Found a young dove tonight

[thecafeguy]

Found a black and white dove in the garden, at first i thought it was just visiting and having a poke in the grass here and there, then it flew onto the shed roof, then the fence then back onto the lawn, seemed ok and very tame, it has a red plastic leg number on it and its taken a liking to my newly built wooden gazebo, it perched on one of the exposed roof truses thats against the wall and looked uncomfortable so i put an old kitchen door across two truses so it had something to sit on and it did, i then popped a cardboard box unpside down and cut a door in it and off it toddled inside, it looks ok now and pretty carm, it lets me near it but edges away as im about a cm near it, i noticed a couple spots of what appears to be blood on its tail feather tips but nothing towards the body, i had a good look although i couldnt actualy lift feathers to inspect, at the moment im going to leave it up in the roof as it seems happy, if theres anyone that could suggest what im to do in the morning if its still there it would be appreciated.

Thanks

[werdnal]

If it has a ring on its leg, there may be a number on it? If you can get close enough, make a note of the number. It sounds like it could be a tame racing pigeon, possibly out on a training flight or first race, and could have been chased/attacked by a bird of prey (sparrow hawk most likely) and become a little disorientated and lost.

If it is still there in the morning, make sure it has access to water and a little food if possible - normal wild bird seed is fine.

Regarding the number on the ring, this will identify the owner. If is has a number you must try to catch the bord before you attempt to report it. If you cannot corner it to pick it up, use a box trap - ie an upside down box, propped up with a stick or similar. Tie a long string onto the stick and scatter some food under the upturned box. Retreat to a distance, keeping hold of the other end of the string, and when the bird ventures under the box to eat, pull out stick with the sting, and the box drops over the bird. Helps if you can then open the other top end of the box, to pick up the bird without it escaping.

You can now report the bird here:

Report a Lost Stray Racing Homing Pigeon

and/or here:

Pigeonbasics.com - Lost Birds

If you carefully fan the bird's wings, you might find it had been stamped with the owner's contact details under the wing feathers, in which case you can ring them direct.

You will probably find that after a night's rest, it may move on of its own accord. We keep our own pigeons, purely as pets, but we occasionally get the odd lost, exhausted or injured stray coming into our shed. We feed and water them for the night and let them out the next morning, and the usually go on their way. Their homing instinct is very strong, so don't be surprised if you get up tomorrow to find he's gone!

Lovely to hear you have taken the time to make him comfortable for the night though!

[werdnal]

PS Just out of interest, whereabouts are you? Just found out that 1700 pigeons were "liberated" (ie set off for race) at Kingsdown in Devon this morning 9.30am. Birds race over very long distances, so these could be heading in all directions, but there was a race today so possibly you have a lost bird from that. Let us know if he is still around tomorrow.

[werdnal]

Was it still there this morning?

[thecafeguy]

Thanks for the help guys, I've only just read your replies, the bird was gone this morning but came back this afternoon, so noted it's number and found out the previous owner was in Barnsley, he sold it to a local guy around here who he passed on my number to so just waiting for him to call me back, I had no idea there were such websites and thought I'd just try, so it's not a dove, how stupid do I feel lol, il keep you updated, thanks again.

[thecafeguy]

I'm in Gainsborough lincs.

[~T~]

I had the same thing happen in spring with a lost fancy/racer. I read up on it and it seems these trace lost birds web facilities are a double edged sword. Apparently a lot of the time the owners will actually cull these birds as they deem them no use as they did not return home. In the end I phoned the SSPCA who assured me if the bird was healthy they would rehome it.

[werdnal]

That does happen unfortunately, which is why we tend to do the feed, water, shelter for the night route, and then let them go on their way. To be honest, if the bird eventually turned up at home a day or so late, he'd likely have its neck twisted anyway, as some owners won't keep them if they don't perform. If it is a young bird, or only recently moved to a new loft, it would more than likely be given a second chance though, especially as some of these birds can change hands for a lot of money if they are from proven stock. Especially if signs of an injury as the OP mentioned, would suggest it might have been chased and become disorientated, or possibly been let out to early and not yet "homed" to its new loft. They tend to head for any large roof if they get lost, hence the reason you see so many pigeons in towns and on farm buildings.

We even had one here once who had a French ring number - obviously didn't bother to contact her owner as don't think he'd have made the trip! She lived with us for years until she finally dropped of her perch one day!

To be honest, I know it seems cruel if this is the end result, and I am not condoning it, but these birds belong to someone, and the owner has a right to know if they are found.

[thecafeguy]

Some interesting stories guys, well the owner who actualy lived a mile away in the same town came and collected it last night, he checked her over and she did have a mite on her and there was a couple of very small blood spots on the tail tips but other than that we couldnt see any damage at all anywhere else, i asked him what happened and he told me he accidently knocked a large length of wood over that was propped up while tending them and it startled them, about 8 birds flew off and around the house but 3 never came back, now theres just 2 missing, i hope he didnt ring its neck cos i would of kept it.

So a happy ending, thanks to the internet this bird found its home, thanks for the advice and tips guys, you know i always thought it was a strange hobby but since i found this bird ive realised it can be very rewarding, the guy told me this particular bird can do backflips and stuff, i was amazed at some of the stuff and i can see now why its such a popular hobby.

All the best.

[Gill Catton]

I think they're beautiful animals, much underrated by us humans I hope to have some one day.