The bird had been hanging around the high-rise condo where Richard works for about three days--didn't fly away and was in real danger of being killed by residents' cars and/or feral cats. Also looked too thin. The pigeon was so unafraid, he/she came into the shop every day to "visit". Soooooo, Richard brought the pigeon home. A band on the bird's leg says AU 2008. I found out on the internet that AU stands for American Racing Piegon Association and probably 2008 is the hatch date for the pigeon. The band on the other leg probably had specific identification on it, but is not readable.We checked with the local Wildlife Rescue and they suggested that we keep the bird rather than turn it in to them.
So, we got a nice cage for the pigeon and named him Rudy. He's gained some weight and is so beautiful and healthy. We let him out of the cage to fly around the Florida room (screened patio). I've looked on the internet and learned a few things about racing (hominmg) pigeons, but still don't know much. Anyone out there have experience with these birds.
IMHO I would try and return the bird to it's owner. These birds get to fly around in the 'sky' where they belong all day... where they live with owners who race them.
Staying in a cage and being unable to fly in the sky is really not fair to him.
I had a racing pigeon find me, many years ago. The numbers on his band WERE legible, so I found his owners. When they came to pick the bird up, they said that if he had been turned loose after a day or two of rest, he would have flown the rest of the way home.
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