Hand-raised pigeons,
trained to trust you.

Pigeons are granivores. Seed or pellet mix both work fine, mine are trained to eat both so they're not picky. No corn is preferred for indoor pets. (Low corn is fine) Corn is recommended for birds outside in the winter.

• Best Recommendation for Arizona: Pratt's Pets - Glendale, $40 for 50 pounds (They also sell grit)
• Seed mix: Etsy listing, $24 for 5 pounds
• Grit: Amazon listing
• Pellet mix: Mazuri Checkers, Chewy, $35 for 50 pounds

Other options available on Amazon or at local pet stores with a bird section. If in a rush, anything that says pigeon or dove works. Keep grit available at all times, it helps digestion. I don't feed treats, since it can make birds picky.

A 50 pound bag of food will last one pigeon close to 2 years so this makes pigeons very low cost.

Pigeons bond with humans very well and will love hanging out with you while you do literally anything. They do not cuddle in the way dogs do, but they do enjoy light scratching around the neck area. The body is more reserved for "mates" but your pigeon will naturally mate with you regardless, so it's fine to do it. Your bird will want to follow you everywhere and either sit on you, or sit on something near you. My birds are trained to enjoy shoulders.

Your pigeon will be very tame so it will fall asleep on you frequently. Some birds sit and lay down on you, some sleep standing up, some sleep on one leg. This one leg helps them stabilize better for a deeper sleep.

Once your bird starts to hit puberty the squeaks turn more into honks and they will start practicing cooing at you, or they may start cooing at somebody you know, maybe even plush animals. I explain this more in the Q&A.

Pigeons prefer wide enclosures over tall ones. Dog crates work well. I like ones with a slide-out bottom tray for easy cleaning.

I get cages from Facebook Marketplace or Nellis Auction for around 20-30 bucks.

For water, use a poultry-style waterer so they can't bathe in it (search "pigeon waterer" on Amazon). I keep one in the cage and then will give water after feeding. You'll see them "pant" if they're hot or thirsty, but this generally only happens when they're outside or after flying a lot.

All my pigeons are also trained to enjoy little pet houses like this one, but they'll find their own places to enjoy in your home with you too, so don't worry too much. They love sitting on things while still being next to you (or next to where they're fed).

Pigeons love sitting on couches, chairs and monitors. You can reinforce where you want them to hang out by feeding them when they go there, or simply put them there and feed them. They are great at association and learning new things.

My birds are diaper-trained, so cleanup is minimal. Pigeon poop is easy to clean and doesn't smell or stain nearly as much as people expect.

• FanzyPants: around $43 plus shipping, customizable with measurements and name
• PigeonPants: around $33 for one, $51 for two, free shipping
• Budget option on Amazon: $10 to $15, what I mostly use while birds are still growing (measure with a flexible tape, I go with Large for bigger birds)

I usually leave a diaper on for 4 to 8 hours depending on the bird, some poop more than others. Test at the 4-hour mark to see how full it is, you can always swap in a fresh one. It is safe to trim vent feathers to help with poopy butts.

I take the diaper off when I put them in the cage for the night, in the morning I just brush the dried poop off, no need for liners imo. Once the diaper gets too dirty I just throw it in the washer and dryer to clean it. Very easy.

I recommend not feeding them to full with a diaper on as they'll poop more. My trick is to do most of the feeding before the diaper comes off so they'll poop in the cage.

These birds are very well trained. I have left them unsupervised with diapers while I leave the house and nothing has ever happened. Just use common sense and don't leave them in a room with ceiling fans on.

Most of my pigeons come with a split aluminum band ($5 on Etsy) with my phone number on it. For safety reasons I keep the band on when the bird goes to a new home so you have time to order your own if you want. They're split bands, easy to get off and on with pliers. Since the birds are very well trained, if one got lost it would just land on another human, who'd see the number and call.

Pigeons kind of decide what toys they like sometimes. They love forage toys, things that are stringy or that they can dig in, with varying colors. You can also try plush toys (they'll mate with them sometimes). Try some tiny balls like cat toys or just anything you think would be fun for a little pigeon.

Bonus tip: sprinkle some seeds in the toy to encourage interaction.

Baths are pretty simple. Give them something wide like a tin pan and fill it up. After you take the diaper off you can try placing them in it and splashing the water with your hand, pouring water on them, etc. When they are really happy they'll lift up one wing to the sky while laying down.

You can also try taking your pigeon into the shower with you. I do this with some of them. Mess around and spend time with your bird and see what they like!

An air purifier is highly recommended, as pigeons are quite dusty. You can get one for cheap on Facebook Marketplace or just buy one from a place like Amazon or Costco.

I would not personally recommend keeping more than two birds indoors, and I recommend keeping them in a separate room from where you sleep.

It is perfectly fine to keep your bird outdoors and then diaper and bring them indoors during the day! I have several customers that do this, and some are quite spoiled with their huge outdoor aviary.

A month or two after getting your bird (assuming you got one still squeaking) I recommend measuring your bird for a custom fit diaper. You use a soft measuring tape and give the dimensions that the diaper maker asks for. If you tend to leave your bird's diaper on for more than 4 hours a day, I recommend asking for a bigger poop pouch. I know FanzyPants does this, unsure about others.

You can also measure when you get a bird and do this immediately, I just personally use the cheaper Amazon diapers while they are growing. They don't become full grown til about 6 months though. My birds are typically sold around 6 weeks.

The bird is new to you and has been learning to fly to me, so spend the first couple days building recall to yourself. I use a salt shaker for this, and the bird already knows the cue. Make your sound (clucking, "come here," whatever you pick), then shake it and reward the bird.

• Reward in small amounts if you're going to do it a lot, big amounts if they did good or you only want to practice a couple times
• I recommend feeding on your shoulder too, pigeons are very good with association, so wherever you feed becomes a place they want to be
• Sprinkle a little seed wherever you want them to nest. We make crochet nests too, available for an extra $20 if that interests you
• Feed right after putting the diaper on so they associate it with something good
• Birds don't naturally like being grabbed, so reinforce it with food afterward
• Hand-feed daily to keep them tame, I include a feeding container and starter food with each bird
• Feed little by little throughout the day rather than all at once, that way you can constantly reward them
• If a bird stops listening to recall it just means they're full

My birds are trained to free fly, which helps build their confidence and trust in humans. That said, I don't recommend it. My goal isn't to hand you a free-flight pigeon, it's to give you a trained, calm pet. You're welcome to keep training outside if you want, but understand the risk. In 6 years I've never lost a bird to a predator or to flying off, thanks to extensive training and never flying when I see predator birds in the sky. Personally, I'd recommend a leash and walks instead.

Only free-fly a hungry bird, training works through food rewards, not a full stomach. Bring water and grit along for afterward, grit especially helps stop them from pecking at rocks on the ground. And use common sense, don't free-fly anywhere you see hawks or falcons.

Diapers with a leash attachment are available if you want extra safety. My birds do great on a leash thanks to their training and recall, so if they try to jump down they don't panic. I use a leash in crowded public spots like festivals, since a flying bird can startle people who aren't expecting it. I prefer training at parks with fewer people around. If your bird jumps off while leashed, just set them back on your shoulder, it's safe. For leash time I actually recommend a full bird instead, offer grit and water and they'll be more relaxed. It's a great way to bond with your bird.

If you have no interest in free-flying, that's completely fine. These birds make excellent house pets and will fly to you indoors all the time regardless. It's a risk you take by taking a bird outside, I can't guarantee everything goes perfectly. I guarantee you a trained and relaxed bird.

I cannot express it enough but there is a balance with free flying. If a bird is too full, they don't care and might fly off. If a bird is too hungry, they could also fly off to find their own food.

For example when people race pigeons (homing) they won't feed them for a day because they are more willing to find their way home when hungry. If they feed the bird and then try to take them somewhere, they'll get lost before they make it home. Think of it like we are that "home" for a pigeon.

Since these birds are very well trained they tend to not get spooked and fly off because they find comfort in being with us so it's a little bit different. To minimize risk and be safe just read the leash section, but if you have any questions about free flying feel free to ask me.

I like to keep my floor clean of seeds (easy to do with the handheld container I give you) because it reinforces the bird coming to you. Pigeons naturally forage so they will walk around and clean up a bit for you anyways.

You may see me throw my birds in videos like a boomerang. This basically teaches them that when they fly off, they get rewarded for coming back. So if they do decide to go fly a bit, they know to come back for food. I do this primarily when it comes to recalling for free fly, but feel free to experiment with setting your bird places in your house and recalling them! Around corners, different elevations (those are usually tricky if you have stairs), etc. Have some fun with it because you'll never find any other bird like this, I promise!

Yes, it is very common to ship pigeons, it is done through USPS using a specially designed box. I know it sounds scary and traumatic to ship a live animal, but since my birds are so well trained they stay pretty calm through the journey which means they conserve energy and food. Message me your zip code for the exact shipping quote (usually around $50). It is safer than you think!

Here's what happens:

1. Bird is shipped Monday/Tuesday
2. Bird goes to a distribution center
3. Then goes to FedEx to fly on a plane to reach the distribution center near you
4. USPS picks up from there and then contacts you to come get them

They are shipped Monday/Tuesday to avoid any delays or issues from weekends (avoiding holidays), they are fed a large meal before shipping and are very hydrated. They will sleep pretty much the entire journey with a little seeds in the box for when they decide to wake up and eat a little. 2 days is average but sometimes it will be 3 days for long journeys. It's ok!

In the box there's hydration gel for them to eat to get water, with seeds on top, so they actually do get shipped with food and water. It's safe and the only real issue is delays, which is why shipping dates are particular.

Pigeons are much sturdier than you think, they do great when shipped and I wouldn't worry. I will choose the shipping week based on temperatures and holidays primarily.

When you get your bird home the poops will be green, that's normal. Just offer your bird food and water, this is a great time to work on handfeeding and recalling to you while they settle in. By the next day, your bird will probably start laying down with you and becoming super friendly. Make sure to feed them well for a couple days.

Pigeons live about 3 to 5 years in the wild but can live 15-25 years domesticated. They go through puberty around 2 months old and reach sexual maturity around 6 months which is when female pigeons lay eggs. (Yes, you can eat them!)

I currently have two pairs: Old German Owl and Birmingham Rollers. I am waiting on a Fantail and a Classic Frill pair.

Other than that, I get most of my birds from breeders that take VERY good care of their birds and love them. Most are members of the Arizona Pigeon Club and care deeply about pigeons. They spend a lot of money to make sure they are well taken care of and healthy.

I have a good relationship with several breeders all over the state so they will sell them to me at a low cost, as they trust that their bird will find a good home with me. This allows me to keep the cost of pet pigeons down for you as the only thing I am charging for is my time when it comes to hand raising and training (plus all the driving I do...) which is why my birds are so cheap compared to hand raised parrots such as conures and macaws ($800-$2k).

Whether all this is ethical is up to you. I believe these pigeons bring joy and comfort and find loving homes which is much more ethical than the way most animals are bred and raised.

For comparison, a pigeon from a hatchery like Stromberg's runs around $300 shipped, and that bird could be anywhere from 3 to 18 months old and untamed.

You're paying that much for an adult bird with no hand-raising or training behind it. I think $200 for a fully hand-raised, trained, socialized bird is a good deal, especially compared to parrots, which are far less domesticated and still sell for thousands. I hand-feed multiple times a day and spend real time with each bird. There isn't really anyone you'll find offering what I am. Please understand it is very time consuming to house a bunch of pigeons, feed, clean AND train them to be perfect like this for such a low cost.

One is totally fine if you spend time with it, they're hand-raised and bond naturally to humans. They also do well with a second pigeon for company, though whether they end up "pairing" depends on the individual birds. I haven't noticed much behavioral difference between owners keeping 1, 2, or 3. They're all pretty chill and social either way, since they grow up socializing with other pigeons already.

You can't tell until they lay an egg (around 6 months) or you DNA test a feather. For a $50 deposit I will DNA test a batch of 3. If none turn out to be the gender you want, I'll pay the extra to test another batch of 3. This may take some time as I'll need 3 available birds at once. Hand-raised pigeons show behaviors from both sexes, so you can't go by behavior. There's no real difference as a pet unless you plan to breed. If you end up with a female who lays eggs, you'll want "fake eggs" on hand. I can sometimes guess their gender based on pelvic bones but I can't be 100%.

Pigeons bond to humans as mates, so after 2 months old they will try to "mate" with you. It just means they like you, think of it as a horny-teenager phase that gets better with time. Their bites feel more like a pinch and their noise isn't nearly as loud or startling as a parrot's. This just means they really like you.

My birds are usually sold before this phase kicks in. At sale age they're still squeaking, just starting to coo possibly, so you get to experience the stages yourself!

I recommend not petting them on the body when on your shoulder, as this is considered sexual behavior and it gets them more excited. I don't personally like for them to get too excited while next to my face. However, a little cooing and biting at the hand is ok.

It is ok to pet them though, so don't be worried about that! They are just horny birds. Having a second bird can help them take it out on each other and not mate with you as much. It's one of the cute and funny parts of having a pet pigeon.

Your bird may "hump" you, especially if kept solo. They'll basically get on your hand or another body part (maybe an object or toy) to squat and flap their wings for about 15 seconds, then move on. It's not super common, and you can stop them if it makes you uncomfortable.

I believe that breed does not matter when it comes to a domesticated pet pigeon. My birds are very well trained. People who say breed matters are people who don't train their birds. All pigeons are pretty much the same, they just look different so pick what you think is pretty.

If you have requests I can do my best to find what you are looking for with my connections.

1. Owls: Usually have a "crest" at their head and a "bowtie" at their chest to look fancy. They are bred to have small beaks and are usually white with color on their wings. German owls are very common, Old German Owls are bred to have bigger beaks.

2. Frills: Similar to Owls as in being fancy, usually lack the "bowtie". These come with feathered legs and a little on the feet. Wing coloring tends to be different. They cannot raise babies due to small beaks so they need different breed parents which makes them much more rare.

3. Rollers: These come in all sorts of colors, they are bred to "roll" as they fly. My pigeons don't really do it when raised to be pets so it doesn't matter. They usually don't have any "fancy" features.

4. Tumblers: Similar to Rollers but they tumble. These usually involve more feathered legs, feet and a crest. Like with Rollers, there's so many types of Tumblers.

5. Fantails: These are fancy pigeons that basically have a fan as a tail so they look very exotic. They don't fly that well as their tail makes it hard. When they do, it's almost like a tornado coming through the town as they usually much bigger!

6. Racing/Homing: These come in many colors and have different beaks typically. They are bred to fly longer distances to reach home. When trained as pets, they don't do this.

7. Frillback: They basically are just pigeons with curly feathers. Personally in pictures I think they look cool but in real life it looks like paper. They are pretty unique and cool though. These birds tend to not fly that well.

8. Modena: This is basically a pigeon in chicken form. They don't fly that well.

Extras: Many breeds will involve feathered feet or a crest, it's just something extra bred into them.

This isn't meant to go over every breed, these are just the ones commonly bred and kept as pets which means I have the easiest access to. There are MANY breeds of pigeons and it doesn't matter at all which one you keep as a pet, it's really only about looks. A lot of breeders will tell you their breed is the best, it's just to lie and sell you a bird.

I used to travel the country training horses and exotics (zebras, camels, water buffalo, alpacas, etc.) but got frustrated with how people treated and trained their animals, so I stepped back from public training. I still train privately for the Salt River wild horse management group and occasionally help someone out. These days I teach country dancing at Scootin' Boots in Mesa, but pigeons are still my passion project.

Yes! It's not common, but every now and then somebody asks me to train their bird because they don't want a new one but they want help with recalling or diapering.

I do this for $100 for 2 weeks or $200 for 4 weeks. I can't guarantee anything obviously, but I will train your bird to recall indoors and diaper, with constant updates. I do not take these birds outside to free fly.

I personally see it as a new experience to improve my method or training, or meet a new personality. Every bird is different and they are all cute in their own way and the way they do their own things.

It is sad seeing a bird go, but you know they are going to a loving home that will teach someone else to enjoy pigeons in the way I have enjoyed them and that's all you can ask for. I love training all sorts of different pigeons and sharing my love of them with others.

I understand things happen and life changes. I would prefer if you have to get rid of your bird you go through me first that way I can retrain it and list it for cheaper than my other birds so it finds a home easily. You are also free to try and find a home for them yourself.