Paul rested most of morning and perched on my lap today on just one leg
in evening listening to music on radio as I sang. Now a bird perches on
just one leg when it is very comfortable, relaxed, so this is a very
good sign. Other parrots also watched me as I sang along with
radio with joy. Parrots also liked raw rolled oats that Paul is eating.

Paul is a rock pigeon:
https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wiki...ock_Pigeon.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_dove

Here is another consideration, in the wild, these pigeons live only for
3 to 5 years. I have a feeling Paul is 4 years or so in age. So he has only
a year or two max. outside. However, if he lives with me, he may have
a longer life perhaps. The one issue is that I don't have space for a cage
for him and this will be an issue in some instances.

Edited to add:
This is also a concern with several birds in a small space:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_fancier's_lung
I have had pneumonia once in the past and it was quite painful.

While he might not have long to live in the wild, it might be good to
allow nature to take its course. I can always help another pigeon in need
if the situation arises. Will reflect on this.

Today early morning, Paul the pigeon I rescued perched on my fingers for a few minutes as I walked around my tiny apt. This is quite an improvement.

We've been involved for many years in pet rescue (mostly cats), and, while you may undertake to "rescue" or at least "to care for" Nature's creatures of any sort, it does pay not to anthropomorphize them, and not to become emotionally-attached to them too deeply. Because: "Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw ..."

Thanks, here is a nice Penguin rescue story:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/dind...guim-1.3487668

Paul has stopped throwing food around and is eating from his plate more, this is excellent development. Now to see how long it takes for him to start getting bored and ask for interaction, company, activity. If he gets super active, bored, flying around, looking outside from window, looking like he wishes to go outside etc., then I might release him, time will tell.

Accidentally discovered that even in my bedroom, with light turned off, pigeon is ok. Must have realized this before, he is very sensitive to bright light and feels
intimidated even it seems. Brought him in hall and then inside bed room again for
some variety. He even stood on just one foot at corner of bed for sometime, this is
very comforting to note. Next time can put paper napkins where he perches for easy
cleaning (tried this later and works perfect). Took shower after 4 days almost, glad the pigeon can be moved around a bit now, gives me some relief. He even flew a bit now when I went after him. Wish he is a bit more co-operative and doesn't run away as much, this chasing around is no fun.

Here are a few interesting bird related links:
http://naturesscrapbook.blogspot.ca/...st-vocabulary-
in-world.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_bird

A friend told me that perhaps Pigeon (Paul) also misses his family and buddies outside so he is sad. This is very understandable, so let him take his time to get used to his present situation, no rush.

Towards late noon, Pigeon perched on top of bathroom door very well and didn't come down even when I tried to catch it. Just flapped wings a lot when bothered by tiny light bugs. If not, he stayed there. Thought he was trying to fly but actually no. Sprayed some water on him. . Turned off light, to temporarily blind him, then caught him and returned him back to the bath tub. Let him get used to changes slowly, no rush. This is very good progress so far.

Edited to add:
Wow, I found him on October 31st, so it is 9 days already since he has been with me. Tomorrow we have sudden low temperature alert locally. Unless there is tremendous improvement immediately, I will consider releasing him in 2018 March or April if he is ready, continue to improve at this rate, still prefers to
be alone, not disturbed and specially shows strong tendencies to be outdoors.

I can train him to come to me by delaying feeding a bit and only feeding small amounts at a time, then calling him to me from far etc., However, I don't wish
to do all this for now as if he wishes to return to nature then it will not help.

How to pet a pigeon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxfusXIVTDc

Will do my best for him and see how it goes from here with time.

Yesterday late evening placed Paul on top of the bathroom door and slowly placed seeds away from him, he started following the trail and eating gently. He preened himself a lot also there, this was very nice to see. The only thing I am not giving him so far are proteins, fruits and veggies. Perhaps in nature they get these more in season. Will try to do my best.

Paul slept close to my foot on the bed today early morning. He insisted on this a few times, ran and stood there, I couldn't refuse. This is dangerous if he slept
close to me chest or hands, however this corner close to my foot is quite safe, so I allowed him to stay there. It is interesting that he is still uncomfortable if I come
close to him but he wishes to sleep close to me. Will give him time to get more
comfortable.

I am also getting used to handling Paul better and moving him around.
Perched him on top of book shelf close to stereo and he was watching the room for sometime. When he moved, I brought him back to bath tub for his meal.

Pet pigeon demanding attention:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqEM6BPn0Cg

I played this video above a few times and Paul got very active, flew all over my apartment and even flew to window, stayed there for sometime. This is very nice to see, if he continues this then I might release him. He needs meaning to go outside, that is his life. Helping him has been my success, next time I can help
another pigeon or creature. It was -9C with wind chill yesterday at 1 pm. Tomorrow when I go to buy groceries or on Monday, I was thinking of taking Pauly and releasing him at a very nice location, then allowing him to carry on. Let nature take its course. Keeping him any longer with me doesn't serve any purpose. Will free my time to do other things was my idea.

However, a contact told me that his activity level is more of a concern rather than the cold for him to be released. This is a very good point. So, will continue to feed and care for him as long as he rests most of the time. Once he gets more energetic, active and starts to explore around on his own, then I will release him. Perhaps weather will also be better than. I will not bond with him meanwhile, let him be as he prefers.

If I wish for pigeon company, I can feed feral pigeons and/or watch pigeon related youtube videos etc., However, in reality I can't even handle another budgie indoors.

This rescue, release is same as my case:
http://www.pigeonsaspets.co.uk/?s=misty

Release of Rescue Wood Pigeons:
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f47/th...ons-40665.html

To Release or not to Release Rescue Pigeon:
http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f23/to...ase-10874.html

Based on the above and on chat with another person who with prior rescue experience it was decided to care for the pigeon till early spring and then assess the situation. At that time if the pigeon wishes to leave, then me keeping it will not be fair. I am only caring for the pigeon till he is well and can return outdoors safely.

Many of my contacts including a professional vet tech told me to release this pigeon. Here is an interesting related link:
http://www.pigeonrescue.org/faqs-2/h...n-for-newbies/

I was feeling sad as he seemed not ready. But with time he is blending in very well.
He explored my tiny apt. in flight and perched at different spots to observe. He is avoiding problem areas like light bulbs when flying. There was some conflict between him and my parrots a few times and I had to intervene but he learned fast and is interacting smoothly with them.

2 days ago I offered him a shower as my other parrots wanted to have a bath. Today he refused to come down for his breakfast and wanted to be fed by me in his meal plate. He basically refused to eat on his own.

At this point he is leading me to show that he is very content, wishes to stay and doesn't wish to leave for now. He is also not allowing me to handle him directly as much as before. Watching him, my noisy parrots have also become very calm, sedate even.

There are so many pigeons out close to where I live in wild, they don't care for human interaction, happy outdoors with their families. Paul clearly appreciates being indoors, my company and the care I provide for now. This is good in winter.
Perhaps in spring when weather is a lot better and other pigeons outside get quite vocal he might change. I can also take him with me on walks outside then, so that he sees it is possible to get same level of food, security, comfort outdoors + other pigeon buddies also. Can also open door, window etc., to see if he wishes to leave. Rather than me making decisions for him, I will let him go at his own pace and show me what he wants. He doesn't have physical issues but has mental needs and appreciates deeply human company, care. This I have no hesitation to give.

Edited to add:
http://www.pigeonrescue.org/wp-conte...0/IMG_5260.jpg
My pigeon is closer to the above, so seems to a Birmingham Roller.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Roller

Paul protests if I leave him in bath tub now, he wishes to be in bedroom with rest of flock and me also. Paul complains with intense wing flaps when he badly needs something. I am getting more used to his flying around with time. He likes Bulgur
Wheat quite a bit.

I had to catch Paul to try him in a cage I have, he fits in very well, took 15 mts for me to catch him, he was flying around till then, he gets tired easily and can't fly for long, no wonder he wishes to stay indoors.

There is only one area of doubt, few days ago I had to chase Paul with a red broom
as there was some conflict with my parrots and also to direct him to
another location, the color and size of broom scared him so much that he
tried to escape keep going out of closed windows and eventually fell down.
From now on I will only direct him with a plastic broom stick without the broom
end, also be quieter and slow so that he understands I am only trying to help him
and not scare him.

On closer observation and reflection, Paul is just more territorial and defensive, he wants his safe space, sanctuary. He is not really interested in bonding with
me as opposed to taking over. So, I will let him stay in bath tub longer and slowly increase his confidence about going outside, see if this helps. A soft release might be the solution. I don't wish to keep on cleaning his poop and worry about conflicts with my other parrots. Will see if this helps and how it goes.

Paul is starting to have conflicts fast with my parrots this is a no no. In spring I will take him around on walks and see if he likes the outdoors, shows signs of wanting to be released, this is best. He is still defensive and insecure. He needs to be shown that he will get good food, security and care outdoors also. Perhaps even better and also interaction with other pigeons outdoors, then perhaps he will want to leave. Few days ago I thought the above but on reflecting a bit, I came to realize otherwise.

It is very likely that Paul was ostracized from his flock, for being
dominant, territorial and also not too strong as he is aging. There is a good chance had to leave due to a more dominant male. The site below explains flocking in birds well:
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biod...gbehavior.html

Hence he was looking for an alternative to provide his basics, sense of flock
comfort and affection. I provided return to health, royalty treatment and
all the above, so he doesn't wish to leave as he knows what he will face outside.
This is my conclusion after reading the sites below also:
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Single-Pigeon
https://www.wikihow.com/Tame-Pigeons...ge-Permanently
https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Pigeons
https://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Pigeons
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Wido...Homing-Pigeons
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Homing-Pigeon

Two main concerns:
1) my pigeon is not eating fruits, veggies, people foods and
2) isn't comfortable perching on my hand and doesn't come to me when called
Both are for his safety so that I can give him good care. Since he was wild
perhaps with time as he gets more comfortable, he will change.

My other feel is that he will desire the outdoors sometimes, he will be
bored indoors etc., however he is not suitable of living on his
own outdoors permanently from what I have seen so far. Perhaps he may also loose fancy for comfortable indoor living and find it routine. Time will tell tho.

Bought pigeon mix and grits from birds from pet store today. The grits are actually crushed oyster shells and will help birds with Calcium. He ate a lot with great joy for lunch. Will see how it goes.

I have placed an old PC tower on my desk, this is convenient for Paul to perch on. He poops over it but I am ok and clean it up.

If I get too close to him he grunts and pecks or slaps with his feather if the intrusion is intense. On the other hand if ignored he flaps his wings in same place creates a commotion or even flies around fast a bit. He wants meals in portions few times a day. He is still not comfortable on my shoulder and tries to move away fast if I place him on my shoulder. He doesn't like me touching the mouse that is on the PC tower sometimes.

Paul my pigeon can't eat a lot at the same time, he has to eat in very small portions few times a day, even closer to night, else he gets very tired even to just stand/walk. Also he is very picky about the kind of seeds he eats. Now no wonder he was so unsteady and weak when I found him. Water however, he drinks all he can in one gulp without a pause before each meal, this is quite interesting.

So glad I realized all this and didn't force release dump him outdoors somewhere in a hurry as others suggested to me elsewhere.