Imprinting

This video is geared toward parrots, imprinting on humans, is also relevant to pigeons. I've seen it myself with Elli, Oliver and other pigeons...they just don't know how to relate to their own kind and are stuck between not fiting as a human or a pigeon.

Excellent video, Charis.

This is the reason why I always was so reluctant at the beginning to touch and cuddle nestlings. I decided to leave them alone until they were old enough to see their own parents because I feared them to become too tame. So far I had absolutely no problem with the imprinting on me - although I love to play with squeakers but as soon as they are out together with the others they lose their narrow relationship with me and I am happy about this although it sometimes makes me sad of course.

Something different is of course when a baby is sick and needs intensive care and no parents there to help them. This is truly a difficult situtation.

Petra...I think it's okay to interact with squeakers....talk to them and such. The danger, as with other birds, isa when the babies are removed from mom and dad and human hand reared.

Very interesting video, and certainly a problematic situation.

Thing is, a lot of the time we don't have a choice with rescues, we have to hand-rear the very young ones so they don't die. But I remember reading in another forum about a pigeon who had bonded with his caregiver, but was courted by a young hen for ages, until he reciprocated her attentions.
I certainly hope this will happen with Strophe eventually.

You're right, Teresa...often we don't have a choice. Mostly, I wanted folks to understand why hand raised pigeons can have a diffucult time knowing how to fit with other pigeons and why they can't be released.

Matilda wrote:

You're right, Teresa...often we don't have a choice. Mostly, I wanted folks to understand why hand raised pigeons can have a diffucult time knowing how to fit with other pigeons and why they can't be released.

This is a great video and a very important subject. Like, you say, people need to understand the risks of hand-rearing pigeons (as well as most other birds). It is a horrible thought to think that some one out there may be releasing imprinted birds into the wild, thinking that they are doing the right thing when it isn't.

But like others say too, sometimes, with enough conspecific attention, imprinted pigeons may start to understand that they are a pigeon and relate to them. Although my Georgie is very human-orientated, I think that she would like a pigeon mate because she certainly is interested in Elmo's voice. But so far no pigeon has been able to see past her disability (her cloudy eyes) and treat her with the gentleness she needs. They all eventually try to peck at her eyes (I guess because they look weird).

And I agree, sometimes, due to illness or the baby being an orphan, you have to hand-rear and give them special attention. It is always better though if they have another pigeon to be with and grow up with - just so they keep their identity. But it is hard. An ever present problem.