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Please contact us if you require any further information about Pigeon Racing NZ.

We will respond to your email as soon as possible.

If you find a stray pigeon, please refer to the information on our Found Pigeons page and email us as soon as possible.

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Water

Most lost birds are hungry and thirsty. Water is necessary before all else. Since pigeons drink by suction, any water container should be at least 2.5 cm deep. The container should be heavy enough not to be knocked over. A half preserving jar is most suitable for this purpose although a dish, an old margarine tub, etc. can be used. A bird which has gone without water for a while is sometimes a bit less than itself. It may be so exhausted, it doesn't even realise that water is in front of it, especially if the water container you use is different from what it is familiar with. A trick is to trickle a few drops of water from on high into the container to make a splashing sound. When they hear that, most birds will invariably head to drink.

Food

Pigeons are grain eaters. While park pigeons will eat bread, most domestic birds have been raised on a multi-grain mixture and have never seen a slice of it. In fact, they would likely ignore it as possible food. Instead of bread, you might try feeding them something else from around the house. Popcorn (maize), rice, split peas, barley, cage bird seed, etc., are all good first options to feed a lost bird with. If you have some soup mix available, this is a good substitute as this contains most of the grains that pigeons generally eat. THESE GRAINS SHOULD NOT BE COOKED OR POPPED BUT FED RAW. Water should also be provided since pigeons normally drink immediately after eating.

What should I keep it in?

Any container that a dog or cat can't get into will be fine. An old bird cage will hold the pigeon for a day or so with no problem, as will a cardboard box. A screen on top of such a box is better than simply closing the flaps since there will then be enough light for the bird to see to eat and drink plus provide plenty of ventilation. Once caught, the usually tired and hungry pigeon should be kept in a secure place away from cats etc.

Finding the bird's owner

Please report lost pigeons by sending us the details noted here. When reporting the found pigeon it is important to give all the details from the life ring of the bird. There will be a Club Code, Year, and Number, these are all needed to enable the owner to be traced and contacted. NEVER try to attach a note to the owner by rubber banding it to the bird's leg. This cuts off the leg's blood circulation and often leads to gangrene and amputation of the limb.

REPORT LOST PIGEONS BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please include the following in your email:

Your Name
Your Phone Number
Your Street Address including Town/City
Pigeon Ring Details (see above - please advise Club Code, Year and Number on ring)
Details of condition of bird

Non-homing pigeons

There are more than 200 breeds of pigeon. Some fly very well, some don't. Those which carry a life ring can usually be tracked to the owner.

A History of New Zealand Pigeon Racing - Part 1

The History of Pigeon Racing in New Zealand - Part 1. Written by Ross Wallace of Whangarei

This series of articles have their origin in a project started by the late Don Forsyth of Taupo. It was Don’s dream to write a book on New Zealand Pigeon Racing and to this end he gathered together old pigeon magazines, record books from old clubs and notes from fanciers throughout the country. Sadly Don passed on before he could put this accumulation into a book but he did save much valuable information that would otherwise have been lost.

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Homing Pigeons in New Zealand Communications

The early use of pigeons in New Zealand as a means of communication

This article on the early use of pigeons as a means of communication was written by the late Desmond Hurley, a renowned stamp collector from Wellington. Desmond's interest in the subject came from his original research into the Great Barrier Pigeon-gram Service and their stamps but he quickly realized that pigeons were more widely used in communication prior to the introduction of the telegraph.