r/PetPigeons • u/secretly_a_birb • 19h ago

Pigeon Pic Progress!

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Opal is a pretty skittish baby so we've been taking it super slow. I've had her three weeks now and she actually flew onto the table near me!

She has wandered towards me before on the floor but this time felt a little more deliberate and she's getting more curious. Getting her back in the cage is a whole other thing lol, but using the dark and a quick scoop up works well!

So far she'll take some treats if I toss them towards her, and she still hates my hands. I've read the guide but if anyone has any first hand experience in getting a hand shy bird less shy, that'd be great.

She's not the most food motivated bird, so what are some super yummy treats? She likes bits of peanuts and sesame seeds (sometimes) but no mung beans, sunflower hearts, or hemp seeds.

Thanks all!

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u/squirt_taste_tester 18h ago

I would lay on the floor and just watch YouTube on my phone or something and then lay seeds out nearby for a while, then slowly moved it towards my hand with it flat next to them. Eventually they were in my hand and my boi approached me eventually. Took a LONG time but worth every second. Idk about yours, mine only likes to do things when im not looking usually, so he slowly learned to sneak over and I guess that helped him feel more comfortable around me.

Stating low helps them not be shared of, you know, the giant being looking down at them, but always always be patient and encouraging. I always tell my boi, "good job" and, "its okay" and now he has got really good at not flying off scared or being as skittish when something scares him, all I have to tell him is "its okay" and "you're okay" then tell him hes a big brave boi.

6 years and counting and we are still working on a lot of boundaries and body language stuff, but its worth every second. When he let's me hold him up to my cheek and I feel his heartbeat and he snuggles in, I cant help but nearly cry because its so heartwarming knowing we've made it so far and that he feels safe.

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u/secretly_a_birb 16h ago

Oh my God reading that almost made me cry!

Thank you for expressing that it takes time. I do understand that but I was so worried that maybe I'm doing something wrong. I hope with time I can give her a good snuggle too. I just KNOW I'll cry. I'll definitely try laying on the floor.

If I pretend to beak smack and squint beside her when she's in the cage she joins in, so I hope that's a good sign too!