My Pigeon Belle..

Just thought I'd share some pics I took of Belle yesterday, outside. I just wheeled his whole cage out there for a good cleaning, but not before he got to make the major mess in it.

Belle was a feral pigeon that was injured and couldn't fly and could barely walk. I couldn't leave him in that parking lot to die...so I brought him home.

A pigeon forum told me I had rescued a young pigeon because he only made squeaking sounds. And couldn't tell the sex. Well, I thought I had a female, so I named her Belle...but it's very evident now that he's older...he's absolutely a Male. Still his name is Belle

After a few weeks, he decided that the cush indoor life was much more his style. We bonded, he tamed down a lot and when we went to release him, he refused to go...he just curled up in a ball and rolled back into my husbands hands when he tried to perch him up on a totem in our front yard! Funniest thing I'd seen!

Sooo...we have no guilty feelings of keeping him domesticated. He loves it!

Usually I bring Belle outside in a flight suit, but yesterday was soo pretty I thought he'd enjoy just hanging out in his cage outside.

First order of business...he showed me he wanted a bath by dunking his head in his water dish, so I got his favorite "tub" and filled it with water.

He does this funniest thing too, I tried to get a picture of it...he tries to lay in the water on his side and he stretches his opposite wing straight up in the air...like a sail! LOL! Then he flops on his other side and does the same thing. He's such a goofey bird.

I didn't know a pigeon would be soo much fun. He's so amazingly smart. He's terribly spoiled and loves it. He coo's all the time and he even plays with his toys I have hanging in there. He coos and struts and dances all the time. His cage set up is perfect for him, because he can hover fly to exercise himself without hitting anything.

When loose in the house (which is almost every day), he follows me around, hanging out on my shoulder or head while I do the dishes...on top of the fridge while I cook, he rides on the head rest in the car when I take him bye bye with me...which he's decided car rides are definitely his favorite mode of transportation.

Belle has rewarded me every day since I rescued him. I'm so glad I did, otherwise I'd have never known how truly amazing pigeons are and what wonderful pets they really do make.

Have a great day all,

Toni

hey there! i love belle! i remember when you posted about rescuing him, hes so cool! pigeons are great, they must be so soft. he looks like hes having a great time! he must be fun to have, how does he get along with the other fids?

ann said:

hey there! i love belle! i remember when you posted about rescuing him, hes so cool! pigeons are great, they must be so soft. he looks like hes having a great time! he must be fun to have, how does he get along with the other fids?

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Thanks Ann

Unfortunately he doesn't try to be friends with the others. He just wants to jump on them and attack.

However, it's probably NOT Belle's fault...entirely...that he acts this way, because my little bully bird Franklin..our conure...well he thinks he's tough stuff and would take on a lion without a second thought. He's definitely small but mighty!

So one day, we had everyone out, including Belle, they were all foraging and playing with toys and each was minding their own business...when Franklin decided he didn't like Belle anymore and ran up to him and attacked...Belle immediately took defence and before anyone was hurt we got them separated. PHEW!

After that, Belle has kept the defense stand with the others and will jump on top of any of them and start to peck. So we only let him out by himself now.

Franklin has learned to "beee niiice" and no longer tries to attack the others when out for play time...but Belle can't seem to let that chip fall..

It was pretty traumatizing for Belle to know that that little "hockey puck" of a bird got the best of him...he'll never forget it! :21:

Toni