Exotic feral pigeon

[Sid See]

I feed daily, a flock of feral pigeons and a colony of
(neutered) feral cats. Over the years I have rescued 10
or more squabs that have been blown out of their nests
on windy days. Usually I get to them before the cats do,
so as a result, and with a little care, they were all able
to mature and return to the wild.

Recently, while looking out my back window I observed
a white squab trying to escape from a cat... it ended up
in the spa. Fortunately, my intervention scared the cat
away. It did suffer some superficial damage to its neck,
but it is ok now. It shed some feathers in the wound area
but they are are all growing back and it's now almost old
enough to be released.

I've never seen a pigeon like this one ever... it's all white
except for gray bands on its wings and tail. It has a crest
on its head, long feathers growing on its feet, and its
beak looks more like that of a bluejay. It also has rather
large dark eyes. A truly beautiful bird.

A search on the internet suggests it may be a swallow
pigeon. Upon closer scrutiny, I now occasionally observe
a small flock of around six to seven birds that look like
white pigeons flying in the area.

Any suggestions as to what breed it may be? Incidentally,
I live in central Arizona.

Sid

[Man-wai Chang ToDie (33.6k)]

> I feed daily, a flock of feral pigeons and a colony of
> (neutered) feral cats. Over the years I have rescued 10
> or more squabs that have been blown out of their nests
> on windy days. Usually I get to them before the cats do,
> so as a result, and with a little care, they were all able
> to mature and return to the wild.

I am feeding some wild tree sparrows at a pier near my home
every Sunday. They seem to remember the act if not me. :)

> I've never seen a pigeon like this one ever... it's all white
> except for gray bands on its wings and tail. It has a crest
> on its head, long feathers growing on its feet, and its
> beak looks more like that of a bluejay. It also has rather
> large dark eyes. A truly beautiful bird.

Why not attach a small picture :)

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