What to do with this pigeon?

[Pat "5mph"]

Got a kind of racing, I think, pigeon that took up residence in my garden.
It's been here for a good few weeks, you can see it's high class, light gray, almost white, bigger than the wild ones, it's got a tag on it's feet.
I have a bird feeder regularly replenished with seeds and a big bird bath, of course this pigeon is not shifting, plenty of pals around too.
I googled a bit, they all want you to catch the bird, read the tag, put the bird in a box ... Eh? Right you are!
Or cat carrier, don't say if with the cat in or not
Anyway, the flaming bird does not want to be approached for me to read the tag.
Are they valuable?
Should I make more of an effort to reunite it with it's owner?
I don't mind for it to outlive its life in my garden, but am I meant to tell somebody?
Uff, it's all @User9609's fault!

 

[Spinney]

I was going to say roasted slowly is probably quite good.

 

[annedonnelly]

If it's a racing pigeon it should be used to being handled. Ring should have a phone number on. Ring up and ask. Use binoculars to look or zoom in with your camera.

We were always told that owners didn't want them back as they're clearly lost and hence no good for racing. But I found one & rang and the bloke came out to collect it so obviously they do want them back.

 

[stephec]

Have you tried to stop the pigeon
Stop the pigeon
Stop the pigeon
Stop the pigeon
Stop the pigeon
Stop the pigeon
STOP THAT PIGEON NOW!

Don't ask Dastardly and Mutley for help though, they're not very good at it.

 

[Mo1959]

Dad once told me that, as Anne says, the owners are not too happy with them not returning and there would be a good chance they would wring it's neck as he kindly put it! Maybe you should just look after it.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Stop putting food out for a few days and it will go elsewhere. Otherwise, just leave it and it will look after itself like all the other pigeons that have escaped a life of slavery.

I am liking this!
That's what I feel like doing anyway: the other wee birds would miss their food I think, plus of course there are other pigeons, a few jackdaws, and others.
I haven't got a clue about the life of a racing pigeon btw, it sounds hard work.
@annedonnelly I did try to approach it, it flew away.
All the web sites want you to catch it first, to read the tag, before they can take action.

 

[midlife]

I did not shoot that plump breasted pigeon ....


Shaun

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

If it's a racing pigeon it should be used to being handled. Ring should have a phone number on. Ring up and ask. Use binoculars to look or zoom in with your camera.

We were always told that owners didn't want them back as they're clearly lost and hence no good for racing. But I found one & rang and the bloke came out to collect it so obviously they do want them back.

The bit about owners wanting them back is true.

The ring, as said earlier, will have a contact number on it and you'll be asked to provide the ring number - this will then allow the person you phone to check who owns it, and they can then contact you to arrange collection.

We had one come visit last year for a day, and the bloke who came was delighted we had phoned; he was hugely enthusiastic about his pigeons and we spent a good hour chatting to him; the total round trip for him was about 6 hours - he was on holiday and travelled from the caravan park to our house to his home and then back to the caravan.

 

[classic33]

Stop putting food out for a few days and it will go elsewhere. Otherwise, just leave it and it will look after itself like all the other pigeons that have escaped a life of slavery.

They're better fed & looked after most household pets!

 

[Beebo]

I did not shoot that plump breasted pigeon ....


Shaun

You shot Speckled Jim.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I think mine comes from Hamilton, 9 miles up the road.
I found the Hamilton pigeon racing website
Well, if it doesn't want me near him to read the tag, it can consider himself adopted.

 

[Beebo]

I would call Hamilton racing club and see if they want to collect it.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I would call Hamilton racing club and see if they want to collect it.

After reading your post I went back to the website I'd found.
They stated on their web form that the bird must be restrained before contacting them, but I said to myself, well, a phone call won't hurt.
They are in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Guess I need to think of a suitable bird name now

 

[RoubaixCube]

After reading your post I went back to the website I'd found.
They stated on their web form that the bird must be restrained before contacting them, but I said to myself, well, a phone call won't hurt.
They are in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Guess I need to think of a suitable bird name now

Jeremy Beadle

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Nab him! Jab him! Tab him! Grab him!