Racing/Homing Pigeon

[Plocket]

We have had a homing pigeon in our garden for three days now, and although we have contacted the owners they won't come and get the bird unless we can catch it - fair enough. Unfortunately though, this is a canny bird and the suggestion of throwing a tea-towel over it hasn't worked. We've also tried setting up a basic trap, but have failed so far with this too. Can anyone suggest how we can catch this wiley bird?

[kita1]

You could try a large butterfly net.

Make sure the owners will not just wring its neck when they get it back!

[Plocket]

Apparently they are keen on this bird and want it back - they'd better not wring his neck!!

I like the big butterfly net idea, but I haven't got a big butterfly net :o(

Any more ideas anyone?

[jules77]

if they wanted it back that much they would come and catch it - they surely have their own box that the bird is used to going in, and tempted with some food it would probably oblige - I would buy some food and keep it!!

[divegirl]

Have to agree with jules....if they are keen to have it back, why won't they come and get it? If the bird is important to them surely they would be worried that your might inadvertantly harm the bird while trying to catch it!

Lisa x

[Plocket]

I get your point but they live quite a long way from us - and if they really want it back they WILL make an effort. I'm not knocking myself out trying to catch Percy, although it has become a bit of a challenge for me. I just can't understand why the daft bird hasn't flown home already as it's surely got it's strength back now!

[GypsyGSD]

I agree with kita 1 if a homing bird does not return it is no good as a racing bird and I have been told that they do dispose of them as kita mentioned but I have no evidence of this just rumour GypsyX

[Plocket]

Eeek! I can't keep it as a pet because I have a cat!!!!! I wonder why the owners want the bird back then if only to kill it?

[jules77]

We fed a couple of 'stray' racing pigeons for years, (we also called the one Percy, and the other Coco) and we had a cat. We have a good large bird house, and they used to sit inside under cover if the weather was bad, and the cat couldnt reach them. They were so tame, one particularly bad winter when they were sat on the neighbours bungalow roof we got a ladder out, picked them up and bought them in the house, we kept them in a couple of the large plastic bread delivery crates, with one on the top to stop them getting out, they stayed there for a few days until the snow had gone!

[spudqueen]

We had one in our garden for 2 days a couple of years ago. I tried contacting a local pigeon fancier as I couldn't get near enough to read the ring but they didn't get back to me. I eventually fed it some corn and it flew off.

[divegirl]

Looks like you've been adopted plocket!!! Percy is a cool name though .... lol

[WendyS]

The bird might just be very tired and need a good long rest. We have occasionally had such birds arrive in our garden, and they are happy to stay a couple of days as we always put out bird seed and fresh water for our wild birds. Then they suddenly just take off again and disappear. Be patient - you may find that this could happen imminently, and then he'll make his own way back home again.

[Plocket]

Not exactly an original name though Divegirl ;o)

Thanks for all your replies. Percy was still here this morning but there's no sign of him now - I keep hoping he will decide to head home. Hopefully the owners will have the courtesy to let me know if he does make it back!

[Plocket]

Just in case anyone wants to know, I've just had a phone call from Percy's owners - he's arrived home! He was still tired and hungry but is otherwise fine and they are delighted to get him back because he's won them quite a bit of money in previous races. I'm chuffed they rang to let me know!

[divegirl]

Excellent news! Well done you for caring for him.

Lisa x

[jules77]

ah bless, a nice happy ending for a change!