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Lost and Found Birds

Sometimes pigeons become disoriented when racing or are overcome by adverse weather conditions. When this happens they may enter other fanciers' lofts or may land in your backyard looking for food and shelter.

Racing birds will have an identification ring on one leg and usually a rubber racing band on the other leg. On the identification band will be letters and numbers like CU 2007 MIRC 100. The CU means Canadian Union, 2007 is the year of hatching, MIRC is the club (In this case Mid Island Race Club), and 100 is a number in the series of bands for that year.

It is important when reporting a lost bird to give all the band information, then the owner can be traced. I am always pleased to help trace the owner of a lost bird so don't hesitate to contact me if you want information. Email me at laurholb@telus.net.

"Lost and Found Birds" has attracted a lot of enquiries. The owners of about a dozen birds within British Columbia have been traced and put in touch with the finders of the birds.

In addition there was an e-mail from Kent in south-east England asking for help and that was successfully dealt with. The bird in question was from Northern Ireland.

A wildlife rehabilitator from Westchester County, New York found a banded bird wandering down a highway and contacted us. We gave her the phone number and Web address of the International Federation in the U.S. and once again the owner was found.

I have also helped locate the owners of at least two birds in Australia.

Here in British Columbia, the Capital City Club of Victoria has a phone number right on the band and that is a big help. I think in Britain the birds have to be stamped on the wing with the owner's information.

All this activity is time consuming but well worth it. People who take the trouble to report lost pigeons seem to be the nicest people. Without the power of the Internet all this could not be done.

Interested in racing pigeons, pigeon racing, homing pigeons, raising pigeons, facts about pigeons, carrier pigeons, passenger pigeons, lost birds, lost pigeons, pigeon breeding, pigeon breeds, pigeon lofts, rolling pigeons, fantail pigeons, tumbler pigeons, pigeon facts, pigeon breeders, pigeon coops, pigeons for sale?

Email me at laurholb@telus.net.