To have befriended this bird?

[Tangled59]

I live right in the middle of a market town just off the main square and have a huge rooftop terrace.

I noticed this beautiful pigeon the other day, dont know if the photo does it justice but its a beautiful cream colour. It also has "wristbands" on its feet.

This morning I fed it some bread and it ate out of my hand! It appears to enjoy sauntering around my terrace.

AIBU to have it as a semi feral pet? What can i put out for it (im assuming bread isnt great)? Or is that irresponsible?

I really like your terrace Tangled59 but omg do you ever get vertigo?

You look really high up!

*Its pigeons doing exactly what they do instinctively
*
As is dog fighting, cock fighting, badger baiting, fox hunting.

I believe it can be cruel, and that many fanciers care more about winning than the birds' well-being.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21938429

@TheSassyAssassin
Thank you! Thats my lunch reading sorted 😁

Think this pigeon might already have a home. Could be someone's racing pigeon.

Absolutely fantastic thanks Sassy! How about you? Are you still in touch with DGazzie's owner? And how's everyone including SassyCat?

@TimeIhadaNameChange
Thank you I called the association which weirdly enough is in this region! The woman said there have been a few races on and that because rhe weather is a bit heavy and windy lately theres a good chance Nougat is slightly disoriented. She gave me the number of a local monsieur who keeps pigeons and who would be able to collect her (him?) and check the number and reunite owner and bird. I left a message on his answer phone.

She ate tentatively out of my fingertips so i dont think i can get close enough for long enough yo see a number myself. Shes disappeared now but she'll probably be back, now I think about it I remember seeing a fairly brazen and pretty pigeon gazing down at me from the roof a couple of days ago, I think it was her so she's obviously on holiday here for awhile yet!

@Tangled59 you are very welcome and happy reading!

Not had an update from DGazzie's owner for a while PSB but we're still on each other's WhatsApp

Not bad this end - tired owing to DDs hayfever which is through the roof at the mo! Sassycat got beaten up the other day (she's tiny and it's was the first time she has got into a fight) so she's extra clingy at the mo... bedtime is fun with DD and Sassycat both vying for space in mine! Good to hear all ok with you!

Can't believe it's a year now since the adventures of Gazzie Nice to have another pigeon thread to follow!

Yabu. Horrible sky rats.

The plot thickens.....

Nougat is Belgian!

Yabu. Horrible sky rats oh bore off!

That's brilliant!

The one we caught was hanging around my workplace. I sat in the nearest office with a carry case and piece of string on the door ready to shut it when he went it. I think I was using chicken feed to entice him. Then, DP realised what I was attempting to do and turned up with sweetcorn. 5 mins later he had him!

My cat wasn't thrilled with our new visitor - we kept him in a dog-cage in a polytunnel, so she knew he was there but couldn't get close.

Hope your local monsieur gets in touch soon!

Sky rats they are not.
Pigeons were actively encouraged to be kept during the wars, they were used as messengers, food (eggs and meat). After the war we had little use so took down their homes and released them. We bred and kept them to be human dependent. So you could say they are the ancestors of fallen war hero’s!
There’s fascinating stories of some getting shot during ww1 and still makingit back with their message. I think one even got a medal for her efforts.

France is big on pigeon racing, most towns have a group of fanciers, I'm sure they will give you plenty of help, with your pretty new friend.

I am beginning to wonder if you are secretly a Disney princess.....?

Maybe Nougat should be renamed Praline in honour of his/her revealed Belgian heritage?

Or Truffle!

@StormTreader I like it! Praline she is. I've set up a corner with a bowl of water where I've been feeding her the non fruit parts of museli (she seemingly cant be fucked with sweetcorn).

She now waits outside the window for me to come on a fag break.

The Belgians are annoying me, none of their associations are picking up their phone (the main one only opens in the morning). Hopefully she will stick around although a storm is brewing now...

I might be becoming overly invested in this thread already...!

Your cat is beautiful too - that tail! So floofy!

@CrazyDaisy2018
😂
Thanks!!!

The french association said there was one digit too few on her number tag for her to be a French bird so she's probably Belgian. Will call tomorrow morning. In the meantime, even though it's lame Ive weighed down a box with a rock so maybe she will take shelter from the storm here!

Ahh, Praline is lovely. If I had a lovely pigeon I'd call her Pauline.

Your apartment looks amazing.

I love that cat!

Aww I love this thread!

I have a wood pigeon that comes into my garden every single day, without fail, to eat the food I put down for the garden birds. I call him Pidgey.

No it’s not cruel. It’s pigeons doing exactly what they do instinctively. Most pigeon fanciers treat their birds like members of the family.

I did read somewhere that birds that get lost and don’t fly home are pretty useless for racing. Presumably the point of which is to get back home first?

Therefore there’s no point keeping those that are crap at their “job” and they are dispatched.

I’m sure there might be some fuzzy owners out there who aren’t bothered about winning, but how do you know?

Guys.....I think my heart just melted a little bit. Made her a room to shelter from the storm

"Horrible sky rats"

Humans are the filfthiest, most destructive, and dangerous vermin on this planet. And there are over 7 billion of them. Frightening, isn't it?