Hiya All,

Seen a few lost pigeons lately in the middle of the sea. Tags on their legs and got a bit close to one, old beaky has left now. Where do you think they go when they get lost? Is there like a pigeon club out there where they meet up or maybe I could contact old Beaky?

Good Old Beaky, I hope he finds a way home.

If you see them in the sea they will die, if they are not already dead. When pigeons get lost they will join themselves to another pigeon loft if they can find one. They can rarely survive if they don't. Most pigeons raised in a loft (ie not the scankey ones you see in city centres) have been treated very well and wouldn't be able to fend for themselves 'on the street'.

Sorry for the serious answer, I used to keep pigeons as a kid.

Beaky was in very good condition, later on the next day a couple of other pigeons turned up. Would that signify a big race or something? Could they just be stopping off for a rest or are they just lost?

This is what happens to lost homing pigeons..

Click here and here

totster

Beaky was in very good condition, later on the next day a couple of other pigeons turned up. Would that signify a big race or something? Could they just be stopping off for a rest or are they just lost?

It could signify a race. Every race has its casualties. I don't understand what you mean in your op. Were you on a boat/ship and the pigeon landed on-board. Or did you fish the pigeon out of the sea?

Edited July 19, 200718 yr by suegha

ymca

ymca

Chownah I accept you are as weird as a chipmunk in pyjamas but what is the meaning to your post above?

CB

Hiya All,

Seen a few lost pigeons lately in the middle of the sea. Tags on their legs and got a bit close to one, old beaky has left now. Where do you think they go when they get lost? Is there like a pigeon club out there where they meet up or maybe I could contact old Beaky?

Good Old Beaky, I hope he finds a way home.

It is common in races to lose birds due to hawks, being blown off course, lost etc. Some birds will find a house and settle for a day or so and recuperate then fly on. However the sad outcome is that even if the bird makes its way home after several days it will be euthanased because it has failed it prime purpose which is to fly directy back to its loft in the shortest possible time.

The RSPCA in Australia has complained for years about the Racing Pigeon fraternity because when a bird is found the club and owners, don't want them back. Normally they suggest that the bird be killed and the registration ring sent to the association by reply paid post.

The birds do not survive in the wild and struggle to live with with the semi wild birds in the city.

CB

They find a city with plenty of outdoor cafes and become what's known as flying rats.

This is what happens to lost homing pigeons..

Click here and here

totster

They don't use real pigeons though, just draw pictures of them....

Ingredients

4-5 pigeons, drawn

salt and pepper

250g/8oz stewing beef

250g/8oz shortcrust pastry

beaten egg to glaze

2 tsp cornflour

300ml/10fl oz stock

See?

Beaky was in very good condition, later on the next day a couple of other pigeons turned up. Would that signify a big race or something? Could they just be stopping off for a rest or are they just lost?

It could signify a race. Every race has its casualties. I don't understand what you mean in your op. Were you on a boat/ship and the pigeon landed on-board. Or did you fish the pigeon out of the sea?

Hiya Suegha,

I was on an Oil Rig...The lil fella flew up and followed me everywhere. Then Old Beaky just vanished after a day or so. Could he still make it back home?

Edited July 20, 200718 yr by coldcrush

This is what happens to lost homing pigeons..

Click here and here

totster

Totster,

have a heart, old beaky was too fine to pass your uncaring lips!

Beaky was in very good condition, later on the next day a couple of other pigeons turned up. Would that signify a big race or something? Could they just be stopping off for a rest or are they just lost?

It could signify a race. Every race has its casualties. I don't understand what you mean in your op. Were you on a boat/ship and the pigeon landed on-board. Or did you fish the pigeon out of the sea?

Hiya Suegha,

I was on an Oil Rig...The lil fella flew up and followed me everywhere. Then Old Beaky just vanished after a day or so. Could he still make it back home?

Oh yes, if he had a bit of R&R thare's every chance that he made it home and is okay.

Point to CB above. I know that in UK and Ireland it's very rare for a bird to be killed if it just got lost or was blown of course. Even if it's a failed racer there will be plenty of willing fanciers who don't race who would be willing to adopt. I got many of my birds this way.

If they speak Pigeon English, there should never be a reason for them to get lost. They can just ask someone the way home.

If they speak Pigeon English, there should never be a reason for them to get lost. They can just ask someone the way home.

!!!!!!!!!

If they speak Pigeon English, there should never be a reason for them to get lost. They can just ask someone the way home.

Not if they are male, when has a bloke ever stopped and asked for directions?

Re-think ..... he'll be alone, no one can see him, he would do then

Point to CB above. I know that in UK and Ireland it's very rare for a bird to be killed if it just got lost or was blown of course. Even if it's a failed racer there will be plenty of willing fanciers who don't race who would be willing to adopt. I got many of my birds this way.

This makes me feel better. In Oz, WIRES (the wildlife rescue organisation) can't/doesn't rescue pigeons because they aren't a native bird. The RSPCA tries to hand them back to the pigeon racing clubs but they don't want them. Many places in Australia declare then a noxious pests similar to Indian Miner Birds, Starlings, Sparrows and the English . This puts them in a disputed area of care. While the wholesale slaughter of these birds would be a good idea from an enviromental point of view it would not be accepted by Australian society who even allow New Zealanders to visit/stay/live on social security etc despite the fact that the ungrateful sods just turn around and beat us at cricket and rugby union.

CB

If they speak Pigeon English, there should never be a reason for them to get lost. They can just ask someone the way home.

Hummm.... Can they be fitted with GPS to help them find their way home Save a lot of problems

TBWG

Or tie fishing line to their little legs on a REALLY big spool !!!!

Or tie fishing line to their little legs on a REALLY big spool !!!!

WIRES has an ongoing problem with what is called gull fishing. Seagulls, cormorants, albatrosses (with and without wafers) follow behind fishing boats and scoop up the lures being towed behind thinking they are live fish. It isn't such a problem unless the swallow it and the hooks set but they often get the lines tangled around their legs or beak. Some fishermen just cut the line but others try to reel in the bird. If the bird has simple grabbed the lure in its beak it will generally let go but with larger birds or ones tangled up it can cause massive damage. If the line is cut and the bird has tangled in the line then they generally die. WIRES estimated that approximately 1,000 sea birds are killed each month from this.

I am not a bird expert so am willing to be corrected on this but I remember reading that pigeons don't normally fly over open water. Across land with lakes yes but not out to sea. Urban myth?

CB

Trust you to stick up for the birds !!!!

fancier TLW.

I am not a bird expert so am willing to be corrected on this but I remember reading that pigeons don't normally fly over open water. Across land with lakes yes but not out to sea. Urban myth?

CB

In nature they don't, but they can be trained to.

Do a word search on 'water' in this lengthy doc..... http://www.zyworld.com/themarathonpigeon/internationals.htm

Or tie fishing line to their little legs on a REALLY big spool !!!!

WIRES has an ongoing problem with what is called gull fishing. Seagulls, cormorants, albatrosses (with and without wafers) follow behind fishing boats and scoop up the lures being towed behind thinking they are live fish. It isn't such a problem unless the swallow it and the hooks set but they often get the lines tangled around their legs or beak. Some fishermen just cut the line but others try to reel in the bird. If the bird has simple grabbed the lure in its beak it will generally let go but with larger birds or ones tangled up it can cause massive damage. If the line is cut and the bird has tangled in the line then they generally die. WIRES estimated that approximately 1,000 sea birds are killed each month from this.

I am not a bird expert so am willing to be corrected on this but I remember reading that pigeons don't normally fly over open water. Across land with lakes yes but not out to sea. Urban myth?

CB

of course its a myth CB. Old Beaky was in the middle of the sea!

Maybe it was a robot pigeon disguised as a racing pigeon or a special spy sent by the oil rigg company to spy on staff.

You were obviously under particular surveillance by Old Beaky coldcrush. Been naughty? Maybe in light of possible new findings he should be renamed Sneaky Beaky.

Take a GOOD look for clues next time.

Below is a clear example of a crafty bird employee:

Obviously, there are more sophisticated spyware around. Esp if the birdy is a robot, its all built in.

Next time, Watch the birdie coldrush!

------------------

Or tie fishing line to their little legs on a REALLY big spool !!!!

WIRES has an ongoing problem with what is called gull fishing. Seagulls, cormorants, albatrosses (with and without wafers) follow behind fishing boats and scoop up the lures being towed behind thinking they are live fish. It isn't such a problem unless the swallow it and the hooks set but they often get the lines tangled around their legs or beak. Some fishermen just cut the line but others try to reel in the bird. If the bird has simple grabbed the lure in its beak it will generally let go but with larger birds or ones tangled up it can cause massive damage. If the line is cut and the bird has tangled in the line then they generally die. WIRES estimated that approximately 1,000 sea birds are killed each month from this.

I am not a bird expert so am willing to be corrected on this but I remember reading that pigeons don't normally fly over open water. Across land with lakes yes but not out to sea. Urban myth?

CB

of course its a myth CB. Old Beaky was in the middle of the sea!

It's true they will fly across the sea when they have to. Many long races are like this they are the most challenging for the birds, as they don't know the distance just the direction. Also many losses through waves bringing birds down and once they are down they gernerally stay down!

Love the pictures Eek!

Hmmmm, Beaky was interested in my work alot, maybe he is from a rival offshore company. What about Hallibirdton? Hmmmm one has to be careful with these birdbrains about.... Sneaky Beaky....time is nearly up for my undercover pal Sneaky Beaky!

Edited July 22, 200718 yr by coldcrush