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Facts about pigeons

• Pigeons are incredibly complex and intelligent animals. They are one of only a small number of species to pass the ‘mirror test’ – a test of self recognition. They can also recognise each letter of the human alphabet, differentiate between photographs, and even distinguish different humans within a photograph. 
• Pigeons are renowned for their outstanding navigational abilities. They use a range of skills, such as using the sun as a guide and an internal ‘magnetic compass’. A study at Oxford University found that they will also use landmarks as signposts and will travel along man-made roads and motorways, even changing direction at junctions.
• Pigeons are highly sociable animals. They will often be seen in flocks of 20-30 birds. 
• Pigeons mate for life, and tend to raise two chicks at the same time.
• Both female and male pigeons share responsibility of caring for and raising young. Both sexes take turn incubating the eggs and both feed the chicks ‘pigeon milk’ – a special secretion from the lining of the crop which both sexes produce.
• Pigeons have excellent hearing abilities. They can detect sounds at far lower frequencies than humans are able to, and can thus hear distant storms and volcanoes. 
• Despite the social perception as dirty and disease-ridden, pigeons are actually very clean animals and there is very little evidence to suggest that they are significant transmitters of disease.
• Pigeons and humans have lived in close proximity for thousands of years. The first recordings of this date back to Mesopotamis, modern Iraq, in 3000bc.
• Although pigeon droppings are seen by some as a problem in modern society, a few centuries ago pigeon guano was seen as extremely valuable. It was viewed as the best available fertiliser and armed guards would even stand by dovecotes (pigeon houses) to stop others taking the droppings.
• Pigeons can fly at altitudes up to and beyond 6000 feet, and at an average speed of 77.6 mph. The fastest recorded speed is 92.5 mph.
• Pigeons are fed by many members of different religions including Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs for spiritual reasons. Some older Sikhs will ceremoniously feed them in honour of Guru Gobind Singh, a high priest who was renowned as a friend to pigeons.

Photos

White Pigeon

PIGEON FLIES

Have you ever seen a row of holes on a pigeon's flight feather? These are caused by a special type of fly called Pseudolynchia canariensis. The adults live on the body of the bird, scurrying between the feathers. They are blood suckers, with their bites causing pain, irritation and restlessness. They will insert their feeding tube into a blood-filled growing feather follicle to feed. As this feather unfurls, the tunnel created by the feeding tube unravels into a series of holes. 

The flies lay their eggs on accumulated pigeon droppings and their maggots develop here. Fly numbers are highest during the warmer months when the birds are breeding when they can bite nestlings and breed in the droppings around nest bowls. Interestingly, the saliva of the adult flies gives the nestlings diarrhoea, which makes it easier for the maggots to survive.

Treatment
On-going hygiene and efficient disposal of droppings (remembering that accumulated droppings below a grid floor or piled in the garden near the loft can serve as breeding grounds) will do much to control the problem. However if necessary, any flies on the birds can be killed by either spraying the birds with Permethrin or treating them with a 24-hour course of Moxidectin. Coupling this with spraying the loft with Permethrin, particularly before breeding, will solve the problem.

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Pigeon Diseases

Pigeons have a very receptive nature. They are easily affected by ailments. Commonly, pigeon diseases are result of inadequate care. Bacterial diseases are mostly contracted by eating infected food, stings, bites, wounds or inhalation. Viral diseases arise from infected drinking water, sneeze from a sick bird or other airborne contact. Fungal diseases are spread by wind, water or contact. Protozoa are often carried by parent birds and are passed to their youngsters by mouth. When birds ingest worms or contact with birds carrying on them some stage of parasite, parasitic diseases occur. Some diseases bother pigeons because of vitamin or mineral deficiency. There is plethora of pigeon diseases. Out of them, some of the common ones are mentioned here. For details read the following account.
Pigeon Disease
Colds: Pigeons catch colds as in case of human beings. Major cause of colds is dampness in the loft.
Diarrhea: Generally this health problem occurs after your pigeon has eaten sour or moldy or unseasoned grain. Eliminate any grain that you don’t consider perfect. Feed small grains and corn to your pigeon till its health is improved.
Going Light: The flesh of the pigeon’s body gets waste away with this disease. The pigeon looks sick and catches diarrhea. The latter disease is a symptom of another problem. In this case feed your pigeon with warm milk with bread or meal in the intervening time.
Canker: This protozoan infection is very common in pigeons. Adult birds easily catch it but mostly in the next the squabs are struck by it. Lesions in the mouth or throat with a yellowish white substance confirm its presence.
Roup: If pigeons are exposed to dampness or drafts during winters, occurrence of roup can be inevitable. Its symptoms are like cold. Nasal discharge clogs the nostrils. Isolate the infected pigeon at the earliest; sterilize the loft and all utensils.
Pneumonia: If throat of your pigeon is parched and is having difficulty in breathing, it may have fever or it may look sick. This could be pneumonia. Keep the area warm and drafts away from them.
Egg Binding: Sometimes a hen faces problems in passing an egg. This problem can be solved if you bathe the vent with some warm water and put some warm olive oil on it, the egg will pass on out easily.
Malaria: It is attacked by protozoa in pigeons. The protozoa target the red blood cells of pigeons. The symptoms of this disease are blurred. This disease is not easily treated. To prevent this disease provide clean food and water to your pigeon. Keep the cage of your pigeon clean and tidy.
Coccidiosis: This pigeon disease is one of the extremely infectious diseases. Mostly it is caused due to protozoan. Young pigeons subjected to scrupulous stress are the targets of these protozoa. This disease can be identified by inactivity, loss of weight and low diet. This disease can lead to death, thus, should be cured at the earliest.
Pigeon Pox: This is a viral disease which attacks the skin and / or mucous membrane.
Other pigeon diseases are ornithosis, encephalomylitis, paramyxovirus, aspergillosis, thrush etc.
Treatment:
Keep the birds warm and administer cod liver oil. Consult your feed store to make breathing easier and curing roup. Treat pneumonia with antibiotics. For diarrhea, give a dose of castor oil or Epsom salts to clear out the bird’s system. Always consult a veterinarian when your pigeon suffers of an ailment. Never try to cure a pigeon at your own.
Prevention:

• Keep pigeon lofts clean and dry.
• Feed clean and fresh water and food.
• Vaccine them against pox.
• Treat cuts and abrasions of pigeon immediately.

For preventing your pigeon from certain diseases it is essential for you to monitor pigeon activities daily. It will definitely help you to maintain your pigeon’s health. Care nicely and consult veterinary once in every three months. Thus, you can keep your pigeon free from pigeon disease and the troublesome experiences. Source:www.petcaregt.com 

White pigeon care tips

• White pigeon food: White pigeons like to be fed on commercial white pigeon food. One can also feed fruits like – berries, apple and pear to their pigeon. Vegetables such as – lettuce, endive, chickweed, clover, watercress and spinach are highly nutritious food fro your white pigeon. For smaller white pigeon you can use a budgie, millet spray or canary mix. One can also serve pellets and seeds to their white pigeon. Seeds such as - barley, linseed, sunflower, safflower, corn, green peas and canary seeds are highly admired by white pigeons.
• Supplements for white pigeon: Supplements such as – vitamins, calcium, grit and gravel are essential for white pigeon. It is significant for one to provide proper supplements to their white pigeon.
• Fresh water for white pigeon: It is significant for one to provide fresh water daily to their pigeon. One should regularly change the water of their pigeon in order to avoid bacterial growth.
• Housing for white pigeon: It is significant for one to provide proper housing to their pet. The size of white pigeon house should be according to its size so that your pigeon can fit in comfortably. White pigeons love to fly so it should be spacious enough so that they can fly easily.

Basic guidelines to be followed by white pigeon owners:

• One should avoid over exposure of their white pigeons to dust.
• Pigeons love to have commercial white pigeon food. One can also serve grains and grit to their white pigeon. It is important for one to provide balanced diet to their white pigeon in order to make them flourish.
• Grant some time alone to the white pigeons for relaxing.
• Show them love and affection as it will help them to stay healthy.
• Regular visit of white pigeon to veterinary is advised.
• The white pigeon cage should be properly maintained and clean.
• One should groom their bird regularly in order to avoid bacterial growth.

The above mentioned guideline and tips will definitely make your pet experience pleasure. A white pigeon needs to be taken perfect care and they should be taken to a vet in case of an emergency.
 Source:www.petcaregt.com

White Pigeons

White pigeons are quite admired by people because of their dazzling looks. The advantage of keeping white pigeons as a pet is that they will surely come back if you let them fly free. The physical appearance of white Pigeon is somehow like a dove of peace. White pigeon have a subtle appeal due to their special characteristics. They have beautiful voice; this is also one of the reasons for their admiration.
One can find white pigeon throughout the world except in the Polar Regions. The white pigeon comes in a vast array of sizes and generally, their life span is 10 to 12 years. People like to build little houses for their pet white pigeon in their backyard or on rooftops. Some people use white pigeons for wedding releases. One should follow certain white pigeon care tips in order to make them feel comfortable and secure.

Source:www.petcaregt.com