. Domestic birds aren’t safe flying wild skies (one of the reasons so many get hurt and lost and need rescue) and should not fly loose, even in the yard. Pet birds need to be secured in a carrier or with leashed pants or a harness and within an arm’s length when outdoors. (And clipped wings only prevent birds from flying while indoors. Clipped-wing birds can and do get airborne and lost outside all of the time!) Even when they’re in a cage, unless is it outside-safe, they should never be left alone. Hawks and raccoons and cats can grab and severely injure a bird right through the bars of an unsafe cage.

Do you breed and/or know how to prevent hatching? This is really important for a lot of reasons but most importantly, if someone is allowing baby birds to hatch, they are either going to be overcrowding their birds and/or selling/giving birds away, both of which put the birds at very high risk for all kinds of terrible things. Also, with so very, very many unreleasable birds literally dying for lack of homes, there is just no ethical way to bring more into the world. It’s a question of integrity and compassion.

Rose’s Recommendations

If you’ve been chosen by a bird as their rescuer, or if you need to rehome a bird (while we never like to see birds rehomed, sometimes it can’t be avoided), there are some basics you need to know when looking for a home. I like to ask the questions listed on Palomacy’s adoption application.  It is thorough and has been being used long enough to have been proven (see application here). The high points for me are:

Who is caring for this bird/birds? I  want to see that an adult is responsible for caring for the bird, or at the very least partnered and overseeing a young person.  There is no such thing as a starter bird, and while there are many great young people out there, they need supervision.

Is the intended space safe and adequately sized for the birds who will be living in it? This applies to indoors and outdoors.  Palomacy has all kinds of great guidelines for both on their website (outside enclosures & indoor cages)

Are there other pets in the home? Really important for several reasons, first to determine if special accommodations need to be made to their cage, and knowing what safety precautions need to be made. Other pets are not an automatic disqualifier, in fact many great adopters have cats, dogs and other pets. Do they know to keep birds separated from other pets?  Cats, dogs, rats, ferrets, snakes, parrots, etc. can do serious harm to a pigeon or dove in a split second. Pigeons can also hurt doves due to the size difference and should not be housed together. (See Cats, Dogs, Birds, Oh My!)

Is the home smoke free? If the birds are inside, no smoking in the house is ok. Even if they are in separate areas or on separate floors, the air circulates through the same system. If outdoors, no smoking near the aviary. Bird lungs should never be subject to smoke or other fumes. Adopters should be aware of the dangers of using chemicals, aerosols, fragrances, and nonstick cookware around birds. Their respiratory systems are sensitive, and many “pet-safe” products are not safe for birds. (See Top Ten Household Dangers to Pet Birds and Bird Proof Your Home, though they recommend clipping wings and we don’t. Please note: Clipped wings only prevent birds from flying while indoors. Clipped-wing birds can and do get airborne and lost outside all of the time!)

Under what circumstances would they surrender the bird?  This has helped me to identify some not so great adopters. When they say things like aggressiveness, or illness, that is a clue to me that they may not be as dedicated to working through issues with a bird, vs finding ways to help them.

Does the potential adopter/rescue have an avian vet, and are they willing and able to provide medical care if needed?

Is the adopter or rescue willing to allow a home visit (or send photos of bird’s living area) prior to adoption and provide updates? This will help you make sure they’re being taken care of.

Have they ever surrendered a pet, and if so, why? (See above.)

Are they planning on being a companion to a single bird/how many hours a day will they be spending with them? This is super important as no pigeon or dove should be left alone most of the day. They need companionship.

Are they committed to providing bird birth control?  This is not negotiable.

No rehoming, selling, or any commercial use of the bird is ok.

Once you find a good home for your companion, try to check in from time to time to see how they’re doing. It’s always wonderful to have updates about a bird you’ve shared your life with, and this will allow you to make sure they’re being taken care of.

Did you read all the way through this and, already distraught about the prospect, are now feeling totally overwhelmed? Dry your tears and come join our Palomacy Help Group. Together we help birds get home.

Some happy rescue and adoption stories to inspire you

Worth Every Penny (And Freddie Too)

Violet to Go

A New Home for a Homer

Good Neighbors

My Hero Jingle

Six Pigeons & a MinnieWinnie

From Pet Fair to Adoption

What Kind of Bird is This?

Fergus the Feral

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October 15, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on How We Built a Better Cage with Tips from this Site

How We Built a Better Cage with Tips from this Site

Guest Post by Nina Edmondson

I’m a foreigner living in rural Bali, where birds are often kept in very small cages as decoration – it’s part of the culture, considered normal and nothing I can change on a grand scale – no rescue centers exist here either.

While doing some gardening one day, I went over to find a knife in the handyman’s area of the garden and discovered he was keeping a dove in this tiny cage. It was obviously a wild adult which had been caught by him.

Cage of Doom

Without thinking too much, I opened the door and let it out, watching as it fluttered happily to pastures new – or so I’d thought.

On his return from work, the handyman was upset, and wandered around the garden in the dark with a flash-light searching for his bird.

“What have I done!” I thought, wracked by pangs of guilt.

The next day it returned. He caught it, happily placing it back inside the ‘Cage of Doom’.

Wanting to find a compromise, I decided to butt in again, this time educating myself on dove preferences and buy materials. (Thanks Elizabeth for the great cage building tips!) 

This is the product of our labour.

Full Frontal Dove Mansion

It now has a piece of wire closing the main door latch. I managed to persuade him to include a little ‘dove door’ so it could fly around outside and come back.

The dove seems happy, the handyman is proud of his work and my conscience a little lighter – regarding the bird and its owner!

Dimensions: Length 150cm x Width 90cm x Height under roof tip 100cm.

The floor is split bamboo so the dove doesn’t have to stand on bare wire (apparently not good for its feet). The roof is corrugated metal – but under vegetation so it won’t be too hot in the tropical sun.

All modern conveniences

It has a nest, a bathtub with pondweed, a mirror, a shelf, food/water in ceramic pots, and a few perches made from driftwood I found on the beach. It’s fed on unhusked rice and leafy veg from the garden.

We’ ve learned that he’s a male Sundra Collared dove. The males make very different sounds to the females. I called him Bulu – which means feather in Indonesian – though the handyman thinks I’m a bit nuts – no animals are given names here!

I wonder if he’ll use the nest . . .

10/19/18 UPDATE! Dove Love!

Bulu & Bunga

Elizabeth was right when she said he’d probably attract a mate now that he has a nice home to offer. It happened sooner than I imagined.

Turns out my English neighbour loves pigeons and doves, so she chose a name. Meet Bunga, which means ‘Flower’ in Indonesian. She’s the one in the foreground.

They’ve been rearranging the nest, kissing and constantly calling to each other. Dove love!

Nina enjoys living and working from a garden in rural Bali. She’s a nature lover, artist and self-development coach. 

http://www.ninaedmondson.com

Books by Nina

For adults: 50 Things To Know For Your Mindfulness & Meditation Journey

For kids: What’s Your Favourite Thing?

 

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October 1, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Palomacy Party 2018: COO-CHELLA!!!!!

Palomacy Party 2018: COO-CHELLA!!!!!

We COO-CHELLA’d our tail feathers off! (Aria Jalali photo)

Wow! Wow wow wow! Our COO-CHELLA party Saturday 9/22 was awesome! We had so many amazing people and birds all gathered together in a big love fest! (Here’s our party playlist, courtesy of Ellie Paterson!) We were maxed out with more than 120 guests and together we all had great fun, learned a lot, made new friends, showed our #PigeonPride, and raised $4120 to help birds! Everything was donated! Everything! SF SPCA donated the space, our special guests donated their time and travel, our volunteers and supporters donated all the delicious food and beverages and the awesome decorations and treasure and prizes! I don’t even know how to express how incredibly grateful Palomacy is to you all. THANK YOU!

Come in! (Decorations created by Christiana Reed, Lara Speece photo)

So many people contributed so much to make COO-CHELLA special & no one more than amazing, heroic Christiana! (Ryan Reed photo)

Sophia & Nathan welcome you to COO-CHELLA (Lara Speece photo)

Welcome to party time! (Aria Jalali photo)

Our program by Suzy Cincone

Special Guest Commander Holly & First Officer Feathers (Thomas McLellan photo)

Commander Holly, Foggy & Ashley (Aria Jalali photo)

Jessica & Commander Holly & First Officer Feathers! (Photo courtesty of Jessica Waite)

Special guest fine art photographer Andrew Garn

Andrew Garn signing his books (Nina Roberts photo)

Andrew’s presentation was awesome! Rave reviews, including from international viewers!

COO-CHELLA rockstars Andrew Garn & Christiana Reed with Cadence (Ryan Reed photo)

Pigeon joy! (Aria Jalali photo)

Our amazing hosts- SF SPCA Humane Ed team: Lara with Winter, Maggie & Kat

Photo booth fun with Super Cheryl & Oyster (Elizabeth Young photo)

Sam & Emma & Penny

Ash, Cricket & Jenny (Lara Speece photo)

Jill & Maryam nom nom nom! (Aria Jalali photo)

We feasted! Thank you, Ellie & team! (Ryan Reed photo)

Ellie again led our amazing food team & the food was awesome!

“My friends were surprised that vegan food could be so good!” Uhhh, yeah!

L-R: Anton, Carole, Winter, Bob, Luis, Barna! Cheers! (Ryan Reed photo)

Barna brewed & served his home-crafted Pepe’s Weissbeir & Josette & Luis donated & served all the wine, sodas & water

THANK COO!!! (Ryan Reed photo)

Palomacy heartily thanks our amazing food and beverage volunteers and donors: Ellie Paterson, Clare Malone Prichard and Bob Prichard, Barna Mink, Josette Maury and Luis Maury-Cruz, Ranjini Subramaniam, Jill McMurchy, Chava Sonnier, Cheryl Dickinson, Ash VanNess, Steve Anderson, Chris Okon, Mariah Simoni-Wong, Margie Gear, Peggy Hartlein, Cinnaholic, Rainbow Grocery SF, Trader Joe’s SF, Gus’s Community Market and Target Albany!

Shae was busy all night staffing our merchandise table & raising funds for the birds

FleaCircusDesigns.com donated 60 adorable must-have pins plus an additional $2K (from the Poe Egglesworth campaign!)

Artist & Palomacy volunteer Ashley Dietrich donated a framed portrait of Violet

Four of five original watercolor paintings Artist Elizabeth Gold of @TheNativePigeon donated to support Palomacy

Thank you so very much to all of our incredibly generous donors and volunteers: Andrew Garn, Commander Holly, Flea Circus Designs, Ashley Dietrich, Meg Germundson, Lagunitas Brewing Company, A. Fulmer Pigeon Pants, Pet Food Express, The Native Pigeon, CuriOdyssey, Exploratorium, Oakland Zoo, Andrew Finkel, Pandemonium Aviaries, California Academy of Sciences, Cheryl Dickinson, Dr. Jackie Gai, Cynthia Zhou, Christiana Reed, Bob Loew, Emma Thomas, Ellie Paterson, Josette Maury, Saska Kanalve, Aria Jalali, Sarah Meyer Design, Suzy Cincone, Ryan Reed, Mickaboo, Maggie Amiano, Lara Speece, Kay Huang and the San Francisco SPCA!

Saska created special crafts just for the kids!

Saska’s DIY & world’s cutest bird puppets!

The artist as a young Riley

Super Cheryl providing expert bird advice (Aria Jalali photo)

Ashley & Foggy (Aria Jalali photo)

Party birb Internet star @Gregthedove (Lara Speece photo)

Jen & Eric & foster pigeons Boba & Cooper (Aria Jalali photo)

Nina & Foggy (Aria Jalali photo)

COO-CHELLIN’ (Aria Jalali photo)

Ms. Pidge & Lara (Photo courtesy of Lara Speece)

Zach & Chava brought Jonah & Ms. Pidge (Ryan Reed photo)

(Ryan Reed photo)

Riley & Saska (Shae Irving photo)

Gracie Cricket making friends (Aria Jalali photo)

Ranjini & José (Lara Speece photo)

Maryam & her Rango (Ryan Reed photo)

Birds relaxing

Sushi, straight out of the shelter, stopped at COO-CHELLA on her freedom ride

Arcas in her pod

There were three pigeons rescued (all by different attendees) on the way to COO-CHELLA

Maryam comforts the squeaker Cynthia & Jamie rescued on the way (Cynthia Bardouka-Large photo)

Rescuers Elizabeth, Lindsay & Holly (Holly selfie)

Cynthia & Arcas & Jamie & Miu (Aria Jalali photo)

Arcas & Miu (Aria Jalali photo)

Cleaning up & somehow, Christiana is still standing & still smiling. Truly an earth angel.

Andrew & Christiana- goodbye for now

Amazing Ellie of the Flowers, still smiling after so much work!

We did it! Here’s a little party video I posted live to Facebook that night and here’s another of the start of Andrew Garn’s amazing slideshow (neither does them justice). I truly can’t convey to you how fun and wonderful and special it was to all come together in celebration of the birds and people of Palomacy! To all who came, thank you for sharing this amazing event with us! For those of you who couldn’t be there, we missed you! Your support makes an important difference for Palomacy no matter where you are! And we’ve already picked the date for next year’s party- 10/19/19. Mark your calendars!

Peace out! (and great big huge thanks to artist Sarah Meyer for all of her generous support)

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September 11, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Destringing Pigeons: Freeing Feet and Opening Minds

Destringing Pigeons: Freeing Feet and Opening Minds

Guest Post by Suzy Cincone

Anyone who has lived in an urban environment has seen stringfoot pigeons; many wonder how the feet of these birds come to be bound and twisted, but few people seem to realize that something can be done to alleviate the suffering of these beautiful birds. Although I am a recent arrival to the world of destringing pigeons, this practice is certainly not a new phenomenon. The most perfunctory online search reveals a variety of stories from at least the last few decades of individuals who undertake pigeon destringing, and there are undoubtedly countless other individuals whose destringing activities have gone completely unnoticed and unheralded.

Not long ago I came across the intriguing case of British author and critic Naomi Lewis, noted for her animal advocacy and her pigeon rescue efforts. It isn’t clear precisely when her pigeon destringing efforts started. She moved with her family to London’s Red Lion Square in 1935 and lived there until her death in 2009; her apartment became a haven for injured creatures and famously off limits to visitors, although “she was once observed releasing a convalescent pigeon from one of the windows.”[i]An article from the London Times in 1995 commented on the plight of stringfoot pigeons in the city, and on Lewis’ activities — when the article was written, Lewis was already in her 80s: “The writer Naomi Lewis goes round London with a small pair of scissors especially to help them. She has become expert at spotting pigeons in this plight, pouncing on them, picking them up, and cutting them free.”[ii]More recently, an author once acquainted with Lewis noted her passion for rescuing stringfoot pigeons: “Luckily for them, she knew where they were. During her hours of cycling around and wandering the streets, distributing bird seed, she had learned where the crippled ones lived. Imagine her patience – the endless searching, trudging, scattering, waiting, day after day, until she eventually caught them.”[iii]The image of Lewis, an elderly, “diminutive, velvet-clad woman,”[iv]bicycling and trudging about London in search of stringfoot pigeons is compelling and inspiring. Perhaps part of what draws me to the story of Lewis is that articles that mention her (including her obituaries) suggest, in the nicest way possible, that she was quite an eccentric, and her attraction to urban pigeons seems to be one of the factors that contributed to this assessment of her character. We who love pigeons are keenly aware that this love is often equated with eccentricity.

Judging by the reactions I have seen among people on the street who witness the process of pigeon destringing, it is an activity generally perceived as eccentric, and at first the reasons it is needed and done are difficult for observers to grasp. But once these somewhat confused and often skeptical bystanders understand what is going on and why, they are just as often supportive of efforts on behalf of pigeons and some are even anxious to participate. The evidence before their eyes helps to convince observers of both the beauty of these birds and our responsibility to help them. The destringing of urban pigeons can be seen as much more, therefore, than simply an effort to assist wild creatures to have lives free of suffering. It is one more way that we pigeon champions can help to normalize the public perception of all pigeons as valued and valuable creatures.

 

The Destringing Process in Action

What is the experience of destringing a pigeon like, and how is it done? There are many others who have been destringing for years, have handled countless stringfoot pigeons, and are so much more well-qualified than I to discuss this experience. With apologies, therefore, for my inexperience, I’d like to recount one of my own destringing experiences in San Francisco as a way of introducing the destringing process in general.

 

  1. Finding a stringfoot pigeon

Last week, a Muni failure forced me off the train at Church and Duboce. I had my destringing kit with me; I was headed for the Embarcadero, where there is a large population of stringfoot pigeons. Walking towards Market Street, I passed the Safeway parking lot and caught a glimpse of a pigeon flock there, browsing, preening, and flirting. Just in case, I stopped to check on them — and immediately spotted a beautiful white and grey girl with string on her feet, her feet bound together, barely able to walk.

  1. Catching the stringfoot pigeon

A crucial aspect of the destringing process is, of course, catching the pigeon. This is an acquired skill (one I am still working on), that requires much practice and patience. For those living in cities that are fortunate enough to have Stringfoot Pigeon groups, one of the best ways to learn how to catch pigeons is one-on-one expert coaching.(For Jodie Foreman’s invaluable pigeon-catching tutorial, please see this video provided by the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group:https://youtu.be/xgwO4EVKVxM.) Destringers seem to each develop their own approach to catching birds. For myself, I find that the position and disposition of the pigeon are the most important factors. I have the greatest likelihood of success if the pigeon is facing towards me (can’t easily fly away); is hemmed in by other birds; and has shifted its attention from me to the food I am dropping. After three tries and almost giving up all hope, I managed to catch this white and grey stringfoot girl.

  1. Destringing

The actual destringing can range from a simple process, when the string or hair is easy to see, loosely wound, and easily removed, to a monumental challenge when the material is voluminous, woven in complex layers, deeply embedded in the foot, or has already caused a lot of tissue damage and deformity. Although each case is very different, at the most basic level the process involves spraying the foot with something like Vetricyn to clean, loosen, and soften the fibers, dirt, and any dead tissue; and then very gently loosening, cutting, and unwinding fibers from the foot. Unwinding when possible instead of simply cutting helps to ensure that no hair or thread remains embedded in the skin. (There is a very helpful tutorial illustrating the destringing process provided by the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group: https://youtu.be/K9frBh9nrFk.) Fortunately for me and for this pretty pigeon, her string — which looked like a combination of twine and dental floss — was easy to see and remove, although cutting into her foot quite deeply.

  1. Releasing the pigeon

Of course, once the pigeon’s feet are free and disinfected, the pigeon should be released back where caught and, if possible, in sight of her flock, who she will want to join quickly in order to recount her unpleasant adventure.

 

  1. Why we do it, when we shouldn’t, and how you can help

One of the factors that motivates me to destring stringfoot pigeons seems so self-evident that it almost goes without saying: these pigeons cannot remove string from their own feet. If you take a moment to really consider this simple fact, however, the enormity of it can be overwhelming. To realize this fact is to accept the knowledge that each and every stringfoot pigeon will live their entire lives in ever-increasing pain, acquiring infections, losing digits and feet, and becoming unable to perform the basic activities required to live, unless a human sees their need, picks them up, and frees their feet.

Alongside the recognition of this need, destringers also have to realize their own limitations. Even in the brief time I have been destringing, I have seen heartbreaking examples of pigeons with deformed and painful stringfeet who I simply could not catch. The numerous destringers who have more experience than I must have countless such stories. Jodie Foreman, who started the “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” group and several groups in other US cities, told me that when she is out but does not have her destringing kit with her, she tries to resist looking at pigeons (I believe she now carries her kit at all times!). Although it is hard to resist, there is no advantage to catching a stringfoot pigeon if one is unprepared to destring, and destringers advocate against removing any pigeon from its flock, its mate, and possibly its babies.

There are many resources available for anyone interested in helping to free the feet of these beautiful birds. The facebook group “San Francisco Pigeons – Stringfoot help” (and groups in Denver, Chicago, Washington, Seattle, and Los Angeles) provides a wealth of information about finding, catching, destringing, and the complex issues that can arise in the destringing process. Experienced destringers on these forums give generously of their time to answer questions, give advice, and provide training.

There are few forms of wildlife rescue that demand as little from the rescuer as destringing stringfoot pigeons. If you are willing to do some research, buy a handful of supplies, and you have a bit of time, you can doubtless find stringfoot pigeons in need of help near you, regardless of where you are. And it is difficult to imagine another rescue activity that can provide the same level of instantly transformative relief from pain and disability, and lasting impact on quality of life, as freeing the feet of these gentle and beautiful creatures.

 

Suzy is a pigeon supporter and Palomacy volunteer who will soon be studying Veterinary Nursing in New Zealand in order to improve her skills rescuing birds of all types. She’s hoping to start a Stringfoot Pigeon Group in New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

[i]“Naomi Lewis,” The Telegraph, 3 August 2009.

[ii]Derwent May, “Feather Report: Trapped by Nature’s Fickle Hand,” The Times(London)

Section 4:1 (p.52).

[iii]Michele Hanson, “What the saviour of London’s pigeons taught me about the problem with plastic,” The Guardian 5 Feb 2018 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/05/what-saviour-london-pigeons-taught-me-about-problem-with-plastic). Please note that although this article is extolling the dangers of plastic, cotton thread is actually as much of a threat to the welfare of pigeons as nylon thread.

[iv]“Naomi Lewis,” The Telegraph, 3 August 2009.

 

Editor’s addition

See also How Do Pigeons’ Feet Get Injured?

Patience, 6/20/10

Destringers Faye, Liese, Gary & Mary

Destringing is on the spot rescue

So much relief when the string is gone

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September 11, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on How to Catch a Pigeon (or Dove) in Need of Rescue

How to Catch a Pigeon (or Dove) in Need of Rescue

Guest Post by Cynthia Bardouka-Large

Two white pigeons hanging out in a park

Audrey Kane rescued these lost DIY “dove release” survivors

These young King pigeons, rescued by Audrey, were living on borrowed time (domestic with no survival skills, easy prey for every predator).

The people who contact Palomacy often have no previous experience with pigeons or bird rescue. They did not wake up in the morning expecting to cross paths with a pigeon, but then an unexpected guest lands in their backyard, or on their roof, and it seems like something other than a random city pigeon.  Perhaps it has an unusual appearance, or bands on its legs, perhaps it is alone with no flock, perhaps it seems weak or unable to fly. There’s no doubt that this is a pigeon in need of help, either because it is ill, starving, or a domestic breed lacking in survival skills. Pigeons and doves are preyed upon by hawks, ravens, gulls, cats, raccoons, rats, and more and, if you can catch the bird, she needs to be caught. 

King pigeon Pearl asking for help. (We call this self-rescue.)

Domestic Roller pigeon Francesco self-rescued (http://www.pigeonrescue.org/2017/08/29/what-kind-of-bird-is-this/)

The “sport” of pigeon racing creates lots of lost, starved and/or injured domestic pigeons who need help

But how to catch?

First, rest assured that catching a pigeon is indeed possible, and safe- for both the bird and for you. Your catching the bird will be a lot safer for her than if a predator catches her. You will not scare a pigeon to death or give her a heart attack. And pigeons are harmless to us. They can’t really bite (no teeth and their beak is soft and weak) and, contrary to popular belief, you are highly unlikely to ever be made sick by a pigeon. There are very few diseases that you can catch from them and you are far, far more likely to get sick from a dog or cat (or be struck by lightning, actually). Simple soap-and-water hand washing after handling any animal can reduce the chances of illness to near zero.

So, let’s catch the pigeon!

There are a few different methods that have a good success rate.  Much will depend on what you are most comfortable with and what kind of shape the pigeon is in.

The first and easiest method is simply to scoop the pigeon up in your hands. People often tell us that they have found a pigeon that seems exceptionally tame and friendly and allowed itself to be picked up.  If you can just pick it up, though, there’s a good chance that the pigeon is in real trouble. It may be starving, dehydrated, and/or injured.  The Palomacy network (join here) can help you find a pigeon-friendly rescue or avian vet, and will advise you on getting the bird emergency and supportive care. 

How to hold a pigeon

How to hold a (big!) pigeon

A bird that tries to get away from you, but is weak or unable to fly, can often be walk-herded into a corner or inside through an open door and then caught (by hand or with a blanket, towel, or sweater). Drop the cloth over the bird and gently pick it up inside the cloth. Make sure the bird’s wings are folded against its sides, and hold it so that your hands encircle the wings and body, to prevent panicked flapping.  A bird in this condition will likely need to be assessed by an expert.

Is your visitor lively? Flies away when you get too close? It’s good to see a strong and healthy pigeon, but this will present a challenge in actually getting your hands on the bird. The method that most often succeeds in catching a bird that is unwilling to be caught, is the crate-and-string method. You’ll need a cage or crate of some kind — a black wire dog crate works well. Put seeds and water deep in the center of the cage (beyond the reach of a clever bird who pokes her head in from the sides or back), and a thin trail of seeds leading up to the cage door (not too much, the bird needs to be hungry to risk entering what they know is a trap). Pigeons are especially fond of chopped peanuts and safflower seeds, but an ordinary bird seed mix for either pet or wild birds will work. Even rice -cooked or raw- can work in a pinch (there is a persistent myth that rice is harmful for birds, but it’s actually fine to use) or dry lentils, quinoa, crushed cereal, etc. will work for a hungry bird.

This is pigeon feed & any similar bird or people food works for a hungry pigeon

You’ll want to tie a long piece of string to the cage door in such a way as, when you pull it, the door pulls closed, and then sit at some distance, with the string in your hand. You might need to be out of the bird’s line of vision if it is particularly skittish. Eventually the bird should enter the cage to get the food, at which point you will pull on the string to close the door. Be patient. This can take some time (days even, just leave the door open when you’re not around & only put food inside so they have to go in) but is a very reliable and bird-friendly method. If the pigeon panics after the door is closed and starts thrashing around, cover the crate with a blanket to help calm her and bring the crate and bird indoors to safety. (You can’t leave her outside as predators can do terrible damage to an unsafely confined bird.) And don’t feel badly about having caught her. You most likely just saved her life and she’ll calm down.

A crate with a string-rigged door saved these pigeons. Click image for short video.

 

Crate rigged to catch a domestic but shy pigeon

Another method for catching a healthy unwilling pigeon is what we call the Wile E. Coyote box trap (see a video here).  Take a medium size box or laundry basket, turn it upside down and prop up one end with a stick. Place food and water underneath the box, with a trail leading up to it. Tie a string to the bottom part of the stick, and sit at a distance away with the other end of the string in your hand. When the pigeon ventures under the box to get the food, pull the string to remove the stick, and the box will fall, trapping the pigeon underneath.  

DIY stick & box type trap

You will at this point need to carefully reach underneath the box to get the pigeon. You won’t be able to see what you’re doing, because if you lift the box too high the pigeon will escape. You might try putting a big blanket over the box and yourself, while you try to catch the pigeon.  Your neighbors will wonder about you. But it can work.

You can also buy or create a humane trap with a one-way door so that once they’ve gone in, they can’t get back out. (Monitor the trap closely though and do not leave out unsupervised or overnight. Once trapped, the bird will attract and be terribly vulnerable to predators including rats, cats, hawks, raccoons, ravens, gulls, dogs, etc.)

Humane trap (one-way door) baited with bird seed

If you catch extra pigeons, you let them go once you’ve secured the one who needed rescuing

A third method for catching a pigeon is to find where it is roosting at night.  Pigeons have very poor night vision, and tend to hold still in the dark if they sense danger approaching, hoping that it passes them by. You may be able to climb a ladder and grab the pigeon with your hands. This works best if done in the dark so turn lights off and let your eyes adjust (yours will, the pigeon’s won’t). Then very quietly and without hesitation, grab the bird with both hands around the body. Be prepared for her to startle and try to get away. Don’t let go and make that first grab count because if she gets away, she’ll risk flying off even in the dark.

The final method is one that takes a bit of practice, plus good reflexes and careful timing.  It is best used on a pigeon that is hanging out with a wild flock, and it’s the method that we use for “destringing” work, when we are trying to catch wild pigeons who are suffering from injuries to their feet caused by string and debris wrapped around their toes (ever wondered why city pigeons often have missing toes or deformed feet? Now you know!) With this method, you’ll spread a generous amount of food on the ground, in a line that measures three or four inches wide and about a foot and a half long. Stand fairly close to the food with your feet spread a distance apart. The pigeons should approach and cluster around, trying to eat as much as possible and certainly more than the pigeons on either side of them.  They will be eyeing the food and each other, while you stand nearby, periodically sprinkling more food. Keep your eye on the pigeon you want to catch. Slowly advance until your open hand is hovering, palm down, immediately above the pigeon, then, in one swift motion, drop your hand down, pinning the bird to the ground. It really helps to practice this multiple times, using a shoe or a loaf of bread in place of the pigeon.  You’re going to be going very quickly from a standing to a crouching or lunging position, and you don’t want to topple over, so practice the motion until you feel confident.

It may look like the pigeon is being crushed in the videos but we promise you- she’s not. The catcher’s open fingers hit the ground making a basket of sorts around the bird so she’s pinned but not harmed so that they can then remove the painful, crippling entangled string from her feet (see more here). 

If you try and miss, the pigeons may scatter and be skittish for a time, but overcoming their caution is sometimes just a matter of moving the food to a slightly different location.  You usually get multiple chances. This is not because pigeons are stupid (they are not), but because pigeons are more trusting than most birds (and very hungry). Despite a long history of mistreatment at the hands of human beings, their species, in general, has a benevolent view of ours.  It’s just one reason we do the work we do at Palomacy.

Once caught, you must bring the bird indoors to safety. The vast majority of cages are made only to confine a bird indoors and are not at all safe outside. Leaving a bird outdoors in an indoor cage is basically creating a foraging toy for predators. Hawks, raccoons, cats, rats can all do terrible damage to an unsafely caged bird, right through the bars. (Learn about cage safety here.) Once safely indoors, you need to find a pigeon-friendly expert to help you assess the bird. Many are in critical condition by the time they are caught but recognizing that and supporting them through it takes knowledge and experience. The fastest way to get guidance and referrals is by joining our Palomacy Help Group and posting the situation, your location and photos of the bird. You can also learn some basics here: How to Care for a Rescued Pigeon.

 


Cynthia Bardouka-Large is a Sacramento based artist. She loves all animals, especially cats, birds, spiders and insects. She and her daughter rescue “stringfoot” pigeons as a hobby, and a year ago they were chosen by a self-rescuing young King pigeon. The whole family has since gone down the rabbit hole of learning about, and advocating for, pigeons as companion animals.

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August 29, 2018
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on “Puppy Training” Pigeons Rescued

“Puppy Training” Pigeons Rescued

Warning: This post is about cruelty and while no graphic images are included, it may be upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.

“Dog Training Birds”

Cooper &amp; Wicket are "dog birds" rescued by Palomacy in 2017. Note the chopped off wing &amp; tail feathers. (Their feathers have long since regrown.)

Cooper & Wicket were “dog birds” rescued by Palomacy in 2017. Note the chopped off wing & tail feathers. (Their feathers have since regrown.)

Heartbreakingly, pigeons are used to train hunting dogs. Sometimes they are “planted” out in fields (with severely clipped feathers or tied and staked by a leg or “dizzied” to keep them in place) for the dogs to find, or they are “released” with a remote control device called a “launcher” from which, in theory, they fly back to the hunter’s coop to be reused for another training session. Ultimately though, the “dog birds” are killed. How-to articles describe ways to trap feral pigeons to use or where you can buy pigeons bred for this purpose as well as “surplus” racers and show birds sold cheap for this market. Pigeons are sold through hunters’ forums, used by dog training companies, recommended by the AKC, and though selling animals is against the terms of service on craigslist, many “dog training” pigeons are sold there too… we flag these ads (among others) as prohibited and though they are taken down, they quickly reappear.

The Video

While this use of pigeons is commonplace, it is not something those outside of the hunting dog world usually see but on Friday, August 17th, a puppy trainer’s video that she had posted to Facebook and which had been widely shared (especially by a group called Shame Fame) reached our Palomacy group. The video, seen now over 12,000 times on Facebook alone, showed the trainer laughingly using a live pigeon as a lure and toy to engage a puppy in “get the bird”. The trainer and puppy are having great fun and the poor pigeon, eerily composed and compliant (probably both shut down in learned helplessness as well as in a de-escalating survival strategy), endures the grabbing and dragging by both human and dog with gut-wrenching dignity. We later learned that the pigeon survives and was returned to a large pen with the other birds kept for this terrifying and painful purpose. (Click this link if you want to see the video.)

Screenshot of trainer using a live pigeon (held by his wings) for the puppy to "get the bird"

Screenshot from the video showing a trainer using a live pigeon (held by his wings) for the puppy to “get the bird”

The puppy playing with the live pigeon while trainer praises

Over & over the trainer uses the live pigeon to engage the puppy

Over & over the trainer uses the live pigeon to engage the puppy

The puppy pounces on the pigeon gripped by the trainer

The puppy pounces on the pigeon gripped by the trainer

Many people, from all over the world, reacted with horror and anger and hurt to see this living being treated with such cruel disregard. Along with the understandably negative comments, there was a lot of ugliness including threats made against the trainer and kennel, negative reviews that tanked their business’ customer rating and so much angry attention that they pulled down their Facebook page. One person, pigeon lover and Palomacy Group member David Schaeffer of the Netherlands, made it his mission to save this pigeon and he succeeded! And four others too. Thanks to David’s successful negotiation with the kennel owner, Palomacy volunteer and Texas bird rescuer Bailey Knight was allowed to pick up all five pigeons the Texas kennel had been using for dog training. The kennel owners, in the process of retiring and selling their business, were willing to surrender the pigeons in a bid to end the negative attention they were getting. The kennel owner said to me when we spoke about their surrender, I never imagined there was a group like this helping pigeons!

Bailey takes a selfie with one of the huge rescued pigeons

Bailey sent us a selfie with one of the huge rescued pigeons as soon as she got home

Bailey writes, “It was only about an hour’s drive from my home, so I was more than happy to help get these pigeons to safety. I was lucky that the kennel owners had caught all of the pigeons the morning of pickup; when I arrived the 5 lucky survivor pigeons were in a blue “bird crate” and the kennel owner was outside waiting for me.

She greeted me warmly and we shook hands. She was very kind and grabbed one of my pet carriers from my car, and then we made our way over to the crate.

I had brought a dark sheet along and I put this over the crate to calm the birds, and to do my best to prevent them from flying away while we transferred them from the crate and into my two carriers. The kennel owner helped me by sliding the crate door open each time I had secured another bird with my hands, so the process was fairly straightforward and easy, which meant less stress for both us and the birds.

I admit that when we heard the pigeons were being kept in an 100’x 80’ pen, I imagined I’d be chasing these poor birds around with a net during the hottest part of the day…that’s at least 100° in Texas this time of year! I was grateful that they were contained and that we were able to finally have them safe.

We both carried the pigeons back to my car and loaded them into the back seat (and then I secured the carriers for everyone’s safety on their freedom ride out of there!).

The kennel owner and I talked for probably about 20-30 minutes, baking in the sun, and our conversation ended with a hug! We were both very open and honest with each other about how we each felt about pigeons, we talked about how they got their pigeons, and about pigeon racing. I was surprised to hear that some racers refused to sell her any birds when she told them what they’d be used for. We talked about dogs, her rescue horses, and retirement…lots of things!

She even told me that if we wanted to make a difference for these pigeons that are used for dog training, we’d have to start with the American Kennel Club. From what I understood, it is standard practice for the AKC to use pigeons for their field trials and they purchase 2.5 pigeons for each dog entered. I admit I have not researched or confirmed this.

My point is, at the end of our conversation, she seemed willing to help in our battle against pigeon exploitation; she offered advice in our favor. I wondered if we had made a new ally of pigeons that day.”

 

Success!

Once safely surrendered to Palomacy, the five pigeons, in surprisingly okay condition (though they are no doubt bruised and sore), were transferred to the wonderful care of Palomacy supporter and epic bird rescuer Friederike Pfeiffer (formerly of Sunnyvale, CA) and her bird sanctuary B2L House (now located in Texas). Though they might look like oversize ferals, they can never be released. These pigeons are actually a very large domestic breed called “Giant Runt”, bred for show and these sold off cheap for not meeting the standard. These five banded and NPA registered pigeons, who had to endure such cruelty and amazingly survived it, will never have another worry in the world. Now, they are safe and loved, with Friederike forever. She has named them Liberty, Justice, Peace, Victory and Freedom.

Friederike welcomes the rescued “puppy training” pigeons. I believe this is the bird shown in the video. She is now named Freedom.

Freedom on the perch, Liberty courts Peace who is eating. They’ll be moved into a new aviary soon.

Justice & Victory

Palomacy thanks David, Bailey, Friederike and all who helped to make this rescue possible. While we are a San Francisco Bay Area rescue, our busy Palomacy Group is actively helping birds all over the country and beyond and we are extremely proud to have played a part in getting these poor Texas pigeons rescued. While it makes a life and death difference for these individuals, it does nothing to stop this cruelty. We are all harmed by the indifference and lack of compassion that permits this and so many other torments to continue. Learn more about how to love animals and to stop their exploitation here. Donate in support of our work here. Thank you.

 

And, in his own words, here is David’s story about rescuing the “puppy training” pigeons.

How a Guy from Europe Helped Save Pigeons in Texas

Hello everyone,
I’ve been asked to write something for Palomacy about the pigeon rescue at a Texan kennel over Saturday through Wednesday. (From my perspective in Europe). Bear with me, I’d rather try and rehabilitate an aggressive pitbull than write a piece but here goes.

Where do I even begin? I don’t feel I did that much? I will just tell the story from my perspective. The video showing pigeons being used for gun dog training came to my attention when it was shared on Palomacy’s Facebook group and like “all” of us it got me angry and upset.

My feelings were the same as everyone else’s, something along the lines of “I’d like to do the same thing to the abuser” but I also don’t believe in abuse, period, none of it. At this point I was still mostly commenting out of emotion trying to keep it in jest but decided I was going to gather any evidence I could find and corroborate. Eventually I decided to send a message with links about pigeons’ level of self awareness and intelligence to the kennel. Trying hard to quell my emotions and follow hanlon’s razor. “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity (or ignorance), but don’t rule out malice” to keep myself and my language use in check. I promptly got blocked and the Facebook page went private not much later. I lost it again, “they must not care then” I concluded, a logical fallacy I normally pride myself on trying to avoid. I proceeded to spread the video to another group asking people to join and help us do something about this. I’ve said some things I regret in hindsight. I needed sleep it was around 5 am here.

The following day I, of course, got immediately sucked back into it when I checked my Facebook. I didn’t really make a conscious decision, I just ended up doing what I considered was important legwork. I started posting comments advocating awareness is the key thing to promote, continued storing verifiable evidence. I also received evidence of people uttering threats of violence and committing verbal abuse against individuals at the kennel. I started advocating abuse doesn’t solve abuse, it’s a logical paradox. Committing abuse also completely undermines any validity an anti-abuse movement of any kind has. Just, food for thought perhaps.

But I digress, I also started looking into legal avenues and was in touch with SPCA Texas but not much came of that. Not much surprise there since I later verified the practice wasn’t breaking any local laws. There is much work to do still. So that’s that I thought, not illegal, can’t agree with some of the things thrown the kennel’s way. Nothing more I can do that doesn’t conflict with my morals but then a message popped up. It was the owner of the kennel! Breathe, in out, remember Hanlon’s razor, be objective, calm, factual and prepared to hear the owner out as we expect them to. “While I’m in the group you speak of, I don’t follow the herd as it were. I make my own decisions. I’m not actively out to hurt your business, I want practices like these to stop that is all.” I received a completely reasonable response, correcting a mistake in the original message and a token of appreciation that I was not one spreading the name of the individual in the footage.

In the resulting conversation, I did not hide my opinions or how I felt, I just expressed my opinion matter of factly and instead of expressing my emotions, I simply stated what my feelings were, simply stating outright that I disagree with the practice and won’t apologize for that opinion but that I also do not condone (and I sincerely don’t) some of the things that were thrown their way. I just listened to her perspective on events for a large part, offering comments here and there. I told her a few things about pigeons, just a starter, we agreed to meet again online the next day and I would tell her all about pigeons and have scientific sources to substantiate my claims.

I spent a lot of time after our conversation doing “damage control”, trying to get people to stop activities against the kennel and once more expressing my opinion on using abuse to fight abuse. Not much else I could do but hope some people will listen as much as they listened when I was promoting action. Tried to reach out to other groups I heard had the video, informing them there is a dialogue with the owner with varying degrees of success. It is extremely important a dialogue is established and is kept going in my opinion. It’s like a war- you can’t do diplomacy with the guns still firing. Can’t converse with all that racket! It was getting morning again. Need some sleep.

Most of the following day I spent collecting scientific sources, evidence either way, everything I could possibly need for the second online meeting with the owner. The second meeting took a completely unexpected turn. Again the owner opened with some additional information and then telling me in light of all this information it’s been decided to stop using the pigeons, and asking if it was okay to release them.

Honestly, it took me quite a while to respond, I was staring at my screen blinking, I don’t know how long exactly. Here I was, with a pile of proverbial ammunition to make my case about pigeons. If I had known, I could have caught up on some more hours of sleep deprivation!!!

I asked her to not release the pigeons, that I would like them to be checked over and evaluated by a rescue for what would be best for each pigeon, a home or a feral life. Provided I could arrange it all the way from here. She agreed. Despite having come to an agreement immediately, the owner still listened to me babble on about pigeons. Even showed her pidges in diapers! While we were talking about, pigeons and several other subjects I reached out to Elizabeth of Palomacy and a few others to get something sorted as fast as we could muster. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”.
A few phone-calls between Elizabeth and the owner, some time and a volunteer who drove 60 miles to handle physical pick-up, (thank you Bailey!) and then pigeons were retrieved and brought into care with Palomacy.

Last I heard the owner was giving some useful information for the fight against abuse like this. I am elated, exhausted, made friends, enemies but mostly mentally exhausted, very, very exhausted. This has been a victory I suppose but also a cautionary tale. One can only unleash a mob, there’s no controlling it. Many things have happened that I think are morally indefensible no matter the cause and I’d like to apologize for what my part played in causing some people to threaten with violence, death and slinging verbal abuse at individuals who work at the kennel. I did not want that. It’s a slippery slope and an easy trap to fall into for anyone. Before one knows it, one has become what one was trying to fight. 

I hope I haven’t bored you all to tears and I hope these events in some way help in the future. Maybe it can be used to create real change. There is only so much I can do beyond my own country.

Sincerely
David Schaeffer

Please keep in mind many people were involved in this entire thing, many boards. I can’t possibly take so much credit for this. I just want to tackle any abuse when I can and help animals. I’m available should anyone want to enquire about something. d.schaeffer.enquiries@gmail.com

David & his rescued pigeon Quasi

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