06/14/2023
How to Care for Found Pigeons
What to do if you find a pigeon?
1. First step should be to try to capture and contain the bird. This can be very easy with exhausted, hurt, or sick pigeons, or it can be very difficult if the bird is healthy and active. Most owners want their birds back, but there is little anyone can do until the bird is caught. Please be understanding of this. Unfortunately there isn't any special pigeon whispering secrets we have that you don't, and the finder is usually in the best position to trap the bird assuming they found it on their property or where they work. We pigeon fanciers will help as much as we can, if we can. When attempting to catch the bird, don't be scared – pigeons don't bite; they can't hurt you and won't get you sick (just wash your hands after). The best time to catch them is at night if you are able to reach where they are sleeping. They can't see in the dark so it's easy to quickly sn**ch them up. Alternatively, if you have the time, you can try to trap them during the day. I've had success with the old “box and stick” trap. Prop up an upside-down opened box with a stick, food under it, long string attached to the stick, wait from afar and pull the string to drop the box on the bird when it goes for the food. It sounds silly and very Wile E. Coyote, but it works!
2. Water. More important than food and should be offered immediately. Please do not try to force the bird to drink as it can easily aspirate. Provide a small container with at least an inch of water. If it seems reluctant to drink, you can try tapping your finger in the water to make a little splash or drip water from above into the bowl to help the bird realize it has water in it.
3. Food. Any wild bird seed, chicken feed, parakeet food, etc. will work wonderfully. If you don't have any of that on hand, you can try thawed frozen corn or drained canned corn, un-popped popcorn, oats, rice (uncooked rice does not hurt birds), or peas.
4. Take note of all leg band information and contact us or another pigeon organization. Most leg bands on pigeons can be traced back to the owner. Any pigeon club/org or knowledgable pigeon fancier can help you with this. But you can also do it yourself easily! Here's how:
What do the numbers and letters on a pigeon band mean?
Example: AU 2023 TRC 1234
1.) AU – This is an abbreviation for the national organization the club is affiliated with. In this example it is the American Racing Pigeon Union.
2.) 2023 – This is the year the bird was hatched.
3.) TRC – This is the club code. Here it is our band, Tarheel Racing Pigeon Club. Every club has their own unique code.
4.) 1234 – The bird's identifying number.
*Individuals may also order custom bands with their name and phone number on it in place of the club code. These are super convenient to track!
All of this information together creates the bird's equivalent of a social security number. There is only one band in the world (unless counterfeited) with AU 2023 TRC 1234 printed on it. The AU and IF post band lists each year on their websites, which you can look through to find the club code and their contact info. Otherwise, you can always contact the national organization directly.
AU (American Racing Pigeon Union) – https://www.pigeon.org
IF (International Federation of Homing Pigeon Fanciers) – https://www.ifpigeon
NPA (National Pigeon Association) – https://www.npausa
IPB (Independent Pigeon Breeders) – Sold by Foy's Pigeon Supply. https://foyspetsupplies.com/
NBRC (National Birmingham Roller Club) - www.nbrconline.com
FTS (Flying Tippler Society of the US) - http://ftsofusa.tipplers.com/
ADA (American Dove Association) - ADA secretary Denny Stapp at [email protected]
CU or CRPU (Canadian Racing Pigeon Union) - http://www.crpu.ca/
CPFA (Canadian Pigeon Fanciers Association) - https://www.pigeonfanciers.ca/
FCQ (Fédération Colombophile du Québec) - http://cyberquebec.ca/pigeon
FS (Fancier's Specialty, an independent vendor) – Contact on Facebook
There are situations where other bands are used that cannot be traced. If the owner can't be contacted, we can still try to help you find a new home for the bird or give you information if you wish to keep it! Contact us at Tarheel Racing Pigeon Club on Facebook or email Becky at [email protected] if you have any questions! :)
