Racing pigeons can sometimes become ‘lost’ or disorientated. They may come down to find food and water or to rest before continuing on their way.
In a
nutshell
If you find a tired racing pigeon
• please give
water and food for a day or 2 at the most
• only contain it if the pigeon is injured or at risk from a predator
• try to
release it after a day or two
• only report it to us
if it will not clear and it is contained
• only report to us if it
has a GB ring
Should I feed it…?
The
majority of birds that are found are perfectly capable of finding their
way home, they just need a little time to recover before they continue.
If you can provide water, preferably in a deep dish and a little food;
uncooked rice, maize (popcorn) or lentils are good food substitutes.
Wild bird seed is perfectly acceptable. Please do not give the pigeon
bread as it is not good for them.
Only feed for a couple of days at
most or it will think you are its new mum and dad!
A
tired bird will need protection from predators such as cats or foxes;
if you can get the bird contained in a cardboard box or a pet basket
that will be fine.
After 24 to 48 hours rest it should be ready to
continue its journey home. Please release the bird in a clear area,
away from wires or other obstacles.
There is no need to report the
event.
Should
a pigeon not clear the area or if you find a sick or injured racer then
the owner can be traced through the ring number that the bird carries.
Rings issued by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association follow the pattern
GB 05 X 12345 – with any year date serial letter etc. If you submit the
ring number
on the form below we will reply with details of the owner;
usually on the next working day. We would then ask you to make contact
with the owner for further
advice with regards to the bird. If you are
confident enough to handle the pigeon you may find the owner’s
telephone number stamped on one of the wing
feathers or the pigeon may
have a name and address ring on its leg.
If the owner is not contactable by telephone then we will either write to them by first class post, copied to you or try to find someone locally to assist.
Once
you have reported the bird by email please do not telephone.
We will get back to you during the next working day.
For your
information our office hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm excluding
bank holidays.
Please note
that we DO NOT keep records of birds from other
British unions.
If you find a pigeon that has NEHU, SHU, WHU, NWHU or IHU
etc on the ring, please contact that organisation directly from the
list below.
Please DO
NOT report birds that are NOT
contained; the majority will clear of their own accord.
It is not
unusual for a pigeon to stay around for a number of days before it
continues its journey.
So,
in a nutshell
If you find a tired racing pigeon
• please give water and food
• only contain it if the pigeon is injured or at risk from a predator
• try to release it after a day or two
• only report it to us
if it will not clear and it is contained
• only report to us if
it has a GB ring
Thank you for your assistance and interest. With your help we are confident that the pigeon will continue its journey home.
The
following is a list of the main racing associations or unions
within the United Kingdom where stray birds can be reported, the
organisation
being identified by the prefix of the ring number.
GB - The Royal Pigeon Racing Association, The Reddings, Nr Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6RN. Telephone 01452 713529
NEHU - North of England Homing Union, 58, Ennerdale Road, Walker Dene, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 4DG. Telephone 0191 262 5440. Email NEHU Stray Birds
NWHU - North West Homing Union, Mr T Dawber, 270
Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, Wigan WN6 9RN Tel: 01257 421271.
Mon 4pm - 8 pm, Tues 5pm - 7pm, Wed 10am - 1pm, Thur 10am - 1pm, Fri
1pm - 3pm.
SU - Scottish Homing Union, 231A, Low Waters Road, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, ML3 7QN. Telephone 01698 286983.
WHPU
- Welsh Homing Pigeon Union, Old Timothy's Yard, Llanfoist Street, Ton
Pentre, Rhondda CF41 7EE tel/fax 01443
441010
Email: gail@whpu.org.uk
IHU -
Irish Homing Union, K. McConaghie, 38 Ballynahatty Road,
Belfast, BT8 8LE. Tel: 028 9064 4231.
Serial letter 'N' rings to be reported to J. Hughes, 44 Ashbourne Park,
Lambeg, Lisburn. BT27 4NS.
Serial letter 'S' rings to be reported to S. Lehane, 69 Lorcan
Crescent, Santry, Dublin 9, Eire. Tel: 00353 1421391