A Pigeon For A Pet?!
a message from Kari Jo
Keep a pigeon... as a pet in the house??
Yes! My most favorite pigeon "Brooklyn" (a hand raised feral) lived in the house for almost 4 years before being moved to his outdoor Pigeon Palace! Even now, though he has all his pigeon friends to play with, Brook still follows me in the house whenever he can. Brook will sit quietly preening on my shoulder while I work at the computer or read a book, he snuggles next to me and the dogs on the sofa when we watch TV or a movie, he follows me into the shower, plays in the bed covers, and loves to play in the sink once the dishes are done. Brooklyn is a companion bird, in every sense of the phrase.
I worked as a behaviorist with parrots for 15 years, and I can tell you by far pigeons make the absolute BEST companion birds. The day "Brooklyn" moved in permanently (the day I decided to stop trying to make him fly away) was the day I said I had worked with my last parrot! (I still do outside parrot consulting behavior work, but no more rescue/rehab in my home)
Pigeons may not mimic human speech like parrots can, but there is no less a bond or sense of companionship.
Pigeons can be snuggly, cuddly, comedic friends - every bit as bonded and devoted to its human as any parrot. Like any companion animal, you get what you put into it. But a pigeon is much less demanding than any exotic bird. They do however require an ample cage kept clean, lots of out-of-cage play time, simple parakeet and cockatiel sized toys, a good diet (pigeon grit, quality seed/grain mix, occasional greens, fresh water, pellets are also an option), and a loving family.
They are loaded with personality, and the countless breeds of pigeons out there come in such an incredible variety of shape, size, color, and feather that I think there's a breed out there for just about anyone.
If you're considering a single pij (or pair) as a pet, don't be put off by the talk of vaccines and meds - any house pigeon that does not "fly with a flock", interact with other flying pigeons, or show, has really no need for any routine medical care or even vaccines after he's been brought current on everything and placed in your home. Just as dogs and cats get vaccines, so too do pigeons that interact with other pigeons (especially racing and homing pigeons). House pigeons who live indoors would have little chance of catching anything from unhealthy pigeons. (Same as an indoor cat having little chance of catching anything from unhealthy feral cats if he doesn't come into contact with them!)
I think Ancients and some other small bodied Tumbler breeds (about half the size of a regular pigeon) make excellent in-home companions. Their small size means a smaller cage, though since they can't c;imb like parrots, daily flight time is hugely important. Either in an aviary (outdoors or in) - or you can always get a pigeon diaper (yep! they make 'em!) and let you pigeon have run of the house under supervision.
All of the breeds I work with make excellent pets. Budapests are gregarious and fearless, quickly taking to walking around a home as if it were their own castle. Berliners are docile and gentle, and love showing off by "zittering" (shaking their neck)! Ancient Tumblers all have a calm disposition and naturally curious nature (compared to some more flighty or aloof breeds), and their unique feathering make them really beautiful to look at (shell crested, feather footed), and they "pose" on tippy toes when showing off! Classic Old Frills, larger than our tiny tumblers, make spectacular pets. Calm, cuddly, and very engaging. Westies, though generally quite calm, can be a bit on the aloof side, but will happily settle in for a long nap in your lap while being petted. And the Lahores? It's like having a lap dog! They're big birds, and they like you to know they're boss - but a hand-tame Lahore makes a spectacular pet (though due to their large size obviously require more ample living quarters).
There is a very cool world of fancy pigeons out there to discover, and remember, even untame adult pigeons will tame quickly and bond with you closely if given time, love, patience, and care. All of my adult resident pigeons came to me unfriendly and wild. But within a week or two of daily handling and love they were coming to me of their own accord - as dog-tame pets. Not just calm and accepting, but actively seeking interaction and attention. A truly remarkable thing!
I am so happy when one of my feathered kids goes to a pet home instead of a loft because I put a LOT into each baby. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. I am here and happy to help you every step of the way! From cage and food selection... to matching you with the perfect Pidgie Pet! Pet homes always take precedence over loft or breeding homes, so be sure and let me know if this your preference and you will have a higher spot on my waiting list!
Best,
Kari Jo
p.s.
Please remember that though my birds may be tame and loving towards me, they may take a little while to get to know you and adjust to their new home. Be patient! Be loving! And be persistent. I have tamed wild feral pigeons in 10 minutes, and had ultra tame babies take 2 months to get used to a new owner. It really depends on the bird, and it depends on you!
Yes! My most favorite pigeon "Brooklyn" (a hand raised feral) lived in the house for almost 4 years before being moved to his outdoor Pigeon Palace! Even now, though he has all his pigeon friends to play with, Brook still follows me in the house whenever he can. Brook will sit quietly preening on my shoulder while I work at the computer or read a book, he snuggles next to me and the dogs on the sofa when we watch TV or a movie, he follows me into the shower, plays in the bed covers, and loves to play in the sink once the dishes are done. Brooklyn is a companion bird, in every sense of the phrase.
I worked as a behaviorist with parrots for 15 years, and I can tell you by far pigeons make the absolute BEST companion birds. The day "Brooklyn" moved in permanently (the day I decided to stop trying to make him fly away) was the day I said I had worked with my last parrot! (I still do outside parrot consulting behavior work, but no more rescue/rehab in my home)
Pigeons may not mimic human speech like parrots can, but there is no less a bond or sense of companionship.
Pigeons can be snuggly, cuddly, comedic friends - every bit as bonded and devoted to its human as any parrot. Like any companion animal, you get what you put into it. But a pigeon is much less demanding than any exotic bird. They do however require an ample cage kept clean, lots of out-of-cage play time, simple parakeet and cockatiel sized toys, a good diet (pigeon grit, quality seed/grain mix, occasional greens, fresh water, pellets are also an option), and a loving family.
They are loaded with personality, and the countless breeds of pigeons out there come in such an incredible variety of shape, size, color, and feather that I think there's a breed out there for just about anyone.
If you're considering a single pij (or pair) as a pet, don't be put off by the talk of vaccines and meds - any house pigeon that does not "fly with a flock", interact with other flying pigeons, or show, has really no need for any routine medical care or even vaccines after he's been brought current on everything and placed in your home. Just as dogs and cats get vaccines, so too do pigeons that interact with other pigeons (especially racing and homing pigeons). House pigeons who live indoors would have little chance of catching anything from unhealthy pigeons. (Same as an indoor cat having little chance of catching anything from unhealthy feral cats if he doesn't come into contact with them!)
I think Ancients and some other small bodied Tumbler breeds (about half the size of a regular pigeon) make excellent in-home companions. Their small size means a smaller cage, though since they can't c;imb like parrots, daily flight time is hugely important. Either in an aviary (outdoors or in) - or you can always get a pigeon diaper (yep! they make 'em!) and let you pigeon have run of the house under supervision.
All of the breeds I work with make excellent pets. Budapests are gregarious and fearless, quickly taking to walking around a home as if it were their own castle. Berliners are docile and gentle, and love showing off by "zittering" (shaking their neck)! Ancient Tumblers all have a calm disposition and naturally curious nature (compared to some more flighty or aloof breeds), and their unique feathering make them really beautiful to look at (shell crested, feather footed), and they "pose" on tippy toes when showing off! Classic Old Frills, larger than our tiny tumblers, make spectacular pets. Calm, cuddly, and very engaging. Westies, though generally quite calm, can be a bit on the aloof side, but will happily settle in for a long nap in your lap while being petted. And the Lahores? It's like having a lap dog! They're big birds, and they like you to know they're boss - but a hand-tame Lahore makes a spectacular pet (though due to their large size obviously require more ample living quarters).
There is a very cool world of fancy pigeons out there to discover, and remember, even untame adult pigeons will tame quickly and bond with you closely if given time, love, patience, and care. All of my adult resident pigeons came to me unfriendly and wild. But within a week or two of daily handling and love they were coming to me of their own accord - as dog-tame pets. Not just calm and accepting, but actively seeking interaction and attention. A truly remarkable thing!
I am so happy when one of my feathered kids goes to a pet home instead of a loft because I put a LOT into each baby. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. I am here and happy to help you every step of the way! From cage and food selection... to matching you with the perfect Pidgie Pet! Pet homes always take precedence over loft or breeding homes, so be sure and let me know if this your preference and you will have a higher spot on my waiting list!
Best,
Kari Jo
p.s.
Please remember that though my birds may be tame and loving towards me, they may take a little while to get to know you and adjust to their new home. Be patient! Be loving! And be persistent. I have tamed wild feral pigeons in 10 minutes, and had ultra tame babies take 2 months to get used to a new owner. It really depends on the bird, and it depends on you!