Elmo and Georgie,
as well as Richard and I,
wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!
Elmo and Georgie amongst the presents:
Georgie under the tree
Elmo checks out the presents
Elmo amongst the presents
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- Feral Pigeon Project - Research blog to answer some of the mysteries about feral pigeons.
- Knitted Pigeons at Revati.co.uk - Buy a knitted pigeon from Revati
- Matilda's List - An international list and directory of pigeon friendly veterinarians and rehabbers.
- Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions - Organisation dedicated to the rescue of doves and pigeons in the San Francisco Bay area.
- Pandemonium Aviaries - Organisation dedicated to preventing the extinction of targeted avian species through conservation and education.
- Pigeon Aid UK - A site that provides advice for those who have picked up a sick, injured or baby pigeon and need guidance.
- Pigeon and Dove Rescue - A website aimed at providing help for anyone that has rescued a pigeon or dove by providing details of pigeon friendly rescue centres, vets and guidance on how to care for orphaned, sick or injured pigeons.
- Pigeon Angels - A forum dedicated to the support & care of all pigeons, feral or fancy, that find themselves in jeopardy.
- Pigeon Blog - A bona fide urban pigeon telling it how it is for the pigeons of London.
- Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS) - PiCAS specialises in the provision of non-lethal, holistic and sustainable bird control systems, which will result in a permanent reduction in bird numbers.
- Pigeon Control Resource Centre (PCRC) - An online resource for anyone with a pigeon-related problem. All information and advice provided on the website is geared towards completely solving pigeon control problems by the use of humane and non-lethal control methods.
- Pigeon Rescue Team (UK) - A group aiming to help and rescue pigeons in the area of London
- Pigeon Tales - Interesting blog following the lives of a family of feral pigeons living with the author.
- Pigeon-Talk - A global forum open to all pigeon lovers.
- Rescue Report - Wonderful blog about fostering and adopting pigeons (from MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue).
- Urban Wildlife Society - Their mission is to promote appreciation for all animals, particularly pigeons, that share the city and suburbs with humans. The website is filled with information and articles about inhumane pest control and offers advice on alternative measures.
- Wild Bird Fund - Website for the non-profit organization that provides assistance for wild birds, including feral pigeons, in New York City.
- Wing and a Prayer Bird Haven - Wild bird rescue centre and sanctuary in Norfolk, UK
Pigeon Rescue: people who can help
Links to various pigeon-friendly organisations, groups, rescue centres, and vets that can help with injured, ill or orphaned pigeons and doves.
The problem of chronic egg laying
Talking about the problem of continuous egg laying in birds (e.g. risks to health) and possible solutions.
Welfare of fancy pigeons
Discussing the genetic welfare problems of some fancy pigeon breeds.
How to tell if a pigeon is male or female
Explaining a bit about sexing pigeons.
The scoop on pigeon poop!
Are pigeon faeces dangerous to humans and can it be used as fertiliser?
Pet pigeons - what we mean
Explaining what we mean when we talk about keeping pigeons as pets. In brief: We mean keeping tame, imprinted or disabled pigeons that would not otherwise survive in the wild.
Feral pigeons and disease – do pigeons carry disease?
Do pigeons pose a threat to the public and your health. The quick answer is: No, they do not. Don’t believe me? Well, read the full article to find out.
Hand-rearing pigeons - right or wrong?
Controversial post on whether it is right to hand-rear a pigeon on its own and therefore potentially cause them to become imprinted on humans.
Invisible babies
Why we don’t normally see baby pigeons, their growth rate (photos included) and info on what to do if you find a baby pigeon.
Pigeon Rescue: what to do with injured, ill and orphaned pigeons
Information on what to do, as well as links to various sites about pigeon rescue.
Our Christmas tree
Every Christmas we have the same problem. We bring out the tree, the decorations, the lights and the hats and Elmo and Georgie protest – it takes days for Elmo to pluck up the courage to run past the Christmas tree, the twinkling lights annoy Georgie (cue: wing slaps and angry coos), and heavens forbid we dare put on a Santa hat to get into the Christmas spirit!! Elmo HATES them. It’s as if we turn into gremlins when we place them on our heads – Elmo runs a mile, shaking with fear. If we place the hat on the floor Elmo will rush over to kill it.
Last year I attempted to wear one while decorating the tree, jumping about to corny Christmas music and Elmo nearly had a heart attack. So now we can bring out some decorations (but only a few respectable ones) and the Christmas spirit, but we have to make sure we look and behave relatively normal, as if nothing has changed, just another normal day in the calendar year. I guess the neighbours will be glad that we’ve toned down with the amount of lights we put up.
However, I’m seriously thinking that with all this humbug attitude going on I won’t give Elmo and Georgie any special seed presents this Christmas. They certainly haven’t helped so why should I bother?! Maybe the feral flock will be more accepting? 
Here’s Elmo, our darling clown boy, attacking the Santa hat:
This blog is mainly about the adventures of our two pigeons, Elmo and Georgie, however we also like to spread the word about other pigeon people, especially charities and organisations that help pigeons around the world.
So, if you are able to be a bit generous this Christmas, why not help out a pigeon-friendly rescue centre/sanctuary or organisation such as the following:
- Folly Wildlife Rescue in Kent, UK: http://www.follywildliferescue.org.uk/
(Where our Dora pigeon lives.)
- Wing and a Prayer Bird Haven in Norfolk, UK: http://www.wingandaprayerhaven.org.uk/
(We visited them last year: Trip to Norfolk with pigeons)
- MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA: http://www.pigeonrescue.org/
- Wild Bird Fund in New York, USA: http://wildbirdfund.com/
- Iron Wolf Farm Sanctuary (private sanctuary) in USA: http://ironwolffarmsanctuary.com/
You can also find the above organisations on Facebook.
I received an early Christmas present from a dear friend that I’d like to share with you:
I’ve taken it to work so that everyone can enjoy seeing such beautiful birds.
Yesterday morning there was a flurry of snow outside, which in my eyes means that winter is officially upon us. I have been trying to ignore the other signs that have been thrust upon us (drop in temperature, shorter days, etc.), however, yesterday the white landscape was a visual signal that it is now time to snuggle down.
So snuggle down I did. With my pigeons, of course. There’s nothing better than wrapping up and warming yourself with a toasty pigeon on your lap. Georgie is particularly good at it – in fact, she insists on being the first to warm me when I return home from work. If my hands are cold I simply place them under Georgie for a quick warming. 
And once I’m all wrapped up and toasty there’s nothing else to do except knit something. Often Georgie will try to take the needles from me – sometimes she succeeds and shakes it about. Like so:
Georgie on my lap
Georgie girl
Relaxed Elmo
Elmo in his nest
Some might say that now is the time to be saving up your pennies and thinking about that very special occasion that is creeping up.
Here are some pigeon presents I found on Etsy you may want to buy a pigeon-loving family member or friend, or ask someone to get for you for, say, Christmas:
Artwork:
The Rain Dancer – Fine art print by VyalaArts
I love New York Pigeon fine art print by DarlingRomea
“If the Facts don’t fit…” pigeon print by mightypigeon
Crown Victoria pigeon photograph by jessicaelysephotos
Jewellery:
Hand drawn Pendant illustration of pigeons by mightypigeon
Pigeon Art Pendant by backbonestudio2
Dove Locket Necklace by saylorrose
Clothing:
Keep Calm and Pigeon On T-Shirt by keepcalmstore
Pigeon T-Shirt with Dots by smallgunns
Pigeon hat inspired by Mo Willems best selling children’s books by georgiabeckman
Other:
Pigeon Beads by TheCraftyBead
Pigeon cushion cover by Mirthquake
