Our foster volunteers save the lives of birds who otherwise would have no place to go
People usually assume that Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions has a place, a shelter or sanctuary, from which to do our life-saving, culture-changing work but we don’t. We depend on volunteers to foster birds in their homes and backyard aviaries and at a couple of partner sites to do this work. And we depend on volunteers to help respond to the urgent calls from finders and shelters about birds in need. We depend on volunteers to promote and publicize and inspire adoptions and support for these amazing birds. We depend on volunteers to coach potential adopters, to produce events, to fundraise, aviary-build, cage-transport, rush birds to vets, and so much more!
Volunteer Team launches Ploughshares Nursery Aviary
Volunteer ambassador Natalie & Noodles
Volunteers support our Lobby Pigeon project at HSSV
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Palomacy and so I was excited when I saw an incredible offer from the Humane Society of the US and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to apply to participate in their free Rescue Group Program Assessment to survey our volunteers and provide concrete steps to improve organizational effectiveness.
Now, our volunteer survey is up and available to complete until Thursday, February 14th. We need your input to do this important work to the best of our abilities. Please- if you are a current or past volunteer for Palomacy, take a few minutes to complete the survey. This is a really great opportunity for Palomacy and your voice is critical!
Dear Palomacy Supporters,
We are really interested in gaining feedback regarding our volunteers’ experience with us. Your time and energy are precious resources and we want to ensure that together we are all able to best help the birds and people counting on us.
I’m very happy to tell you that we applied and have been chosen to receive a “free assessment designed to help rescue groups run more effectively by surveying volunteers and making specific recommendations to improve the volunteer program based on the anonymous survey results. The Rescue Group Program Assessment (RGPA) was created by the Organizational Science department of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNCC) in partnership with The HSUS. The survey addresses organizational commitment, volunteer recognition, communication, competence, role ambiguity, work satisfaction, satisfaction with other volunteers, organizational constraints and burnout.” (You can read more about it here.)
To that end, I would like to ask all supporters who are 1) currently volunteering for our organization, or 2) have volunteered in the past, to complete an online survey.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has donated their time to create and then analyze the survey data collected. I believe this will be very helpful to us.
Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary and all your answers will be kept anonymous.
Your voice, opinions, and beliefs are very important to our effectiveness and for making positive change. Below is the link from the research team at UNC Charlotte. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete at most and will be open until February 14th. Should you have any questions about the survey, please contact the UNC Charlotte research team at volprogram@uncc.edu
Once the survey responses have been submitted and analyzed, the RGPA team generates a report, helps interpret the results, and assists in building a plan to improve our volunteer operations. The Humane Society of the US provides the RGPA to rescue groups at no cost.
Thank you for your service to Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions. I do hope you’ll participate in this process to improve our organization and the work that we do together.
With your help, we accomplished so much this past year! The concept of Palomacy- pigeon diplomacy- is being embraced and put into action all over. Palomacy is more than the name of a rescue, it is a movement. We’ve engaged new partners in support of pigeon rescue; we’ve built beautiful, safe aviaries for birds who otherwise would have no place to be. Our ever-strengthening presence on social media is helping to bring together pigeon and dove lovers from all over the world. Together, we saved hundreds of birds in 2015 and we are better positioned than ever to make a unique difference in 2016. Thank you for helping us to inspire compassion and save lives. I’ve put together a slideshow review of Palomacy in 2015. Check it out. You’ll be amazed to see all that you helped make happen (and this is only a fraction of what we did)!
Thank you for being part of our life-saving, culture-changing community!
Wishing you a very happy, healthy, peaceful and compassionate new year.
January 1, 2016
by Elizabeth Comments Off on Craig Newmark: Our Biggest Supporter!
Bird lover & philanthropist Craig Newmark visits with Amelio & Pat
I am so happy to tell you that we are the proud and very grateful recipients of a $10,000 grant from the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund!
Once again (this is the second year that Craig has invested $10K in our work), Craig’s support ensures that we are able to continue this unique effort. Every month, despite the generous support of our donors and our extreme frugality, we teeter on the edge of being in the red. Every bird we help requires a tremendous leap of faith because we never have money in the bank… we struggle with financial insecurity as a constant threat to the work that we do.
And we are doing very important work! We are the only rescue in Northern California dedicated to helping domestic pigeons and doves. We may be the only one in the country! The work that we are doing is so unprecedented that we had to create a new word for it- palomacy.
We struggle every day to keep up with all that needs doing. We care for 100 pigeons and doves in our foster homes; we respond to the constant requests to help at-risk birds in shelters and found as strays; we counsel people with birds on how to care for them, keep them, do right by them… We work to promote awareness about homeless birds; to develop and coordinate adoptions; to provide humane education about these most common and yet completely misunderstood birds; to inspire compassion. And, while doing all of that, we have to fundraise too.
So a grant like this is extremely wonderful news!
Thank you, Craig, for all of your leadership, advocacy and charitable giving in support of so many worthy causes and thank you for including Palomacy among them!
Thanks to a lot of help from a lot of supporters, we continue to make remarkable strides on behalf of pigeon rescue! On Saturday December 19th, we finished building and introduced the first lucky pigeons into our brand new foster aviary located on a wonderful site generously provided by Ploughshares Nursery of Alameda. It is 16′ x 8′ x 8′ and, when full, will house 24 foster pigeons safely and comfortably, as they wait to be adopted into their forever home.
The Road to Ploughshares
One day in November 2014, Alameda resident Debbie found a domestic pigeon huddled weak and helpless in some bushes. Debbie was new to birds but knew this one needed help. She took her home and reached out to Palomacy. We were too full to take the pigeon, now called Ajax, into our care, but we coached Debbie who fostered her in fine style. Debbie purchased a beautiful big cage for Ajax and then took in a second foster pigeon, the handsome bachelor Theo from SFACC, to be a mate for Ajax. Along the way, Debbie, seeing how many birds needed help, got an idea. What about building a foster aviary at the beautiful, nonprofit neighborhood nursery? Debbie reached out to the staff at Ploughshares and they were interested!
Nice house!
Theo & Ajax share a bath
We did a site visit together, I eventually got the proposal submitted & Ploughshares said, Yes!
Debbie & Indy & Shimmy mark the spot
In urgent need for added foster space, we launched our crowdfunding campaign on December 10th with an ambitious plan to raise the funds needed and build the aviary all in nine days! (Thanks to some very generous donors, we had a headstart with half of the money needed already pledged.)
Launching our fundraising campaign
Our volunteer builders scoped out the site and finalized our design on December 11th…
Our amazing aviary builders Luis & Josette
SUCCESS!
Along with the challenge of bringing all the pieces together as quickly as possible, the threat of rainy storms added to the excitement. Thanks to the skills and stamina of our fast builders and some good weather, the base and back wall were installed on Thursday and then other volunteers joined in on Friday to get the majority of the structure done.
Walls going up
Friday’s volunteer builders
Thankfully, our crowdfunding campaign was also successful and when it ended on Friday night, we had achieved 101% of our goal (which was matched by Debbie taking us to the total $3K needed)!
We made it! THANK YOU!
Saturday, the day that all week had promised rain, dawned with beautiful blue skies and big fluffy clouds. We had lots of help with all the finishing touches and to welcome our first residents into their brand new foster aviary!
Getting the floor tiles in
Making the nest box towers
This nest box tower will accomodate four mated pairs
A few of our many wonderful helpers
Dooby & Whimsy waiting patiently
Introducing our first foster pigeons
Whimsy joins her friend Newark while Dooby watches
Newark says Thank You!
This big, beautiful space is a big upgrade for these five foster pigeons
This aviary is going to make a life-saving difference for a lot of pigeons
We Still Need You!
While the aviary has been installed, there is still lots more to do! We’ve got another nest box tower to build and install, real signs and pigeon profiles to make and post, floor finishing to do and daily care volunteers to recruit and train. Pigeons in an aviary are easy to care for but they do need some daily attention. Would you like to join our Alameda Aviary Team and help with the daily care? It’s very simple- and only requires about 20 minutes a day. They need fresh food and water, a poop scrape to clean up, a check of all the nests for real eggs (to be traded for fake eggs to prevent breeding). You can spend time watching and interacting with these beautiful birds and helping to socialize and publicize them too. We provide all the supplies and are happy to train you. (No prior bird experience required.) Please contact Elizabeth if you’re already a Palomacy volunteer and would like to participate or complete our volunteer application to get signed up.)
We also have a wall that needs a gorgeous, pro-pigeon mural to help tell the Palomacy story! Please contact Elizabeth if you can help with this very special project! See below for an exciting update!)
We’ll be adding more foster pigeons (up to 24 total) and participating in events to promote and publicize these beautiful, adoptable birds!
Palomacy Loves Ploughshares!
Our aviary is located about 50 yards in to the right
Come by and say Hi!
THANK YOU!
Thank you SO VERY MUCH to all of you for helping to create this amazing, life-saving home for Palomacy foster pigeons! Your generous donations of time, money, skills and resources make the difference between life and death for the birds that we are helping. Extra special thanks to Debbie for all you have done (and are doing) in support of this project and to our wonderful friends at Ploughshares Nursery and the Alameda Point Collaborative.
Debbie, Whimsy & Dooby
UPDATE 12/29/15
We had birds waiting for the life-saving shelter of this aviary and, as of 12/29, we are now fostering 14 very lucky pigeons there. The flock includes Whimsy, Dooby, Newark, Big Red, White Lightnin’, Charlie Chocolate Thunderpants, Mr. Vivian, Smokey, Max, Batman, Mocha, Delilah, Cookie & Tux. Thank you for helping us to help these amazing birds!
We’re already fostering 14 lucky pigeons at the new aviary in Alameda
Whimsy coming in for a landing
New fosters Batman & Mocha & Charlie Chocolate Thunderpants
Cookie gets a loving welcome
June 2016 Update!
Thank you artist Laura Johnston for creating this gorgeous mural for us!
December 21, 2015
by Elizabeth Comments Off on “PLEASE HELP…” An Inspiring Rescue Story
Have you ever noticed how many pigeons there are? We get so many requests for help! We can’t even keep up with meeting the needs of all the domestic birds let alone the wild ones too but we do our best to respond or, if we can’t respond ourselves, to empower those who contact us with coaching, information, referrals, encouragement…
Here’s an inspiring story about a kind person whose compassion and tenacity meant the difference between suffering or rescue, life and death, for a pigeon youngster. She didn’t just alert others and depend on them to do something. She stayed engaged and advocated for the vulnerable bird until he was safe. She made a life-saving difference.
Wednesday 11/18
I received this email from Lindsey.
Subject: PLEASE HELP INJURED JUVENILE PIGEON IN ASHBY BART
Hello,
On Monday I noticed a mother and her baby down in the BART* (*Bay Area Rapid Transit) tracks at the Ashby station, this is a pair I’ve been watching for weeks now. I immediately noticed the juvenile in distress with a broken wing. This bird couldn’t fly yet and now is injured I cried called bart police, talked to the man in the box in the station, called animal control. No one has done anything the bird is alive and well, preening and alert. BUT I have reason to believe that its very devoted sweet mother is now deceased presumably from flying down constantly to sit with her baby in between trains. I plan to bring food tonight if nothing is done and I wanted to try and get him out and take him home with me. I have raised (& released) many a wild animal back in Wisconsin but this is a new game. I’m assuming it’s illegal to just jump into the tracks and I don’t know what to do. I can not bear to watch this baby suffer or starve, I am obsessed. Please help! Specifically the bird is located on the side traveling into Oakland near the South side, you will see it bopping around if its still alive.
Thank you kindly,
I am at the office but call me if you have any questions.
Lindsey
Thursday 11/19
I referred Lindsey to Wildlife Emergency Services (1 866 WILD 911) and because we have gotten help from BART Directors in the past, encouraged her to contact them for help as well.
Friday 11/20
Lindsey succeeded in getting BART officials to remove the pigeon from the train tracks but they just set him down outside and he still needed to be rescued. I posted to our groups on Facebook at 8:53 AM and within less than one hour, the youngster was rescued and safe thanks to the compassion and swift response of Steph, one of our volunteers.
The young pigeon, off the tracks but injured and without a parent to feed him
11/20 Update Posted by Lindsey
BABY PIGEON UPDATE!
Finally, after 5 DAYS someone has listened to me! This little survivor made it 5 days in the tracks with a broken wing! I made countless phone calls to every wildlife rescue place imaginable, shed countless tears, sent emails, brought food & finally I found good people. Thank you kind BART man for promising to get baby off the tracks and consoling me & justifying my feelings! Thank you Elizabeth from Palomacy for being the only one who responded to me & thank you for sending an angel Steph to go scoop up baby and make sure it gets the care it needs.
All life is precious. I am filled with hope.
Finally- rescued and safe after a long hard week
Palomacy volunteer Steph comforts the rescued youngster
About this experience, Lindsey writes,
“Since moving to California three months ago I’ve noticed that pigeons are often times classified as pests, their lives are disregarded, and they are looked at with disgust. Putting aside my great love and appreciation for birds in general, I have made some observations: Pigeons are survivors, pigeons are gentle, curious, trusting, & beautiful creatures. I had the profound joy of watching a mother and her babies for weeks in the Ashby BART station. It was a gift everyday in the midst of my two hour commute, and for me a moment to appreciate life. Babies need to learn to fly and sometimes their first attempts are not successful. For one of the baby pigeons, a series of heartbreaking events landed him with a broken wing, stuck in the BART tracks, and motherless. The little survivor lasted five days in the tracks injured and alone. For five days I begged every organization I could find the number or email address to, for five days I researched the legal/safety ramifications of me jumping into the tracks to rescue this baby, for five days I dreaded my commute and cried for this baby, and for five days I had people tell me “It’s just a pigeon, there is nothing we can do.” Persistence bordering on obsession paid off. The right ear, Palomacy, heard my emotional pleas, good people took action, and this baby was given a chance at life. I’m so glad this creature will know what it is to find its own food, he will feel sunshine & fresh air, and hopefully with the help of the good people at WildCare he will experience what it is to fly. No creature ever deserves to suffer. All life is so very precious.”
Thank you, Lindsey, for all that you did to save this pigeon youngster! Thank you, Steph, for dropping everything to race to his rescue and thank you WildCare for providing the treatment and care this youngster needs!
UPDATE from WildCare
Monday 12/7
He is with three other pigeons and he makes improvements everyday. He can fly a bit and perch on lower limbs. He experienced some neurological trauma and sometimes he flops on his side and flaps, but his condition strengthens constantly.
Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions saves the lives of domestic (unreleasable) birds that are otherwise killed by helping San Francisco Bay Area shelters and finders. We provide guidance, referrals, education, long-term foster care, avian vet treatment and adoption services. Thanks to the support of our volunteers, we have saved the lives of more than 700 birds since we began in 2007 and helped countless others.
December 1, 2015
by Elizabeth Comments Off on The Palomacy Report: December 2015
There is so much happening in the world of pigeon and dove rescue (and so much that needs to happen) that I’m starting a new feature- a monthly report to help keep you informed about what’s happening in Palomacy.
Palomacy Wishes You & Yours a Very Happy December
Jacob, our featured pigeon for December, is doing great! Though 23 years old, he and his young mate Hester are currently enjoying their monthly honeymoon. Order your 2016 Palomacy Calendars here
Today is Giving Tuesday
For the first time, Palomacy is participating in this rapidly growing global celebration of charitable giving
Please click here to support us during this one day campaign!
A little help makes a big difference!
Luis
Luis arrived yesterday and is our newest foster bird. He’s a beautiful Ringneck Dove bachelor who cleverly self-rescued by volunteering to join a flock of rescued pigeons in an aviary in San Francisco. He’s named in honor of Luis, a very talented and hard-working builder of aviaries for Palomacy.
Beth & Winkie
Tomorrow I’ll be picking up Winky, an approximately six year old rescued pigeon whose person Beth, though she loves him very much, can no longer care for him. He’s been on our waiting list for a couple of months.
The Need
Even with our capacity for almost 100 pigeons and doves fostered in 21 homes and aviaries, we don’t have enough space for all who need our help. There’s a single unreleasable Rock Pigeon named BB who’s been on our waiting list for a couple of months. He needs to come in within the week. I’ve been contacted about a flock of eight rescued pigeons living in San Mateo, some adopted from us and some from Peninsula Humane Society, who now need to be rehomed. There are 20 Roller Pigeons at the SPCA Wildlife Center for Monterey County in need of adopters and the Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento has 15 pigeons in need of homes (mostly Rollers & Homers). Of course, many of the Bay Area shelters also have pigeons in need of homes (even if they don’t always have all of them up on their websites).
Help on the Horizon
We are constantly reaching out to develop new partners, fosters and adopters to help. Right now, we are working on several exciting new collaborations including partnering with the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary to help pigeons, creating a new foster aviary in Alameda and helping a new animal sanctuary to include pigeons amongst their rescues. Please stay tuned for more information to follow and please- help us to inspire more rescuers and adopters for pigeons and doves. The need is far greater than the available resources. (For more on this topic, please read What Is Palomacy?) We’re also thrilled to have been selected for the Rescue Group Program Assessment (RPGA) designed to help rescue groups run more effectively by surveying volunteers and providing steps to improve organizational effectiveness. The RPGA was created by the Organizational Science department of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in partnership with The Humane Society of the US.
Holiday Party Saturday 12/5
We’ll be joining our very special friends at the Mickaboo Holiday Party in Walnut Creek & you are invited! I really hope you can join us! (People only please, no birds.) Please RSVP!
Thank you for your compassion.
We are so glad to be here to help birds & the people who love them.
October 29, 2015
by Elizabeth Comments Off on Our No Place Like Home Party!
Wow! We had such a wonderful get together on Saturday for our No Place Like Home party! It was truly a gift to have so many of our amazing supporters together in one place! We work through a lot of tough situations together and, because we are spread across such a large territory, we rarely have the advantage of getting together, face to face, to celebrate this amazing work and the birds that we do it all for. And how lovely it was to be in such a luxurious setting as Leftovers Home Consignment! Plus we raised a much appreciated $3126 to help support our rescue efforts! The event was a giant love-fest and even though many of you couldn’t be there with us (and we missed you), you were very much there in our hearts.
Christiana infused the party with her magic
Max (with Dylan) & Noreen welcomed our guests
Barna served up his extra special microbrew: Pepe’s Weissbier
Clare & our food team nourished us with amazing vegan treats
Julia & our ambassadors made lots of new friends for the birds
We had fantastic treasures for sale
Tina Trachtenburg’s art pigeons raised money for living ones
Leftovers donated their space and gorgeous auction items too
Our host & the owner of Leftovers, Kelly, donated a penthouse weekend for auction too!
Our people- our volunteers, fosters, adopters and donors- are what bring Palomacy to life. Together we are doing something special and important. We are making a difference. Every day, birds that otherwise would have no where to turn, are helped thanks to you.
Shae, Gina & Doug
Cheryl & Molly
Rob, Julisa & Jill
Halina, Christiana & Robert
Coo Jackman
We received so much help from so many! I could never thank you all enough for your generosity, your energy, your talents and time and amazing support! Thank you!
Kelly Hensley & the Staff of Leftovers
Christiana Reed
Clare Malone Prichard & Bob Prichard
Josette Maury
Cheryl Dickinson
Barna Mink
Barbara Fleck
Aileen Paterson
Julia Gneckow
Max Bonstin & Noreen Bonstin
Leda Hosier
Steve & Santana Anderson
Margie Gear
Chris Okon
Jill McMurchy
Ashley Dietrich
Tina Trachtenburg
Steph Fries
Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery
Donna’s Tamales
Berkeley Cinnaholic
Pet Food Express
Creative Bird Toys
The Bird Boutique
Our guests & donors
And, in all the excitement of the night, we forgot to give you your special edition No Place Like Home button!
Please email us your mailing address so that we may send them to you.
We have special No Place Like Home buttons for you!
Thanks to a very generous donation from Virginia Donohue & Mark Klaiman of Pet Camp, Palomacy has a big, beautiful & safe Palomacy-approved aviary available for sale! (Note: A predator & rodent-proof bottom such as mesh-lined wood or cement pavers is required.)
Virginia Donohue & Mark Klaiman, founders & owners of Pet Camp
This hexagonal, powder-coated aviary is 8′ in diameter and stands nearly 8′ tall. It is in nearly new condition and we even have a volunteer team who will transport and assemble in the SF Bay Area!
It is suitable as a home for 4-8 pigeons, 10-20 doves or could house parrots, finches or canaries.
Aviaries like it retail for $3000 and we are selling it for $1700 (and all proceeds benefit the birds of Palomacy). Contact Elizabeth with questions and to purchase. But hurry- we only have one!
Learn more about the joys and how-tos of having an aviary here.
This information is provided to show more about aviaries like the one we have
These specifications are similar but may not be exact for the avairy we are offering
Santana proudly shows off the aviary that we have available (roof included but not shown)
Volunteers Steve & Santana will transport & assemble!
Dylan & all of us at Palomacy thank Virginia & Mark for their incredible generosity!
Contact Elizabeth with questions and to purchase. But hurry- we only have the one!
October 21, 2015
by Elizabeth Comments Off on Love Is Strong
I had the privilege of witnessing a truly heroic act yesterday. When my big dog Ruby and I entered my bird room on our way to go out the back door, Ruby happened to come between special needs King pigeon Freddie and her mate Freckles. Ruby’s very good, she doesn’t approach the birds, and she was stopped with Freddie between her and the back door, but she is still scary to the birds (some more than others). Freckles was safe. He was behind Ruby and had the whole length of the bird room behind him to retreat to but instead, he made an incredibly courageous choice to forgo his own security to rejoin his mate Freddie. He is a big, heavy King Pigeon and he launched up from the floor, sailed over Ruby (barely clearing her head) and came down in the “danger zone” by his mate Freddie’s side. It was an awesome moment to witness. It was an heroic act. Ruby and I backed up and went out the garage way instead so as to leave this devoted couple together undisturbed. As I left the bird room, I watched Freckles escort his hobbly mate back to their cage and they spent the whole morning snuggling. Freckles chose to risk his life to protect Freddie’s.Love is strong.
Freddie & Freckles snuggling
October 1, 2015
by Elizabeth Comments Off on How to Care for a Rescued Pet Pigeon (for Newbies)
If I had my way, there would be no pet pigeons, amazing as they are. They would all be wild and free. I don’t believe that birds should be domesticated, bred and used by people for any reason. But, because people do breed, use and lose unreleasable pigeons, there are a great many that are found lost, injured, starved or all of the above. I’m writing these guidelines on pigeon care for those birds and the compassionate people who help them.
Get Help from a Pigeon-Friendly Expert
Pigeons are easy to care for but my first bit of advice is to always connect with a pigeon-friendly expert to get help assessing the bird’s condition. If you have rescued a juvenile Rock Pigeon (wild rather than domestic), he needs to get to a pigeon-friendly wildlife rescue! Don’t keep that wild child and make him a captive pet nor think you’re well suited to prepare him for release. You run a very high risk of ruining that baby’s chance to live as a free and wild pigeon (and there are already too few homes for unreleasable pigeons). You can find help by contacting wildlife rescues, avian vets or bird rescues. Ask if they are “pigeon friendly.” Some will be, some won’t (Rock Pigeons and domestic pigeons are non-native and unprotected so many institutions kill them as “nuisance animals” rather than help them). Here’s a map of just a few of the pigeon-friendly rescues in the US. (There are more out there, we’re just starting to populate this map). Too often, despite good intentions, pigeons that we are trying to help, suffer and die because their needs, injuries or illness went unrecognized, untreated or mistreated. I highly recommend connecting with experienced rescuers and adopters in our Palomacy Help Group. It is the best and fastest way to get assistance. Post photos of the bird, your location and questions and you’ll get fast help. People often contact me saying, “I found a pigeon, she’s so tame and calm” and that tells me she is very likely weak, emaciated, injured or all of the above. Please- get the benefit of some expert guidance to help you help the pigeon!
Rescued pigeon youngster Whimsy had a respiratory infection and needed expert help
If you’ve just found the bird and don’t know where to start, see What to Do if a Pigeon Needs Help. If you can catch the pigeon, it pretty much needs help of some sort.
Domestic pigeons are at risk outside. This basic set up can save a pigeon’s life.
Pigeons as Pets: Indoors or Outside?
Pigeons do great indoors as family pets. They can also live outside in a predator & rodent-proof aviary but I would never make a single pigeon live outside alone. They are flock birds and to be outside alone is stressful and lonesome for a pigeon. A single pigeon living indoors adopts the people as flock members. Please note, if your pigeon is going to be outside (even temporarily), she must be in a predator-proof cage. Most birds cages are designed only to keep birds confined indoors and they are not predator-proof outside. (To be predator-proof, the cage must be sturdily built, have very narrow spacing between bars and a raccoon-proof latch.) Please see How to Choose a Cage for Pigeons or Doves for detailed and important considerations regarding putting a bird in a cage and see How to Create an Aviary for Pigeons or Doves for the same regarding housing birds outside. Also check out How to DIY make a Safe, Easy Pigeon or Dove Aviary.
A lost survivor of pigeon racing inspired the creation of this beautiful aviary.
Caring for a Rescued Pigeon as a Pet In Your Home
Many domestic pigeons do what I call “self-rescue”. They have been dependent on people and often, when lost, injured or starving and in trouble, they approach people for help. Once you’ve gotten some expert help to determine your rescued bird’s medical needs, here is an introduction to the basics of what you need to know.
This little Birmingham Roller was lucky to find a human to help him
This lost survivor of pigeon racing is begging to come in the house
Pigeons eat seeds and grains and you can buy pre-mixed blends called pigeon feed at feed stores (and you can see our feeding recommendations here) but, until you can get that, you can feed them wild bird seed or dove & quail mix which are usually readily available at pet supply stores.
Pigeons eat seeds and grains sold at feed stores as “pigeon feed”
If your rescued pigeon isn’t eating, he’s either too weak, sick or injured or is, like the youngster in this video, too young to self-feed. (If your pigeon makes any kind of peep or squeak, it’s a juvenile.) Please get expert assistance ASAP in either case.
The bigger the cage the better and length or width are more important than height (pigeons don’t climb like parrots). We recommend a minimum cage size of 42″ wide, 27″ deep, 30″ high for one or two (compatible) pigeons. The cage needs to be up to the task of protecting the pigeon from the predators that have access to the cage.If you don’t have cats or dogs in the home wanting to reach in through the bars, wide spacing like that of dog crates is fine for pigeons. If you do, you’ll need a cage with narrow bar-spacing (.5″ max).
A large dog crate makes a good pigeon cage indoors (not safe outside!)
To be pigeon-friendly, the bottom should be covered with something flat and easy to clean such as wood, linoleum, plastic or a yoga mat cut to size. (Pigeons should never have to stand on a wire cage bottom. It is uncomfortable and unhealthy for their feet!) You can buy (or make) paper bird cage liners for easy clean up. You put a whole stack in the cage bottom and then take up the top one every day, leaving a clean cage liner right there where you need it.
Rescued King Pigeons Minnie & Mighty in a double-flight cage with paper cage liners for easy clean up
There is a lot of misinformation about pigeons and disease. They actually pose almost no risk to humans and you’re more likely to contract a zoonotic disease from dogs or cats than you are from pigeons. Pigeon poop is easy to clean up and apple cider vinegar works great. If you want to have your pigeon out and about in the house without pooping on stuff, you can put pigeon pants on them. (They’d rather go naked but they adjust really quickly. Pigeons are extremely adaptable and very good sports.)
Shadow shows off her pirate pigeon pants
The cage should include some shelves to offer destinations to fly or hop to and hang out on. (Perches are less useful for pigeons- all you can do on a perch is stand or sit. Shelves offer more options including strutting, courting, lounging, napping, etc.)
This parrot cage has been modified with shelves to provide more floor space and be more pigeon-friendly
Include a nice big mirror and a basket (weighted so as not to tip) or nest box. Use heavy, ceramic flat bottom, straight-sided crocks for food and water (I get them at thrift stores).
Flat-bottom, straight-sided ceramic dishes are best. Get a double set so it’s easy to replace used dishes with clean ones.
A 12 x 12 x 12 chicken nest box sold at feed stores makes a great pigeon nest box
Pigeons really love mirrors. It’s like TV for them (and they are proven to self-recognize).
Provide a casserole dish or big plant saucer for a bath tub. Healthy pigeons are very fastidious about keeping their feathers clean. They love to bathe. I leave bath water out for my pigeons all the time so they can bathe whenever they feel like it. If your new pet pigeon hasn’t tried out his bath tub, he may not be feeling well and need some expert care. If your pigeon is healthy and hearty but still not bathing, you can inspire them to preen by misting the air above them (not directly at them). Being damp will trigger preening and should eventually lead to bathing.
Pigeons need a shallow bath tub. Casserole dishes work great.
Pigeons love to bathe. They splash a little but not too much.
Locate the cage in a well-lit area (they have poor vision in low light and even bright homes are dim compared to the outdoors). They’ll also need safe access to sunshine unfiltered by glass or avian-safe full spectrum lighting. Locate them where they can be near the family (for companionship, socializing and enrichment). Pigeons adapt quickly to living in human households- even with dogs and cats (as long as they are protected). Don’t worry about drafts- that’s a non-issue, the more fresh air, the better. Do study up though on true household hazards for pet birds such as using Teflon-coated pans, smoke, scented and aerosole products, open windows or doors, hot stoves, ceiling fans, etc. (See Household Hazards for Birds) 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!)
The biggest risk to a pet pigeon is getting outside and being killed by a predator before he can get back in to safety. Wild pigeons derive all their security from being part of a flock that stays alert watching out for predators and knows what to do (and has the education and physiology to do) what is needed when under attack. A pigeon alone is extremely vulnerable. A domestic pigeon outside alone is in imminent danger. It is unsafe to take a pet pigeon outside unprotected. They need to be in an aviary or in the house (or flying with a flock at the very least).
This stray King Pigeon was very lucky to be rescued before being killed by a hungry predator
Making Friends with a Rescued Pigeon
Pigeons are very intelligent, emotional and social. They are flock birds that hatch as twins and snuggle sweetly with their nest mate while being fed and cared for by both mom and dad until they fledge at about 5 weeks of age (or are “harvested” at 4 weeks if they were bred for meat as King Pigeons are). They want and need a special friend!
Baby pigeons spend their first 5 weeks snuggling together in their nest. These are 2 weeks old.
Once out of the nest, they are single for a brief couple of months and then court and marry a mate. Pigeons mate for life and are completely devoted to their mate and young. The thing pigeons care about most is their family and being home with their family. (That’s how pigeons are used to deliver messages or for “dove releases” or racing. They are taken away from home and then they fly their hearts out to try and get back. You can learn more about the cruel sport I call “kidnap racing” and see some rescue stories of racing pigeons here.) If a pigeon can’t get home to his family (or his home isn’t a safe place to return to), he needs a new family. Pigeons are very emotionally intelligent and though it takes time and patience, you can earn their trust and they can become very closely bonded to you.
Ragweed is a rescued Birmingham Roller and an amazing pet
Ragweed (wearing pants & harness) and his people volunteering at a Palomacy outreach event
It takes time and patience to win the trust of a pigeon. The more time you spend with him, the more he gets to see you and interact with you, the more your friendship will develop. If your rescued pigeon is really shy, sit down (standing can be menacing) and put your hands behind you (hands are threatening) and speak softly. You can coo to him or just sweet talk him. They are super smart and learn quickly. Pigeons need and want a BFF. If you have the time to be that for your pigeon, he can be very happy. If not, he’ll need a compatible companion. You can learn more about having a mated pair of pigeons here: Pigeon Family Values. (If you’re wondering about egg-laying, that article has info for you too.)
Of course- there’s lots, lots more to learn about pigeons and what amazing pets they can be. Keep reading and join us at our page on Facebook. Thank you for being a friend to pigeons. They are angels among us.
