I have this ridiculously soft spot for animals of any kind. I would take in every single one (except for spiders) if I could, especially when we were living in Mauritius. It broke my heart to see all of those dogs and cats…before I digress and get all upset about the state of those poor animals, let’s get to the pigeon.
This beautiful specimen of a bird arrived one afternoon in my parents courtyard here at the River. He is quite a handsome and proud bird with his chest out and clearly enjoying the attention of us all oohing and aahing over him. Him could also be her – I have no idea.
Birdy didn’t want to leave and seemed to be pacing a bit at which time I started falling apart and wanted to take him home. Probably not the best idea with 3 feline fur children at home, 2 who are official mousers. As we humans do, we succumbed to the pressures and out came a slice of bread which Birdy gobbled up very quickly. The little fellow was probably starving, so there goes my heart again and my mind thinking that he hasn’t eaten for days and he must lost and thought it better to rather give him water than food as I am sure he is very thirsty, especially if he is lost, he must be quite stressed.
I haven’t often seen a pigeon with feathers around his feet, I wonder what it means, if anything at all?
He made his way straight to the basin of water and took a nice long drink. With his belly full and thirst quenched he was clearly a happy bird again.
Birdy was so happy that he strutted his stuff up and down the stairs and nearly into the house – he would have gone in had he been allowed. Mom and Dad would not hear of it! He would have been allowed in ours though – I am sure I could get our 3 to behave themselves long enough to make Birdy feel welcome. I know, I know, I can be slightly delusional.
Looks like somebody needs a pedicure
Birdy was still there the next day and evening which broke my heart – why did he not try and find his family – how did he get separated? Oh dear, I get myself very flappy. Dad tootled down the road to see if Birdy belonged to a gent who trains homing pigeons while I got ready to capture Birdy in a tea-shower, but alas the man has moved away!
Thankfully dad saw that their neighbour puts seed out every afternoon for the local wild birds so I’m hoping our boy moves in there!
Do you possibly know if he is a homing / racing pigeon – how would you tell?
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Wow your camera has nice zoom! I love your comment about pedicure hehehe. And the picture above is cute one – birdy trying to march down =D I’m not familiar with pigeons but come to think of it, I barely see brown and white kind!!
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on May 11, 2012
at 08:26
It was great fun photographing this bird – although I would have liked it if he stood still a bit longer for me to get a better shot. Have a super weekend Nami.:-)
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 09:15
This pigeon is a beauty – such an intelligent curious face and so cute
Homing pigeon rocks!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on May 11, 2012
at 09:55
Must say CCU, he was a beauty. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 10:54
he certainly looks like one! Patch managed to catch one that was flying over our garden.
By: Tandy on May 11, 2012
at 10:01
Well the pigeon was in Patch’s territory… Have a super weekend Tandy.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 10:56
Wow, great photos.
By: Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on May 11, 2012
at 13:47
Thanks so much Greg! Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 14:25
There are a number of pigeon breeds that have feathered feet, Mandy, but I haven’t enough knowledge to know whether this is one of those or has feathered feet by some happenstance. He’s a beauty, though. Enjoy your weekend. May it be spider-free!
By: ChgoJohn on May 11, 2012
at 13:54
You will not believe this BUT when I opened my dining room curtains this morning… yes, you guessed it, there was a spider the size of a dinner plate, okay a side plate, all right the truth is he was the size of a grape with seriously long legs which he stood up on, which made him look even bigger and more scary! Thankfully our gardener/handyman is here today so I got him to deal with the situation of our uninvited house guest. He found it extremely funny to tell me that it got away and is now AWOL in the dining somewhere…and when I could take it no longer, he showed me the proof that the spider was in fact on his way to the garbage. Thank goodness for that. Have a fantastic spider-free weekend too.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 14:37
We shall speak no more of this, or them, lest they hear and retaliate.
By: ChgoJohn on May 11, 2012
at 17:30
*wispers* Oh my, good thought John…
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 17:57
A beautiful creature!
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on May 11, 2012
at 15:27
He is indeed. Have a super weekend Angie.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 17:35
It may well be a homing pigeon resting. Often they get blow off course on their way to wherever and they will rest for a few days whilst getting their bearings. In NZ once we had a skyblue pigeon do exactly this, he was so big and so beautiful and like you i fell in love with him, after he had fed and rested for a few days he set off again. I wished he would have stayed. he was too too beautiful. But my Aunty raised them and said that this was normal.. Though i do not see a tag on his leg, usually they have some kind of ID. c
By: ceciliag on May 11, 2012
at 15:44
Oh Celi, I wish I could give your a great big hug right now! You have made me feel so much better about Birdy – thanks you! Pete did mention that he was sure he saw a tag under all those feathers. I begged and pleaded with Pete to bring him home to which I got “the” eyeball and the infamous line, “what about the “boys”" as Pete likes to call our fur children – they would no doubt have him for a snack! I am sure Birdy is now safely back where he should be. Have a super weekend C.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 18:01
I have no idea whether birdy is a racing pigeon or not, but birdy is very handsome. I loved the photo of it with one foot up and one on the ground best – like it was about to start dancing !
By: promenadeplantings on May 11, 2012
at 15:55
He was thoroughly enjoying strutting his/her/its stuff Claire. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 17:58
Beautiful bird – thanks for sharing with photos. We had a blackbird and a morning dove loving on each other one year – interesting to watch the two of them. I do not take in spiders either – creepy buggers. Have a Great Weekend!
By: cravesadventure on May 11, 2012
at 18:46
We should start a cyberspace arachnophobia club. A blackbird and morning dove sound like a very interesting mix. Have a super weekend too Renee.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 11, 2012
at 19:53
He is so beautiuful and looks like a very special pigeon with his little hairy boots. If he doesn´t have a tag it´s unlilkely he´s a homing pigeon but I agree with Celi, once he´s fed and rested up he´ll be on his way to rejoin the family (with happy memories of his little break with you)!
By: Chica Andaluza on May 11, 2012
at 21:36
I am so pleased that you have reaffirmed what Celi said, makes me feel so much better that he is not out there all on his own. Have a super weekend Tanya.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 12, 2012
at 14:06
He looks like a very happy camper and he is very photogenic in your lens. How are the kitties doing with this whole event?
By: Bam's Kitchen on May 12, 2012
at 15:51
Thankfully this fellow pitched at my folks home so my kitties were blissfully unaware of the visit. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 12, 2012
at 16:45
Fabulous pictures Mandy. What a beautiful bird!!! And I too have a soft spot for animals that seem to have strayed. I’ve brought one or two home over the years.
By: Kristy on May 13, 2012
at 02:02
Thanks Kristy! Besides the strays, I always say to Pete that I would like a giraffe and a squirrel to complete our family – you can just imagine the looks I get. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 13, 2012
at 10:51
What a beautiful bird. I’m sure it appreciated the kindness it received.
By: Karen on May 13, 2012
at 14:14
It certainly seems that he did Karen. I really would have loved to keep him though. Have a super week ahead.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 13, 2012
at 16:53
That is such a sweet looking bird. I am a big softy with any living creature as well. My daughter has followed in my footsteps and even shoes out spiders and insects from our home instead of smashing them. I love that you cared for him and gave him a bit of a rest before he goes on his way. You are my type of gal Mandy.
By: Geni - Sweet and Crumby on May 13, 2012
at 14:25
Geni, Birdy really is an awesome specimen of a bird – a very proud one at that. Have a super week my fellow softy.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 13, 2012
at 16:56
OOO, Mandy,
I feel the same way about animals.
She is gorgeous. I’m sure she must be a she! <3 I hope she is well and thriving… xx
By: My Inner Chick on May 14, 2012
at 04:42
Kim, I was really undecided if about the sex of this beautiful bird. Wonder how you would tell… have a beautiful week friend.
xo PS. Loved the pic of your and your Mamas pedicured toes. 
By: thecompletecookbook on May 14, 2012
at 09:31
Gosh all these foodies and not one comment about pie?!
*runs*
By: Sous Chef on May 14, 2012
at 07:16
Is it wrong that I am laughing… Have a super day Sue.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 14, 2012
at 09:31
Nope, I couldn’t resist
It’s a very cute little bird.
By: Sous Chef on May 14, 2012
at 17:19
By: thecompletecookbook on May 14, 2012
at 19:58
He’s so cute, Mandy.. I can see why you wanted to make sure he was fed and watered! I love finding wildlife in my yard!
By: Just A Smidgen on May 14, 2012
at 23:07
We always seem to attract animals of all kinds – much more fun now that I have a real camera to photograph them with. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on May 15, 2012
at 11:51
Good thing you didnt take him home Mands otherwise he would have become Birdy num-nums for your three, especially that hooligan Redeye! Love the toe shot.
By: moi du toi photography on May 19, 2012
at 15:37
Must say M, my two little furry islanders have become quite accustomed to the routine of asking for their breakies and dins! Tree has clearly taught them well – why go out and find your own food when you can get your human to give it to you on demand!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on May 21, 2012
at 09:20