Of late, I’ve spent weeks worrying about Percy Pige. What to do now, release him? Wait until late spring? Put him in the lifer aviary in the rescue?
If release, where? Here, where he will fly straight to me given how tame he is, right into Buddy’s jaws.
Release him elsewhere which means putting him in a carrier and driving him to lands unknown…..oh, back and forth I’ve gone, over and over the same old options.
I spoke to wildlife; as long as there’s a good weather forecast for a few days they are happy to release adult birds all year round.
So, I focused on the facts. Percy was an adult bird when he came into my care, nine months ago, so he knows how to fend for himself. However, he’s horribly tame around me now…..
so, will he fly to other people for food? Will he nibble their fingers and duck and bow to them???
I decided that if he does, people flapping him away will soon cure him of those bad habits.
He’s flying brilliantly, so why would I force captivity on him in the lifer aviary? That seemed a poor choice.
After much deliberation I opted for release, here in my garden on the basis that if he hung around I could easily capture him with a handful of seed and release him elsewhere.
After checking the BBC weather forecast, I bit the bullet and decided to release Percy, albeit it with a heavy heart, for I had become far too attached to my feathered friend.
So…
I gave him a final, early morning feed…..shed a tear…..
and opened the doors, he did seem to find the view interesting.
When I returned an hour later he hadn’t really gone far…
and it took a few more hours before he made his way into the garden.
Talk about tough love! In the end I had to run at him, shouting and clapping my hands until finally, up, and away he went!
To my neighbour’s roof.
Then after a little wing flapping he took off and flew around the neighbourhood in beautiful circular loops. After four loops he seemed to catch wind of something and flew like a dart towards Liverpool.
That was the last I saw of him, fortunately, and he did have glorious weather for two weeks, what more could I ask for!
And finally….
After nine months I decided that Percy was a girl, so is now Percie in my mind. I hope she is well, and surviving. I have to say that I don’t miss the mess, and it will take a while to clean the study properly, but I do miss her terribly and wonder how she is doing constantly.
I almost hope we meet again, although that is also my worst nightmare. Hopefully she got wind of where she came from and is right back where she belongs. That would be the perfect ending.
Well done, you made the right decision. I remember the heartbreak my son and DiL went through releasing their starling, Trevor. But these are wild creatures. Percie Pige will be fine. And you get your study back. Until the next time that is.
Thanks Chloris, it was a difficult call but she was fully recovered, albeit a little tame around me. Hopefully her instincts kick in now she is free. Oh….Trevor’s story sounds wonderful, you must tell it sometime. Hubs is delighted to have his study back….hahaha, as you say though, he doesn’t get to keep it for long. Who knows what will arrive next? xxx
That’s a tough situation, but it seems like you did the right thing. Pigeons were not meant to be house pets, I think.
How true, pigeons are not meant to be house pets! Percie recovered beautifully in the end so back to the wild she had to go. Thanks Jason.xxx
Hmm.. . I can imagine how difficult a decision to make that was. Let’s hope she is able to cope with her renewed freedom. You’ve done the best for her.
I think we ( your blog readers ) all would miss her too!
Thanks Jade, it was a hard call but I’m so glad I let her go, it was time. I do hope she is doing well, she has a second chance. Ahhhh, how lovely to think my readers may miss updates on her.xxx
Well done. And difficult though it must have been, how glorious to see her flying those first large loops as she discovered her wings and sky again.
Thanks Brenda. It was wonderful seeing her flying so well, I never thought I’d ever be able to release her.xxx
Sometimes I think the sad stories of people with too many animals are due to some of them not being as wise and strong as you, and simply being unable to release those who are ready to go back into their natural world. You may well see Percie again — I had a raccoon who brought her babies for me to see for three years, and I have bluejays (or their progeny) who return every year for their peanuts. But if she shows up again, don’t invite her in!
Thanks Linda, I certainly don’t feel wise or strong, but I do always try and focus on the welfare and needs of each animal that ends up in my care. I agree with you, some animal hoarders end up doing more harm than good. I haven’t seen sight nor sound of Percie so far which is a good thing. Loved reading of your raccoon and bluejays, what wonderful stories, you must post about them. Haha….if Percie does show up she certainly won’t be invited in!xxx
We have Crested Pigeons visiting the garden, and they always seem very happy with other pigeons in the wild. It is lovely that you have helped Percie enough for her to be able to survive without you, in her bigger, but natural world. Best wishes for further rescues!
Lucky you having crested pigeons! It was brilliant releasing Percie as I never thought she would get better, I hope she is surviving. Goodness…what further rescues…lol. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
When I first read your blog title, I thought that sweet Percie was no more! Glad to know that she has been released and has had at least some good weather whilst she gets used to the great outdoors. A job very well done, I think. xx
Oh goodness…..I didn’t mean for anyone to think that! Yes, she had some beautiful weather and was weather proof as she had a little bowl to bathe in so she should be fine in the rain. It’s lovely knowing she is free again. Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx
I know you’ll miss Percie, but you’ve given Pigey such loving attention it’s a wonderful achievement to release her into the wild and it was the right thing to do, as you know. Wishing Pige well and you and your family also.
Thanks Linda, it’s wonderful knowing she is back where she belongs. I do hope all is well with her. Thanks for your good wishes for my girls, they are thriving.xxx
Although a hard choice to make, I think you made the right choice.
All the best Jan
PS Hope your lovely new grand-daughter is doing well.
Thanks Jan, I think it was the right choice, fingers crossed she’s doing well. Grand-daughter and daughter are thriving.xxx
So pleased that both your Grand-daughter and daughter are thriving 🙂
All the best Jan
xxx
A wild Percie pige anyway. You did the right thing anyway.
Thanks Peter, yes, a wild Percie pige, that feels good to know.xxx
I’m intrigued that it was 9 months ago Percie came to you and is now released… and now you’ve got the arrival of Baby Hallie 🙂
Though it was a difficult call, I’m glad you were able to come to a decision and that Percie has had the best start to a new life as she could get. **blowing kisses Percie’s way**
Goodness, now you have me intrigued too…what an interesting observation! Yes, Percie has made a full recovery so it was time for her to go. Loving the Percie kisses.xxx
Oh dear, what a wrench! Especially when you’d loved her and made her better! I don’t care how good it is when we release animals (and children) into the wider world … WE STILL MISS THEM. Pigeony hugs xxxx
Ahhh, how true Gill, letting go is always the hardest part for sure. True about missing them as well. Thanks for the pigeony hug.xxx
Oh, sweet Percie. How wonderfully you changed her life, and what a holy, lovely time you shared. Somewhere in her darling head, I bet she knows she has a safe home to return to, if she must, but I’ll hope she’s having grand and safe pigeon adventures, and a long, happy life!
Bless your heart. Thank you for saving our world, every chance you get!💖
Ahhh, thanks for such a lovely comment Kitty, as always you are far too kind. I never thought that little bird would ever recover so I’m delighted to know she is flying free once again. Hopefully all is well for her. That’s a comforting thought, that she can return here if she needs too. Love and hugs to you.xxx
Good for you,even though it was clearly a hard decision too make. I would have felt the same in your shoes. Deciding that she’s a girl not a boy made me smile. xx
Thanks Flighty. It was difficult finally releasing her, I do feel I made the right decision though. Good to have you smiling.xxx
That was exactly the right choice, however hard for you.
Thanks Sue, I certainly overthought the options but feel I made the right decision.xxx
You did a good thing. I would feel exactly the same as you, I know I’d get far too attached to the animals I was looking after, but they’re wild animals and birds and Percie will now have the life that was meant for her and you helped her achieve it. That’s something to be proud of. Hope that beautiful little granddaughter of yours is doing well, and mum too.
Thanks Jo, it was far too easy to get attached to Percie pidge. It’s still odd without her but I have my fingers and toes crossed that she is doing well. Yes, my beautiful girls are doing brilliantly.xxx