Crested Pigeons as pet birds
Crested Pigeon
I recently had a rather interesting comment on an earlier post of mine about Crested Pigeons (see Great Birding Moments #5 Crested Pigeons).
Karen wrote:
I have a crested pigeon sitting on my shoulder at the moment. I went for a walk one morning and saw her on the footpath. She ran towards me, not usual pigeon behaviour. I picked her up, she cooed and closed her eyes. I took her home and fed her and she’s stayed. She follows me around the house and is the most inquisitive bird I have ever known. She is quite content to be scratched around the head and calls to me whenever I enter the room. She was obviously someone’s pet but I had no success in locating them. I originally had intended to feed her up and let her go again but she is so tame she would have been a danger to herself. She lives with my 3 cockatiels and probably thinks that she is one.
What an amazing experience! Karen is certainly right in deducing that it is someone’s pet, because the behaviour is certainly consistent with a bird that has been used to being handled.
Crested Pigeons are reasonably common in aviculture, especially in zoo collections. This species normally requires a large planted aviary and will breed readily in captivity.
I find it interesting that it is quite at ease in her home and with the Cockatiels. It must make her day very pleasant to have such a lovely team of bird friends to keep her company.
She is probably right that it is safer in her home rather than fending for itself in the wild. If released, it would probably be taken by a hawk very quickly as it would not be as alert to the dangers presented by living life in the wild.
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December 20th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Hi I’m Anette.
Today I have found a 4-5 wks. old Creston Pigeon on the ground. Probably fallen from the nest.
The nest sits pretty high in a thin tree and it would be too dangerous for me, trying to put the pigeon back in its nest.
Has anyone an idea what to feed baby pigeons?
December 20th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Hi there Anette. Try reaading through this article for help:
http://www.trevorsbirding.com/great-birding-moments-5-crested-pigeon
September 13th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I also found a baby crested pigeon, i found it near the road, and it can’t fly yet. It is all gray with orange eyes. Im not sure how old it is.
I’ve had it for a few days, and i have not seen it eat anything. I have some canary bird mix, but i might try some other bird food too.
She (or he) is very chirpy and loves to perch on the stick in her cage (i used to have other birds).
She doesn’t mind me patting her under her beak, but not on her back. She flies a little only to the perching stick.
What should i do? What should i feed her?
September 14th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Hi there Ania,
I am not at all experienced at looking after baby birds. Can I suggest that you ring your local pet shop and ask for advice from them. They should also be able to give you a contact name of someone in your local bird club who would be experienced in breeding and caring for birds. Sorry I cannot help.
September 14th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Hey,
I have a baby pigeon and it’s probably only a week or so old and I have no idea what to feed it.
Can you give me some ideas on what to feed a baby piegon?
Thanks.
September 14th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I am not at all experienced at looking after baby pigeons. Please see my previous comment.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
i have had many a crested pigeon, i feed all fleggling the granivour mixed with mealworms, a little insectivour. i provide a few pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables and also trill bird seed. always have fresh water near by. please dont hestitate to contact me over any thing. hope i have been helpful and not a hinderance
January 16th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thank you for those hints Kylie.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:10 am
I am very eager to buy a crested pigeon i am from pune India
March 19th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Intersting bird
March 19th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hi there aatish, welcome to my blog about wild Australian birds. This is not a site about keeping birds in captivity.
Crested Pigeons are sometimes kept in specialist aviaries such as in zoos but they are not easily obtained. I would be very surprised if you could buy one in India because I have never even seen one in a pet shop here in Australia.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I laughed at Karen’s experience mentioned above. My husband had a similar experience with 2 crested pigeons flying into his workshop and then flying to him and sitting on his head and shoulder. We think they were probably hand raised and either escaped or someone had let them go. They just looked for someone else to watch out for them and for food. Of course he had to bring them home and they happily went into a cage prepared for them. Now we are considering an aviary for them to live in. I already have a aviary of ringed necked doves but am unsure of putting them in with them as the doves are not as sociable as I thought, as they are quite mean to one another in mating time.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Hi there Andrea.
Crested Pigeons will breed readily in captivity but require a large - preferably planted - aviary to be really content. Seeing they were probably hand raised you might be able to get away with a smaller cage - I have no experience in keeping pigeons. (My interest is mainly in wild birds.)
One reference book I do have says that they can be very aggressive during breeding, even to birds much larger, so it is probably best to keep them away from the doves. Otherwise - it could all “end in tears.”
Check in your local library for books about keeping birds so you can get an idea of the best size aviary for them. Alternatively, check the phone book for the nearest bird club for advice.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I have seen a pair of crested pigeon in pune at jogs bird breeding centre in 2006 i am found of them
May 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Something that should be considered if you’re keeping crested pigeons, or any other native birds, in a cage or aviary. Depending on what state you’re in, you may be breaking the law if you aren’t a registered carer or a member of a carer organisation.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Thanks for the reminder Steve.
What you say is a timely warning, though it is only partially correct. As far as I understand it, each state of Australia has its own regulations. Before keeping any native bird or animal one should check with the relevant authorities, often National Parks and Wildlife (check in your phone book).
There is a permit system for keeping native birds in captivity. In South Australia, for example, a few species may be kept without a permit. Other species may be kept with a permit and holdings must be reported annually. Some species may be kept for breeding and sale if you have the relevant permits. The caged bird trade is highly regulated in Australia - as it should be.
What is quite clear though is that you cannot take a bird from the wild and keep it as a pet unless you are a registered carer. This is the point that Steve is making.
Always check with your local WIRES or wildlife carer organisation for advice before keeping an injured bird or animal as a pet. Check in the phone book for contact numbers.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Just to add to what you said regarding carers organisations Trevor. Most don’t cost much to join and they provide training if you wish to become a carer. Some will even supply you with cages and other supplies.
So if someone has found an animal and wants to look after it themselves, it would be worthwhile joining a carer’s organisation. It’s very rewarding. Incidentally, I’m caring for a crested pigeon at the moment after getting a call from a local vet. I’ll try and get a picture of it on my carer’s blog http://possumpocket.blogspot.com this weekend.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Thanks for that extra advice Steve.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
A few months back, during a fairly bad storm, a Crested Pigeon chick fell out of his nest and landed on the roof of my car. I thought I could see his nest, but there were no birds around being particularly concerned, and I couldn’t climb up to put him back.
I took him inside and had a helluva time trying to feed him. I’ve only reared mammals, so it was odd to me that his beak opened upwards. I was feeding him ground up ‘native bird’ seed mix that was softened with boiling water, cooled, and then fed to him.
I went to the big pet supplies store we have nearby and got the only thing I could find that any websites had told me I could use - layer pellets. I wasn’t sure if it was okay, but he seemed to love them. And it was much easier to push half a soggy pellet down his gob than mushed up seed.
Within a few days I was combining the tiniest bits of grass, fresh seed, and the sort to his food, and within about two or two-and-a-half weeks, he was feeding on his own. Hurrah!
I got him a much bigger cage, and set up a tray in the bottom that had grass and other seeds grown in it for him to romp and scratch around in. [I had three, alternating them being in his cage and being outside to recover, seeing as he loved to uproot the seedlings]
I kept his cage inside, but during the day I’d put him out to enjoy the sun and air, and I’d let him out when he was inside so that he could play on the ground or snuggle up with me, which he loved doing. Best neck warmer I’ve ever had. I can’t believe how incredibly playful he is, and intelligent too. If I tapped something with my finger, he’d come over to find out if I had food [handy if I dropped crumbs during a meal]. But if I did it too many times, and there was no food, he’d mock attack my hand.
And just as I was about to upgrade him to a new, bigger cage, he passed away. I uncovered him this morning, and he was huddled up in his nesting box looking sleepy. I came back an hour later, and he was on his side on the floor of the cage, dead.
Quite disturbing.
We suspect he had brain damage from the start, as he often was much clumsier than we thought he should be, and sometimes had trouble doing menial things.
I really hate to think I may have shortened his life somehow. Did I do anything wrong? I did a fair bit of research before I set him up.
Actually, here’s a peculiar video of him. If we had him on the table during dinner, he’d roll onto one side and flip a wing up. He looked like a sail boat, and the first time he did it, he had us in stitches. =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWunLdnqBJU
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Sometimes if they aren’t fed the right stuff when they’re young it can affect their development, but it sounds like you fed this one properly Sarah. You gave him a bit of extra time that he wouldn’t otherwise have got.
The easiest way to check for brain damage in any animal, including humans, is to shine a light in its eyes. The pupil should contract, if it doesn’t then there’s a good chance its concussed. Usually they’ll get over it in a day or two, sometimes it takes a bit longer. Sometimes it’s permanent.
From watching that video, I’d say you’re right about the brain damage. They can be totally alert in some things and completely stupid in others.
I’ve actually just got back from picking up a concussed lorikeet not ten minutes ago. He’s downstairs in a cage at the moment unable to fly. Concussion is really common with lorikeets.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hi there Sarah and Steve. Thanks for visiting and for relating your experiences.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Hi there,
I’d like to know where I could find some information about purchasing and raising a crested pigeon in Victoria, Australia (Melbourne).
Thanks in advance
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Hi there Liz - sorry for the delay in replying to your question.
This is a blog about birds seen in the wild - not about keeping birds in captivity. There are many pet shops which have websites so you would be better off checking them out. You could also look in your phone directory for the nearest pet shop or bird club.
May I remind you that there are many restrictions on keeping Australian native birds in captivity and that most species require a special permit. In addition to that requirement, most species have very specific needs to be kept successfully in captivity, especially cage size, food, nesting requirements and so on. Crested Pigeons certainly fall into this category as far as I know.
I would suggest that you do your homework first. While it might be possible to buy and keep this species, expect to have a long search Australia wide, and be prepared to pay several hundred dollars for a breeding pair.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I have found a baby crested pigeon. I have no experience with birds but I spotted this one as a cat was playing with it in my back yard. It has not been harmed bu the cat, but I have no idea where its nest is located. I would like to care for it but as I feel that if nothing is done this bird will surely die. I am not sure what I should do. I believe they eat seeds, but what kind of seeds and that they need to drink every day, but how do I give it a drink (in bowl, in a something else) I need advice can someone help please. Thanks
Zoe
November 26th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I found my crested pidgeon incredibly easy to care for.
If you have a small eyedropper [with a narrow opening] you’ll be able to encourage it to drink.
The biggest thing, if you’ve never cared for a bird, is to remember the UPPER part of its beak opens upward.
To open its beak, nestle the bird on your lap, cup your hand over it, and bring your index finger and thumb around beside it’s head. Cradle the back of it’s head in the webbing of thumb/finger. Use those two fingers to hold the bottom beak, and use a finger from your other hand to lift the tip up. Once it’s open a few milimeters, move your thumb and index a little so that they’re wedged between the upper and lower beak [Use the side of your thumb, finger, so you don’t crack the beak open too wide when it’s resisting]
Don’t overwater it, though, as baby birds only get water from their parents. They don’t drink that much.
Pick up some canary seed mix, and grind it down in a pestle and mortar, and then mix with warm water [make sure it’s cooled down a little before feeding, but not cold]. If you have a really narrow spoon, that’s your best bet. You can try sticking it in a syringe or eyedropper, but I found it didn’t work.
I ended up opening it’s mouth, taking a pinch of the seed mash, squishing it into the bird’s beak, and then using my fingers to run down the sides of the beak and helping the food further into the back of it’s beak.
Hope that helps you a bit.
I found that my pidge never called out for food. He very rarely made quiet little peeps. I took to feeding him small amounts every hour.
As far as bedding, I used an old icecream container, put shredded newspaper in it, and then covered it with tissues. I put a hot-water-bottle [warm, actually] underneath it, so that the nest was warm for him.
November 26th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hi there Frank - welcome to my bird blog. Thanks for stopping by and leaving some comments.
Thanks heaps Sarah - I’ve had a very busy day - you’ve stepped in and given an excellent answer to Frank’s questions. I really appreciate it.
November 27th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Thanks Sarah I’ll do my best.
I won’t be able to feed it every hour as I work and can not take it to work. If I feed it morning and night will that be OK do you think?
I will stay in touch and hopefully I will come back with some good news.
Cheers Frank
November 27th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Frank
I don’t mean to come across as being holier than though, but if you are not able to look after this bird properly, then find someone that can.
If you’re in Queensland, then you’re breaking the law if you’re keeping it without a permit. So many people think it’s cool to raise a baby bird and they rely on what ever knowledge they can glean from the internet to help them do it. If you don’t look after this little fellow properly it will die. Crested pidgeons are not hard to care for, as someone else said, you can get Wambaroo granivore mix from you local petshop and it’ll have instructions on the box so you know how to make the mix up.
What Sarah said is good advice, but get in touch with a wildlife organisation in your area. You’ll get much quicker, specific, advice which is what you need when you’re looking after animals that can be apparently healthy one minute and dead an hour later. I speak from experience.
What do you plan to do with the little guy when it grows up if you’re successful, you can’t keep it as a pet, so you need help with releasing it. Find a carer, they may be able to help you become one yourself, then you’ll discover just how rewarding, and hard, it can be.