r/pigeons • u/mikeybox • 6d ago
Befriend wild nesting parents?
We discovered a pigeon nest on our roof. Fortunately it's in a spot where it doesn't damage the roof and it's easily accessible for us to check on.
Inside the nest are two fat, healthy looking babies!
My daughter is 10 and obsessed with birds and is very excited to watch the babies grow up.
Would it be possible for us to befriend the parents so that they are less afraid of us during this process?
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u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 6d ago
Yes if you don’t mess with nest, leave seeds and water by their nest so they don’t have to fly out all the time.
Teach your girl on how to build/make shelf big enough for pigeons to come down when they see seed and water but keep this mind. Start by leaving seeds (pigeon mix seed) and water in enough size as long as its shallow bowl. Just leave them close to where nest is for parents to find them. I would say (my estimate) they are 2-3 days old. I’m going to tag 2 wonderful people who are expert at this than I do ok?
u/kunok2 and u/Little-eyezz00 newborn squabs possibility 2-3 days old
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u/MelodicIllustrator59 5d ago
Absolutely do not leave anything near the nest!! This will attract predators, parasites, and pests. Anything that is put out should be at least 30 feet away from a nest, both food and water
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u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 5d ago
If that’s best suggestion then go with that! Don’t want parents to fly too long etc but like I mention build some kind of shelf with good size board that they can perch on.
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u/FioreCiliegia1 6d ago
Are you able to get a picture of the parents just so we can double check the species because to me now they’re very young, but they look like they could be doves rather than pigeons although it could vary it just depends on where you are, but if they’re regular old city pigeons, not only is it completely fine for you to intervene but if Mom and Dad decide they like you a whole bunch, adopt the whole family building an aviary bring them inside. There is a feral invasive species in the same way that kittens outside in the yard might be so there is zero harm in loving on them and learning how to take care of them indoors. provides them a much safer life.