i think he got loose from someone coop, thats what that band is

Well, it doesn't mean he's married...that's for sure. :D He is a homing pigeon or an escapee. There are no special interest groups going around and banding pigeons. ;)

And you mean to tell me...Houston doesn't HAVE pigeons? Every big city I've ever been in...and even our little one....has pigeons.

:D LMAO!! You guys are killing me:D :D :D :D :D

This is SO COOL and he's still there - so....IF he has a bracelet on - does this mean he's one of those messinger birds ?

So I guess him talking is out of the question... :( and LOL on the Dr. Doolittle - can you tell I have NOT had a backyard too long ?:p

Houston has LOTS of pigeons - I've just never seen one in my yard ...and he is pretty - all the pigeons I remember were pretty scruffy looking...and LOL DEB - I think he WANTS to get married - I got so many GREAT SHOTS of him ...this is where I was shooting normally.....the others I had to hold the camera over my head...but he was looking right down on me

everyone is right! although I believe he is a homing pigeon.. I grew up with my dad being the bird man of San Franciso LOL he was in a pigeon club, and they race them.. among sending notes etc..here is some info on homing pigeons

The homing pigeon is a variety of domesticated Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) that has been selectively bred to be able to find its way home over extremely long distances. Because any pigeon generally returns to its own nest and its own mate, it was relatively easy to selectively breed the birds that repeatedly found their way home over long distances. The birds can carry messages (frequently written on cigarette paper) in a small tube attached to one leg. Flights as long as 1689 miles have been recorded by exceptional birds in competition pigeon racing. Their average flying speed over moderate distances is around 30 miles per hour, but they can achieve bursts of speed up to 60 mph
World War I
Messenger pigeons were used extensively during World War I. In 1914 during the First Battle of the Marne, the French army had 72 pigeon lofts which advanced with the troops.

The US Army Signal Corps alone used 600 pigeons in France. One of their carrier pigeons, a Black Check cock called Cher Ami, was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre with Palm" for heroic service delivering 12 important messages in Verdun. On his final mission in October 1918, he delivered a message despite having been shot through the breast or wing. The crucial message, found in the capsule hanging from a ligament of his shattered leg, saved around 200 US soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division's "Lost Battalion".


World War II and later
During World War II, the United Kingdom used about 250,000 messenger

Reading a leg band

All thoroughbred pigeons are registered with permanent leg bands a few days after being hatched. These special bands, also called rings, stay on the bird for life. They are unique and identify a bird as belonging to a national sponsoring organization, a local club, and finally to an individual club member. The leg band also tells the year the birds was hatched.

When examining a band number, look for the following bits of information:


National sponsoring pigeon organization. Examples: IF, AU, NPA

Year the bird was hatched. Examples: 99, 00, 01

Local club code. Examples: OMAHA, SOJ, LAB

Bird number. Examples: 5701, 10243

A complete band number might read: AU 99 OMAHA 1234.
Some national level pigeon organizations post their club affiliate's contact information online. Others list a contact individual. Please view the table below to get more information on the band you've found.

Organizations in: North America, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia,


North America
Band Code Organization Contact
AU American Racing Pigeon Union http://www.pigeon.org
CU Canadian Racing Pigeon Union (Canada) http://www.

WOW THANK YOU ! THAT was so interesting....if he's a racing pigeon - I'm not placing a bet on him - he sure isn't going too fast right now lol...

but how do they tell them WHERE to go ? do they get little MAPQUESTS ? :D

I don't see any little notes - man...wouldn't THAT be fun to add a note to his foot and see what happens ?

Do you have gloves?
 

If it were me, I would try to see if he would come to me! I would put on one of my long gardening gloves and go offer him my finger. That way, you could read the band and try to contact the owner. If he's/she's as docile as you say, it may WANT you to come out and get it!

Good luck!! I can't wait to see if this turns into Vee's Big Pidgeon Adventure!!!!!!!!!:p

LOL I'm not placing a bet on him - he sure isn't going too fast right now lol...

they are bred and trained to know? I would have to ask my dad! I remember asking him when I was a kid how do they know to come back home?? but I don't really remember his answer?

LOL...I was just hangin out with my new pigeon and he is just looking at me but moved into the shade more into my neighbors yard - but still there.....

I REALLY appreciate the feedback here - I was freakin thinking this was someones PET bird lol - I just remember a friend losing her African Grey and some birds are so expensive....I'm seriously thinking of trying to put a little note on his foot though....Should I go try to read his tag ?

If he will let you, absolutely!
 

lol, I knew you were out there with it!!:p Yes, please try to read the tag, but take care you watch the beak!:p

If He is a homing pigeon, they are used to being handled so he will not peck you should you attempt to pick him up either come from the bottom as if to offer your hand for him to step up on you hand or wrap your hand around his back with his wings closed, then you can read his tag, here is a link that I attached to contact to recover lost homers, if he is sitting on your fence all this time, he must live by or is completely off track and is lost.

http://www.interbug.com/pigeon/lost.html

Jo, you ROCK!!
 

Nicely done, Joanne!

So Villette, how IS the Great Pidgeon Adventure coming?? Update, please!:D

V's off line...I suspect she out there now....calling here, pig-gee, pig-gee, nice pig-gee. :D The bird on the other hand is wondering WTH?!?!?

Lololol!!!
 

I can see it too!!! She's probably got an ear of corn or something, trying to lure him!! Can you just imagine what her neighbors think???:p