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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.
HAPPY PIGEON APPRECIATION DAY!!!
Why celebrate pigeons? Because they are amazing birds with lots of character and charm. Here’s why we think they are simply wonderful:
Even injured pigeons ask for love from humans:
Baby pigeons and doves are ADORABLE:
Tame pigeons are excited when you find them:
Pigeons have amazing voices:
Pigeons are funny:
For those who doubt the awesomeness of pigeons here’s some interesting facts for you: 17 ways that pigeons are cooler than humans by Megan McCormick
And some funny photos: 23 pictures that prove pigeons are actually the best by Tanner Ringerud
This website puts it nicely too: 21 reasons you should appreciate pigeons by Stephen Messenger
So, after reading all that, do you agree with me? Pigeons are amazing!
This Friday, the 13th of June, is Pigeon Appreciation Day and people around the world will be spreading the word and celebrating all that is wonderful about pigeons! Join us!!
HAPPY PIGEON APPRECIATION DAY!!
The purpose of Pigeon Appreciation Day is to spread the word that pigeons are wonderful birds that don’t deserve the dislike and hatred they often receive.
Pigeons are amazing. I could list down all the amazing things they can do and have done - such as saving peoples lives in WWI and WWII. Thirty-two pigeons received the PDSA Dickin Medal for their life-saving action in conflict! - but I believe the list would go on and on since there are so many wonderful things about pigeons.
Don’t believe me? Well have a look at the videos of our two disabled pigeons, Elmo and Georgie, and see how lovely pigeons are: www.youtube.com/PigeonsAsPets
So please don’t dismiss the humble feral pigeon. They are intelligent, caring, and loyal birds. They are also full of character – as anyone who has had close contact with a tame pigeon will testify!
There are many, many people around the world who, through rescuing an injured or orphaned pigeon, now have a wonderful companion living by their side. We, at Pigeons as Pets, have personally received emails from many of these people telling us their story and sharing photos and videos of their pet pigeons. We feel privaleged to see into their world.
I believe that by celebrating pigeons on this day every year for years to come we all will help dispel the myth that pigeons are dirty and diseased. Humans once loved pigeons – they were used for food and as messangers, and their faeces were highly prized as fertiliser – and I think we will learn to love pigeons once again! (But hopefully not to use them for food anymore.)
A good way to show your appreciation is to support a pigeon-friendly charity, sanctuary or organisation. Here are a some suggestions:
- Folly Wildlife Rescue in Kent, UK
- Wing and a Prayer Bird Haven in Norfolk, UK
- MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA
- Wild Bird Fund in New York, USA
- Pandemonium Aviaries in Los Altos, California, USA
Last year there were many posts about Pigeon Appreciation Day, so I think we need to keep up with the good publicity and promote pigeons!!
- How to celebrate National Pigeon Appreciation Day at Time Out London blog
- Happy Pigeon Day by Ragpets
- National Pigeon Appreciation Day at Who’s Jack
- National Pigeon Day Celebrations by Brian Pigeon
- Pulp Fiction Pigeon Tribute at The Pigeon Movie Database
Our previous years posts: www.pigeonsaspets.co.uk/category/pigeon-appreciation-day
Finally, Elmo and Georgie both want to thank you for all the suppport and love!! It is so nice to hear from you, especially when you share photos and videos of your wonderful pigeons!
Four years ago today my husband and I adopted a very special little pigeon. Little did we realise the impact this pigeon would have on our lives. We had no idea and no warning, so when the little pigeon showed us how special he was, we weren’t prepared for how swiftly he’d become an integral part of our family. … I am, of course, talking about our darling Elmo. He came to us desperately needing a new home – a home living with people, not in an aviary with pigeons. Elmo has special requirements due to his less than pigeon-like upbringing. He requires a person to bond with, to love.
Four years ago Elmo was 8 years old, which obviously means that this year Elmo is 12!!! We have made today, the date we adopted him, his hatchday. So please, everyone who knows and loves Elmo, please wish him a very happy hatchday!
Happy Hatchday, darling Elmo!!!! xxxx
For those of you who have pigeons who are in their 20′s I know 12 years of age is still considered young. Sometimes Elmo looks like an old man to me, other times he looks like a baby. I cannot imagine all the things he’s seen in his 12 years. With us, Elmo has a sheltered life and is loved and is free to give his love without any restrictions. And boy, does he give his love!
Every day we are reminded of the love a pigeon is capable of. People may scoff at the idea of a pigeon in love, but when you observe them you can clearly see how deeply pigeons can feel. I don’t subscribe to the thought that animals only act out of instinct. I dare you to watch our videos of Elmo (and Georgie) and not be amazed: Pigeons as Pets YouTube channel
But I digress – today is about celebrating Elmo!
Thinking of what would be the best way to spoil Elmo today, I bought him his favourite treats: pine nuts and sunflower hearts. The only other present I know Elmo would love is lots of attention and love, which he gets every day anyway, so we’ll have to try harder today to give him extra!
Hatchday celebrations with little glasses filled with seed. The rest are in a jar for Elmo to raid when he wants:
Elmo doesn’t look impressed with his party hat:
Georgie definitely doesn’t appreciate her clown hat:
Our darling pigeon-pie is FIVE years old!!!
HAPPY HATCHDAY, GEORGIE!!!!
I cannot believe another year has gone by. I feel very lucky to have such a gorgeous, loving pigeon in my home. Every day with Georgie brings little joys and surprises.
For Georgie girl’s special day we bought her a big jar of linseeds – a seed that she LOVES!
Elmo dressed for the occasion with a smart bowtie (which he hated so I had to take it off):
And the birthday girl wore a pretty little heart necklace:
When Elmo saw Georgie tucking into her present he became jealous and jumped over to have his share!
I was very conscious of the fact that Elmo could peck Georgie so had to keep them seperate as best as I could with one hand. After a while Georgie realised that Elmo was stealing her present and she attempted to slap him:
Today is National Pigeon Day!!
(or the proposed day in the US. It’s not official yet. It should be International Pigeon Day really!)
However, technicalities aside, today is a day to remember those pigeons that selflessly served us humans, especially in WWI. Whilst every day should be a day to love, honour, respect and celebrate all pigeons around the world, today is the ‘official’ pigeon loving day.
Here in our humble abode we decided to give the visiting feral pigeon flock some extra treats to eat, which they happily gobbled up.
Even though I don’t think it’s possible since they get so many already, Elmo and Georgie got extra cuddles and kisses. We feel very lucky to have two such lovely pigeons living with us and wanted to let them know how much we love them. … I feel my crazy pigeon person side shining through for all to see now!! I feel a touch embarressed.
Here’s our little pigeon party:

Elmo didn't like the look of the balloons so he flapped and destroyed the nicely set table. Georgie doesn't look too impressed with him.
Don’t worry, we blew the candles out before Elmo panicked. We weren’t going to take any chances with fire and feathers!
We let Elmo and Georgie have a fairy cake each but Elmo liked the brioche more. George on the other hand LOVED the fairy cake and went bananas over it!
I hope everyone else had a lovely day with their pigeons! I’d love to hear from you what you did.
For more info on National Pigeon Day please go to: National Pigeon Day blog