Many people are familiar with dogs and cats as beloved household companions, and increasingly, adopting shelter animals is becoming more common. However, a lesser-known fact is that shelters are also home to many birds in need of loving families. Among these feathered residents are pigeons, often overlooked as potential pets. But can a pigeon truly be a pet? The answer is a resounding yes! Pigeons, particularly domestic breeds, make wonderful pets, and they are in dire need of our help.
Why Pigeons Make Great Pets – And Why They Need Our Help
My journey with pigeons began with Palomacy, an organization I founded (originally named MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue) when I discovered that domestic pigeons, unable to survive in the wild, were being euthanized in shelters simply due to a lack of adopters. Breeds like Kings, Fantails, Tumblers, and Homers are intelligent, beautiful, and gentle birds. Through selective breeding and domestication, they have become reliant on human care and, while unsuited for wild environments, they flourish as pets. Sadly, many pigeons, along with other birds, end up in animal shelters as surrenders or lost strays, desperately needing adoption to find a safe and loving home.
Pigeons are versatile pets that can thrive either as indoor members of your family or in a secure outdoor aviary, offering companionship and joy in various living situations.
A spacious and secure outdoor aviary providing a happy home for adopted pigeons.
Creating an Outdoor Paradise: Pigeons in an Aviary
Rescued pigeons, unlike their wild counterparts, cannot be released to fly freely outdoors. Domestic pigeons are vulnerable to predators like hawks and cats, making an aviary essential for their safety when kept outside. This aviary needs to be meticulously predator-proof, constructed robustly and securely on all sides, including a solid top and bottom. Rodent-proofing is equally crucial, achieved by using 16-gauge or stronger hardware mesh with openings of half an inch or smaller. Within the aviary, a sheltered corner offering shade on hot days and dryness during rain is vital. When planning an aviary, remember that bigger is always better. For a flock of four pigeons, a minimum size of 6 feet long, 4 feet deep, and 6 feet high is recommended.
Life in an aviary is a masterclass in leisure for pigeons. They spend their days indulging in baths, preening their feathers, basking in the sun, searching for their favorite seeds, observing the sky, napping, showing off their plumage, and engaging in courtship rituals. Every four to five weeks, mated pairs will lay two eggs. To manage population control, these eggs should be replaced with fake eggs. Pigeons form strong pair bonds and are devoted mates for life. Their care routine involves fresh food and water daily, a quick removal of droppings each day, and a thorough weekly cleaning of the aviary. Pigeons are not only beautiful and peaceful but also full of individual personalities. With patience and care, most pigeons can become hand-tamed and all can certainly form strong bonds with their human caretakers. Creating an appealing, safe, and enriching aviary for rescued pigeons is a rewarding endeavor.
West of England Tumbler pigeons, Beau and Cher, exemplify the lifelong bonds pigeons form with their mates.
Indoor Pigeon Companions: Bringing Pigeons into Your Home
Pigeons are also well-suited to living indoors as cherished members of the family. For indoor pigeons, a spacious cage serves as their home base. A double-flight cage or an extra-large dog kennel provides ample space for a pair of pigeons. Crucially, they need daily time outside of their cage to stretch their wings, exercise their legs, and simply enjoy a change of scenery. Indoors, pigeons tend to walk more than fly, choosing favorite spots to relax and observe their surroundings. These intelligent and easy-going birds quickly adapt to household routines. They can coexist peacefully with other pets, including dogs and cats, provided they are kept safe and supervised. Pigeons are highly social creatures and thrive on companionship. They need a “best friend forever,” whether it’s another bird or a human who can offer interaction throughout the day. Leaving a pigeon alone in a cage for extended periods is not conducive to their well-being.
Petey and Pineapple engage with Janelle and Beep in their roomy indoor double-flight cage, highlighting the social nature of pigeons.
Managing Indoor Pigeon Droppings with Pigeon Pants
Perhaps the primary concern for those considering indoor pigeons is managing their droppings. However, healthy pigeon poop is odorless and relatively easy to manage, especially on hardwood or tile floors, or with strategically placed protective liners. Furthermore, pigeons can be potty trained, or, for a fun and practical solution, they can wear pigeon pants! Pigeon pants are adorable little harnesses equipped with a diaper to catch droppings. These pants are simple to put on, and pigeons generally tolerate them very well. Once dressed in their pants, pigeons can freely roam and fly around the house, sit on laps, and perch on shoulders without any mess. The diaper liner, typically half a panty-liner, needs changing approximately every 3 hours.
Frances, a pet pigeon, comfortably wears pigeon pants while playfully interacting with a teddy bear, demonstrating a solution for indoor pigeon care.
Spread the Word: Pigeons Deserve Loving Homes
There is immense joy in having a pet pigeon. I personally cherish the gentle pitter-patter of my own pet pigeon, Frances, as he explores the house on his tiny pink feet. He enjoys his independent time, perhaps lounging in a sunbeam or preening in front of a mirror, but he always seeks me out for companionship, bringing a smile to my face every time he approaches.
Countless beautiful, gentle, and innocent domestic pigeons like Frances are waiting for homes. Unable to survive in the wild, these birds face euthanasia in shelters if they are not adopted. Please share this story widely and help raise awareness about the plight of birds in shelters. Most people are simply unaware of the number of birds needing rescue.
If you are interested in adopting a pigeon, please fill out our online adoption application.
To support our efforts in helping these unique birds, please visit our Donate Page to find out how you can contribute.
Click here to download our flyer to learn more about adopting pigeons and doves.
Thank you from all the birds and myself!
