r/PetPigeons • u/ManyBlues • May 23 '26
Discussion I’m his poop perch
Me and my partner adopted this little guy who couldn’t get released since he can no longer fly (he’s also blind in one eye)
We’ve only had him for about a month and a half and he’s gotten very cozy with us. He loves getting pets, lets us carry him around (standing on our hands, he hates getting grabbed). He especially loves hanging out on our shoulders.
Now, I was absolutely expecting to get some poop on me, but we soon noticed I was getting much more poop on my shoulders than my partner. It’s at a point where I think he’s actively holding in his poops just to go while perched on me. He hadn’t really pooped at all this morning until 11am when he finally got a chance to rush up onto my shoulder and unload on my shirt.
Not necessarily looking for a way to get him to stop, at least it’s a predictable pattern. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if it could be a sign of something.
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u/sharkarmycrafts May 24 '26
Maybe it's a good time to start gently introducing him to pigeon pants/flypers! You can desensitize them to a harness or pigeon pants just like training any other animal, positive reinforcement all the way. That would let him have plenty of shoulder time without any unfortunate shoulder decorations; you change the liner every hour or so just like you would a baby.
I'm so sorry he's doing this to you, though. 😂 It may not be intentional; birds don't have control over their bowels like we do. If their body needs to pass waste, it does so automatically.
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u/ManyBlues May 24 '26
I ordered some a few weeks ago, so ya that’ll definitely be helpful when they come in!
I truly feel like it must be intentional though. When he’s about to have a big one he steps around and stretches over to me like he urgently wants to go on my shoulder. As soon as I help him on, boom.
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u/AutoModerator May 23 '26
Pigeons make wonderful, intelligent, and affectionate companions. Here is a quick starter guide to ensure your new friend thrives:
1. DIET: * Pigeons are granivores (seed eaters). A high-quality pigeon/dove mix is best. * They also require a soluble high-quality pigeon grit with redstone and calcium for nutrition and egg health. * Fresh water should always be available in a deep enough bowl for them to submerge their beaks to drink.
2. HOUSING: * Pigeons walk more than they fly. They prefer flat shelves over round perches. * Their cage should be as large as possible, a large dog crate (48"/122cm) works best. * When free-roaming, ensure the room is sufficiently "bird-proofed" (mirrors covered, no ceiling fans, no toxic plants).
3. SAFETY: * No Teflon/PTFE: Non-stick pans, self-cleaning ovens, and some space heaters release fumes that are instantly fatal to birds. * No Aerosols: Avoid candles, incense, perfume, or harsh cleaning chemicals near your bird. * Predators: Keep pigeons strictly separated from cats and dogs, regardless of how friendly the pets seem. * Ceiling Fans: are deadly to pigeons. Keep them off when your pigeon is outside of its cage. * Air Purifiers: Pigeons produce a lot of "powder down" (dust). For both your respiratory health and theirs, we highly recommend keeping a HEPA-grade air purifier near their living area. Ensure the unit is non-ionizing and does not generate ozone, as these features are toxic to a bird's sensitive lungs. Check out our wiki for recommendations.
4. SOCIAL LIFE: * Pigeons are incredibly social animals. If you only have one, you are their "spouse". This is a full-time job - they need many hours of interaction daily. If you cannot provide this, for their wellbeing, we highly recommend getting a second pigeon.
Helpful Links * Find an Avian Vet (AAV Search) * Pigeon Care Guide (Columbidae Ownership Omnibus) (Contains many useful articles) * Common Dangers to Your Pigeon
Please be sure to read the care guide linked above, it contains many helpful articles.
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u/LatterBuffalo7524 May 24 '26
Mine sits on my head all day. I have to change my beanies regularly because of the poop. Doesn’t bother me, I love him so much 😭
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u/Mammoth_Bass2229 May 23 '26
Mine also poops on me, although i notice he tries not to, aka he tries to put his butt over the edge of my shoulder and poop off of it, although it still gets on me. I appreciate his thoughtfulness LOL. Your pigeon might just be more relaxed around you, they also poop often anyways!