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Pigeon Behavior
Name: Matt H.
Status: student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001
Question:
Two days ago my family had a yard sale. Early that
morning, a pigeon landed on our awning. The bird then began to perch on
my dad's hat. The bird stayed the whole day, following my father and I
wherever we went. When he went inside, the bird would wait by the front
door. When we were sitting around, waiting for customers, the bird would
land on the ground and sort of nibble between our toes (or between
outstretched fingers). The bird stayed all day. Finally, after we
packed everything up, it disappeared for a while. Later, the bird came
back! This time, it followed us into the garage and perched atop the
hood of our van. My dad turned on the windshield wipers, backed out,
sped up, etc. but the pigeon wouldn't leave. My dad finally had to shoo
it off with his hands. As we drove off, the bird just stood in the
middle of the street.
We thought that the pigeon was gone, but today it came back! Earlier,
it was perched on our front door, looking into the house through a
window. Whenever we go outside, it starts following us again. We have
not fed the bird, so we do not know why it is hanging around. Could you
please tell us why it is not leaving?
Replies:
I strongly suspect that this is a lost, confused homing pigeon that thinks
your house is its home. I am sure there are "homing pigeon" clubs. Try
contacting them to see if anyone is missing a pigeon.
Vince Calder
Does the bird have a leg band? This is probably someone's tame bird that has
not found its way home. I am not sure why it would be so attracted to you,
but see if you can find a band; if it is banded read the numbers and then
call around to local Audubon chapters, nature centers, or even check the
phone book to see if there are any racing or homing pigeon groups in your
area that could trace the band number.
J. Elliott
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Update: June 2012
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