Cant Catch

PigeonDetective · April 18, 2013

There is a black racing pigeon hanging around my house.. My heart sunk when I saw it, because I thought my flights had escaped their loft with the high winds..

Its very dark black, with white wing tips on one side and quite big ceres.. a very handsome bird....

Tried to catch him yesterday, but he/she seems a bit wise.. Appears to have rings on both legs

Fed it some maintenance food and left a bowl of water out.. Was surprised to see it again today, noticed he had some water to drink.. Had a quick check on neighbours roofs, seems to have flown now..

Hopefully it just needed to recharge its batteries and its on its way home to its owner!

PigeonDetective · April 18, 2013

He/She is back.. It has a ring on each leg.. one red & one blue

If that rings a bell to anybody?

JohnQuinn · April 18, 2013

He/She is back.. It has a ring on each leg.. one red & one blue

If that rings a bell to anybody?

Sounds like double rubber rings so its probably from a National race and has spent the winter roughing it. Keep feeding it and if you have a basket handy sit it near where you put the feeding down. Each time it returns put the feeding nearer the basket until it pays no attention to it being there (hopefully it'll ignore it right away ) then start putting feeding into the basket. If it goes in you can pull the basket closed with string.

Another way is to "Loop" it, but that takes a bit more doing however if the above disnae work i'll explain the Loop to you. It'll no go far if you feed it regularly, the feed in the basket might take a few days so be patient and you'll get it

PigeonDetective · April 18, 2013

Thanks john.. I haven't got a basket handy, but if I gain its trust enough might be able to get it with something else.. He's on the roof of my house I think, Best place for him with the cats around here..

It might be of use if you explain 'the loop' technique if he sticks around a while longer haha

JohnQuinn · April 19, 2013

The loop is preferably Fly Fishing line, make a noose at the end. Does NOT need tied like a hangmans noose just tie at the end leaving it loose enough to feed the other end through it, like a choker dog lead. Make the loop about 4" and place feeding around the loop. The doo should stand with its feet inside the loop whilst feeding. Pull the end as hard and fast as you can in order to catch its leg/s in the loop then pull it to you like you were landing a fish, if ye keep the tension right the doo canny escape. There is a certain amount of "touch" needed to do this but it is VERY successful especially when there isn't a loft or shed to get the bird into. atb with it John.

PigeonDetective · April 19, 2013

The loop is preferably Fly Fishing line, make a noose at the end. Does NOT need tied like a hangmans noose just tie at the end leaving it loose enough to feed the other end through it, like a choker dog lead. Make the loop about 4" and place feeding around the loop. The doo should stand with its feet inside the loop whilst feeding. Pull the end as hard and fast as you can in order to catch its leg/s in the loop then pull it to you like you were landing a fish, if ye keep the tension right the doo canny escape. There is a certain amount of "touch" needed to do this but it is VERY successful especially when there isn't a loft or shed to get the bird into. atb with it John.

I get ya.. il get myself some fishing line then..

we got in after work today and the pigeon actually come down to see me and be fed, definitely gaining his trust..

The neighbours were moaning to me today about the cr*p on the wall from him (the pigeons a cock for the purpose of the thread haha)

And with the cats knocking about, the sooner I catch him the better really..

He's wiley, il give him that! Thanks for the advice john

April 19, 2013

I get ya.. il get myself some fishing line then..

we got in after work today and the pigeon actually come down to see me and be fed, definitely gaining his trust..

The neighbours were moaning to me today about the cr*p on the wall from him (the pigeons a cock for the purpose of the thread haha)
And with the cats knocking about, the sooner I catch him the better really..

He's wiley, il give him that! Thanks for the advice john

was the big wattles a give away

lol