Pet pigeon (Elmo) very excited: cooing and head-butting

[Vickramjason]

do they they really socialize well?? i mean, do they even listen if ur calling them?

Like if ur on the couch enjoyin anythn and do they come close like dogs...

i know stupid question...but just help me out..!

my mom doesn't like dogs and cats...!! so i was wondering keep a bird..

[PigeonsAsPets]

@Vickramjason

Hi, pigeons tame really well, as long as they have been raised by humans in a sympathetic way. They can be just as affectionate and attentive as dogs. Many learn their name and will come to you when called. But since each pigeon is an individual you never know how they will act around humans. Please also bear in mind that pigeons poop a lot! Not very easy to toilet train.

[kuribitah]

very cute <3

[SYLPHone]

This is the best video! Thats a sweet bird! Hes just having some fun!

[PigeonsAsPets]

@SYLPHone

Thanks, he is indeed! :) Elmo loves to run up to us with his tail fanned out. He'll also puff out his chest and try to jump on your head. :)

[featherwinglove]

He appears to be frustrated that you're so close to his nest, lol.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@featherwinglove

Hi, Elmo is bonded to my husband and so he's excited that he's in his nest. Elmo often calls to my husband for him to come to the nest. :)

[featherwinglove]

@PigeonsAsPets Cool, I could tell Elmo was acting towards him much like he would a fellow pigeon in the same flock (I've observed a lot of wild pigeons.) I did see a sparrow peck right in among the pigeons, stealing a seed from under the nose of one three times, after which the pigeon finally had a fit. Elmo doesn't look anywhere near that frustrated.

[SplizzlahSavage]

Thats an amazing bird. I love how dark he is too. I hope my baby pigeon does that he is sitting here staring at the screen lol

[xXxPiousNinjaxXx]

How do you tell the difference between a male and female pigeon? i want to raise a flock of them.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@xXxPiousNinjaxXx

Hi, there are a lot of old wives tales on sexing pigeons but the only true way to tell the difference is to have them DNA sexed (send off a feather to the lab). But you can often tell by behaviour. Unfortunately, I cannot write the difference, you have to see the behaviour first hand. Sorry, not being much help but if you find someone local to you who looks after pigeons then they should be able to help.

[featherwinglove]

@xXxPiousNinjaxXx In this video, Elmo is dragging his tail, jumping and cooing, apparently trying to chase him out of the nest. That is typical male behaviour. The only really certain way I can tell is when they mate. I've caught two kissing couples and guessed which one was the boy, and both times, "she" later jumped on top (i.e.: I guessed wrong.) I couldn't identify the gender of my rescued wild babies (on my channel)

[ikutsu2001]

How did you acquire these pigeons? Through a rescue? 

[PigeonsAsPets]

@ikutsu2001

Yes, from a wildlife rescue centre were I work. Georgie (the semi-blind one) came to us as a baby and we hand-reared her, but Elmo had been living with a lady for 8 years before she couldn't look after him anymore and Elmo was brought to us for care 3 years ago.

[ikutsu2001]

@PigeonsAsPets Are they legal to keep as pets or do you have to rescue them? I'm not looking to have one as a pet really but I see so many that need rescuing that I thought I might help with them in the future.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@ikutsu2001

You don't need a license to keep pigeons in the UK (don't know about other countries) but you should never catch a healthy, wild pigeon and keep it as a pet. Only disabled or injured pigeons need help. Best to ask your local rescue centre if they are pigeon friendly and have any disabled ones that need a good home. But many disabled pigeons aren't tame so they would need an aviary, not living indoors. I'm sure you know all of this (I don't mean to sound patronising). :)

[ikutsu2001]

@PigeonsAsPets Not at all! (Ugh, I know that sounds sarcastic, stupid online text has no emotion lol) I wouldn't keep a healthy wild pigeon, they're best left in the wild. But I was thinking that someday I would like to help as much as I can with injured pigeons, I've rescued 2 since moving to the UK and I find it sad how many people just want them dead. So I thought I'd try my best to help them in the future when I have the resources.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@ikutsu2001

If you're interested in tame pigeons, then I know of a lady who runs a website with ones that need adopting in the UK: pigeonrescue.co.uk/homeswanted­.htm

[ikutsu2001]

@PigeonsAsPets Thanks! I wont be able to rescue any pigeons and take them in right now, I'm living with my in-laws right now because I just moved to the UK. I'll keep the site bookmarked though :)

[rredemsky]

I have a 6 month old female named Alya and she is now just starting to become quit affectionate. She loves to preen my face and hunches down for pets. Must be all those hormones ;) She also tail drags when I get her out of her cage in the morning. She is always so excited to see me

[PigeonsAsPets]

@rredemsky

Sounds like you have a pigeon that thinks you're her mate! :)

[pinkpixie500]

Ok so my pigeon does the whole walking and dragging his tail all fanned out on the ground, is that a good thing? My family calls it peacocking lol. He responds if you make any kind of wierd noise to him and he will fly and land on my head and such.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@pinkpixie500

Sounds like your pigeon is dancing to you, trying to attract your attention so he can mate with you. :) Many tame pigeons will respond to a person's voice and think that the person is his/her mate. If he coos as he dances then he's doing the mating dance. :)

[MelsRamblings]

it's funny, one of my pigeons used to do this too...kind of get excited, bow and run up to us. so cute.

[EmpireStateAru]

Do you have any advice for convincing my parents to let me have one? I really, really want to have one. We already have quite a few Quaker parrots, a parrotlet, and a Cockatoo, but I'd like to keep the pigeon as my own bird in my room. I really like the sound they make and they don't seem to get too loud (squawking-wise) and they're so pretty and many look so sweet-natured, we went to a bird fair and they had a white one and it made me so sad I couldn't get her ;.; Any help would be appreciated.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@EmpireStateAru

Hi, if you want to adopt a pigeon, pls contact this organisation (I believe they may ship pigeons to you): mickacoo. org. Mickacoo have lots of wonderful King pigeons in need of homes and I'm sure they can advise you on how to care for them, etc. (Pls read their blog: rescuereport. org). Also, maybe the Wild Bird Fund can help: wildbirdfund. com (their blog: wildbirdfund.wordpress. com). Pigeons can be noisy when they constantly coo to get your attention, but we love them. :)

[MyMurphysLaw]

I did not know how sweet they were!

[PigeonsAsPets]

@MyMurphysLaw

Hi, yes, pigeons can be very sweet! :) Our Elmo is a bit of a love-junkie: he loves affection and cuddles.

[Kinobird]

I love pigeons! Great video! Elmo looks like a wonderful companion.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@Kinobird

Hi, thank you. Elmo is a indeed a wonderful companion. He's so loving and funny. We love him dearly. :)

[ronblibby]

i had one that was as affectionate if not more so. they are AMAZINGLY charismatic, loving creatures. if people only knew! one of the best, smartest pets i ever had. i just lost him last week.

[PigeonsAsPets]

@ronblibby

We, of course, totally agree with you: pigeons are the best! So sorry to hear of your loss, though. You must be going through a very tough time now.

[fay0318]

omg. so adorable <3