You will move your hand towards your pigeon’s side. The pigeon should be facing the outer edge of your hand. The pigeon’s tail feather should be facing your thumb.
The pigeon’s legs should gently rest between your fingers. Don’t hold the legs or the pigeon too tightly. Ideally, your pigeon will be in its cage when you try to pick it up.
Don’t hold the wings down tightly. The wings should rest flatly on the pigeon’s back.
You can cup the bird with your other hand to provide even more security. Move the pigeon slowly to avoid scaring it.
Spend as much time around your pigeon as you can. Try to gently speak with your pigeon throughout the day. Always act calmly when near your pigeon.
Don’t try to pick your pigeon up in a noisy environment. Make sure there aren’t other pets trying to investigate the pigeon. Try not to have other people around when you are interacting with your pigeon.
If your pigeon becomes uneasy, stop for a while and let it relax. A nervous pigeon may flap its wings quickly and try to escape. Birds that are scared will often hold their feathers tight against their body. Very frightened birds will hiss at you and try to bite, spreading their wings out while doing so.
Get a container ready to hold the bird once you capture it. If possible, put the bird in your container without using your hands to avoid further injury. Throwing a blanket over a bird can help contain them while you capture it. Leaving food in the container or enclosed room can help lure a bird in. If you must, an injured and non-flying bird can usually be captured with just your hands.
Keep the enclosure clean and dry. A bird cage is ideal to use. You can use something simple such as a cardboard box. However, you may want to use a mesh covering for the top of it to allow light and air into the box.
Pigeons can eat grains, greens, and seeds. A pigeon can also enjoy most fruits. Do not offer your pigeon avocado, as they are thought to be toxic to pigeons. Make sure you offer clean water. You can put the water in a simple bowl for them to drink from.
A. U. stands for the American Racing Pigeon Union IF indicates the International Federation C. U. stands for the Canadian Racing Pigeon Union Other markings may indicate individual owners or private clubs.
