Best humane ways to trap pigeons

A while ago I posted this thread with a video of my homemade trap: Web footed feral pigeon

I have since found a pair of pigeons nesting on my neighbors house. Unfortunately, they are not welcome there. I wish they'd nest on my house but I really don't have anything that would appeal for nest building. Anyway, I have managed to trap them a few times over the past several weeks and released them a distance away twice. They keep coming back. I used the home made trap in the above thread.

Now they are very wary of my trap so I'm looking into other methods. There are these 2 kinds of traps that work automatically. Without bobs and With bobs. The good
thing about these kinds is you don't have to stand there holding a string waiting for the birds to walk in. But I can't see them walking into such a small thing. I've seen net type traps but don't know if they work for pigeons. I've tried a box trap already, no go. Any other ideas?

Are they nesting in a spot where you could possibly nab them at night?

Fancyfeathers wrote:

Are they nesting in a spot where you could possibly nab them at night?

That would be my thought as well.
What will you do with them?
Isn't it amazing how well Ferals HOME?

Fancyfeathers wrote:

Are they nesting in a spot where you could possibly nab them at night?

Nope. The nest is above a second story air conditioner, above the window. You'd need a really big ladder and I'm afraid of heights! :eek:
And yeah they can sure home. First time it took 24 hours. Second time 2 days from much farther away. I guess I'd have to try even farther away. Now there seems to be another male hanging around and fighting with the first male and flirting with the hen.

How far away did you take them?

First time was about 12 miles. Second time maybe farther than that. I left a big pile of tasty corn in my big cage trap and they went in it today for a few seconds. So I may be able to trap them again with it. But then what to do?

I guess the only thing you can do is incorporate them into your loft.

Is there a feral flock around there that you might be able to introduce them to?

Well, I had good luck yesterday and was able to trap this pair with my cage trap. Never underestimate the power of corn! I actually trapped 3 birds.

The last time I had tried trapping the pair, I got the male first and had him inside for about 5 days before I was able to get the hen. During that time, a new male started hanging around and began to court the hen. After releasing the pair a distance away, the new male stayed nearby. When the pair arrived back here, the new male went after the original male and tried to chase him off. Sooo, I now have the pair in a cage (happy together) and an unhappy lone male in another. Now if I release the lone male, is it possible he would stay and take over the nest on my neighbor's house and bring a new hen there? Or would he take off since the old hen is no longer there?

Fancyfeathers wrote:

Is there a feral flock around there that you might be able to introduce them to?

I think they came from a flock. I had been feeding birds, including pigeons, in my backyard for a while. This pair must have come around with them and then decided to stay. I guess they liked my cooking!

Jenaka wrote:

Sooo, I now have the pair in a cage (happy together) and an unhappy lone male in another. Now if I release the lone male, is it possible he would stay and take over the nest on my neighbor's house and bring a new hen there? Or would he take off since the old hen is no longer there?

It's possible he'll stick around, but I'm thinking he'll take off and go find a flock.

That's what I think too. I think he was hoping to steal the hen. :For Shame: