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You're absolutely right, and that's one of my worries really. I don't want him to lose his survival instincts, as they're served him well over the past couple of years. I want to make sure he's got somewhere safe and dry to come back to, but also let him do his own thing if you know what I mean. I'll certainly make sure it's all cat proof though.

You're absolutely right, and that's one of my worries really. I don't want him to lose his survival instincts, as they're served him well over the past couple of years. I want to make sure he's got somewhere safe and dry to come back to, but also let him do his own thing if you know what I mean. I'll certainly make sure it's all cat proof though.

You're absolutely right, and that's one of my worries really. I don't want him to lose his survival instincts, as they're served him well over the past couple of years. I want to make sure he's got somewhere safe and dry to come back to, but also let him do his own thing if you know what I mean. I'll certainly make sure it's all cat proof though.

Many thanks, Phil. I have a mental image of what I'm looking for, so I'll know it if I see it. Should I try to install some sort of perches, or would some blocks be better for him to rest on? Also (sorry for all the questions), must I try to keep him in his new home for a few days so that he knows it's his, and is more likely to come back to it? Cheers

:) Your cunning plan! Damn, I forgot about that

Morning! I've just been out to the garage, and my little friend appears to be doing ok. He's been having a short walk and was by the door! I think he's eaten, and I have a deep plastic bowl with water in. He's had some of that too. I've held him for a few minutes. He's now perched on top of the box - still puffed up and looking a bit sleepy. I'm going out to buy him a house later today - something he can call home. Fingers crossed I can find something suitable. I'm very grateful of your offer to report him for me. If this isn't too much trouble for you, would you be able to do that for me? I think I'd feel better knowing the owner is aware of him being well. That's very good of you.

I'm happy to get but this for 'my' pigeon!! I'll get it if I'm 'allowed' to keep him

Thanks, Phil. At the end of they day, I now consider that this is a free bird who has found his way to my area. If I hadn't fed and talked to him, he'd have gone elsewhere. I don't have a coop or hutch, but he comes back to my garden almost daily. I feel so close to this bird, it's weird.

I've always referred to 'it' as a 'he', as he's so pretty! I'm going to contact the owner, as referred to above. But am a bit scared, as I want to 'keep' him here. I live in the South West of England. At the end of the day though, I have to speak to the owner and I guess it's up to them.

Thanks. I'll report that the bird is ok and a survivor

No - it's sometimes like this, but on other occasions, it's totally smooth all over - live velvet!

No - it's sometimes like this, but on other occasions, it's totally smooth all over - live velvet!

By the way, here's a pic of the lovely bird. Was taken either last summer or the summer before (is currently looking a bit plumper):

Hi Phil. Hasn't really been doing much either way to be honest. A sort of fairly firm middle and more watery around the outside. I realise that this is a stupid description!

It likes peanuts - the sort you buy for birds, but likes them whole - won't touch them if I break them up. But the main food it a mix of corn/maize type stuff. The big bag is in the garage with the bird at the moment. As it's so rough out there, I won't venture out to check what else is in there. It says high energy on the back (and it's the stuff that doesn't seed, if you know what I mean). I'll buy whatever food is best for it, but I'm really ignorant in the pigeon world, as you can tell.

The ring number is: IHU 04 S028157. Does this mean it's from Ireland and it's 4 years old? If you or anyone else knows the owner, I'd love them to know he/she is safe. This pigeon has been so loyal and has come to us for over 2 years - to be honest, I'd love to 'keep' this one. It must be a free spirit, and so hardy. It sits on my garden table in the summer, and watches me read the paper and lets me stroke it (most of the time), and in the winter, it perches on my garage and I talk to it. I think it's a magnificent bird, but clearly lost its way, one day. I'd like to by a coop so that it's got a proper environment. If I thought it would use it rather than having to squat somewhere, I'd gladly buy one

Skip back two years, and we started having a regular visitor in our garden - a racing pigeon who let me get near him/her and eat out of my hand. I learnt that the pigeon was from the Irish Homing Union and I mailed them to tell them the ring number and wanted them to let the owner know it was well. I didn't receive a reply. The pigeon comes to the garden nearly every day, but sometimes we won't see it for a few days or even a week or so. I bought food for it, and put a regular supply for it and the other birds. I've grown so fond of that pigeon, and I talk to it - nothing too deep, but the odd chat! Today, it was windy and cold. I looked out and the pigeon was puffed up, and really close to the house (by the patio). Didn't look its usual chipper self. I got my guinea pig run out, put a plastic sheet over it to shelter it from the wind, and put some food outside the run and inside it. The pigeon went straight in just before it started raining heavily. I left the run door open so that it was free to go where it wanted. I opened my back door so that I could keep an eye on it (cats, etc). 20 minutes later, I came back and the pigeon was in the kitchen walking around. It's still a pit puffed up, and doesn't look over well. I've put a box in the kitchen with food and water, and it's now perched on the box. Been there for a few hours. Not sure what I should do, but my instinct tells me to keep it inside. It may have to go in the garage later though. Under the circumstances, am I doing the right thing? Sorry if this is in the wrong place on the forum. Hi by the way - as you can tell I'm new and not a fancier - apart from this adopted bird