Gerald Durrell owned a black-backed gull as a young boy. It was a vicious brute by all accounts. I should steer clear of them.

There is a very dangerous bird in Indonesia, it can't fly but has got super powerful legs and claws, one kick from it can disembowel a human it is said, this is the extreme bird I have read. However, even a cockatoo or an eagle etc., will not fit into a tiny apt. Just their noise alone can get one in serious trouble with neighbors etc., I also can't help wildlife like deer etc., I do my little in the tiny birds arena. Can't have a hamster even, these tend to disappear if they escape and generate lots of poop, so lots of cleaning. It is very vital to know one's limitations and have contacts to call if such a situation arises.

The bird you describe is a cassowary. They are related to ostriches and emus and are famously bad-tempered. Eagles are hardly suitable pets either.

You might be interested in a book called "Owned by an Eagle" by Gerald Summers. This man is the recognised go-to person in the UK for confiscated illegally-kept raptors. As well as a golden eagle, he owned a gryphon vulture once, but it got killed by overhead power lines.

Thanks for these suggestions good to know, you are helpful hazel.

Today, I put Pauly away closer to window in the living room three times so that he gets some change and exercise flying back to my room. He is only eating seeds and this is not healthy. However, Pauly mistook these moves of mine as I want him to leave, this is what parent birds do to their young ones when they are fully weaned. So he was trying to fly outside, pulled down the curtains and was banging onto the windows. I was checking him to see if he wanted to be released, he was super scared and panting very badly, seemed in great distress, sadness. So I talked softly to him, encouraged him to come back and gave him some treats, sweet pats. Moving away from me if it comes to that he will do that but will be super stressful on him and he will deeply regret it. This made me realize how gentle birds are in general and how they think. It is this gap in our thinking and their background that creates communication issues. I will try to encourage him to fly around, exercise by other means, need to think how to get creative about this.

When I was very young there was a neighbor who had a coop of pigeons. I'd walk past almost every day and usually see him tending to them. When I told my dad about how nice he was to his pets he laughed and said the guy didn't have pets. He had dinner.

I used to feed a fox each night with a piece of bread. The silly thing would sneak up behind me to within a few feet. One time a coyote was only a few feet behind the fox and the chase went off into the darkness of the night. Did I cause the possible death of the fox or did I try to sustain it? We will never know.

The animal fox was claimed to be a common carrier of rabies so don't have anything to do with any part of them.

Young squabs are eaten in different parts of the globe. This is recorded well in history. However, in spite of this there are those who call pigeons as flying rats with vermins etc.,

As shown before in other links here, scientists have been amazed with pigeon intelligence. My biggest fault is that when I communicate with my pigeon, I am acting as it is not a wild bird. I need to think in terms of how the bird sees based on his background and will respond to my action. How can I act so that I get a positive response from Pauly. This is a learning experience for me. Hopefully, with time I will improve.

Pigeon pulled down curtains again today and was closer to window watching outsides. It was -41C outside earlier today with windchill. Perhaps he is scared to see outsides also out of curiosity. He is coming even more readily on my arms now to be fed. He is ok if I cuddle him while he perches on my arms. I have heard of folks releasing pigeons after giving them 5 months of shelter, relief even. In spring he might atleast wish to see outdoors a bit, with time, he will likely be bored with routine indoor life, specially if his health greatly improves. Also, there are those who free fly pigeons, like they fly outsides for some time but then return back home. This is more possible only if he has a mate that stays with me also. There is no chance for this. I am not surprised now thinking in context that he was shocked recently. The emergency rooms in hospitals here are full from folks with fractures from falls, so even Mayor told all to be careful and to call City if there are special areas where snow, ice needs to be cleared. This will continue for few more days or even weeks in future. Time clarifies everything, will give it good time and see.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ies-geese.html

This is a very interesting article, the geese regard him as his mother since they saw him first on being hatched. However, this is not that important in my experience. Compassion and affection can also help forge nice bonds with birds.

Geese are also very powerful like sea gulls I think, certainly a no no for a tiny apartment.

I have eaten many a pigeon. Best if grilled and shot pellets removed.

As a child I didn't know the difference between a pet and dinner.

Atleast you didn't know the difference as a child.

After having pet birds for almost 20 years, I was still very ignorant about the glory of pigeons until I started finding a few of these in need on and off about a year ago.

Now here are a few objectives for Pauly:
1. Eat veggies, fruits and people foods
2. Get a bit more independent with time, specially when he has to be alone
3. Get comfortable going outside with me for walks
4. Come to me when I call him for his safety and welfare

Not perhaps a good idea. My guide to feeding wild birds lists the preferred diet of pigeons as seeds and grains, peanuts, suet, and mealworms. All birds will eat whatever is available regardless of whether it's good for them, and feeding them white bread has been associated with malnutrition in wildfowl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_wing

See even at site above they say feral pigeons eat fruits. I will not give him excess human foods, veggies, fruits. Just a little bit of his diet. Seeds are cheaper depending on the variety. Local pet stores all have special pigeon food mix, so they must be popular as pets. I didn't realize this at all, must try and learn more about who has pigeons as pets. I thought folks mostly had parrots as pets as they are more colorful, playful, few talk etc., Parrots and their related toys, supplies are also more expensive and big business, so makes sense to promote them. My parrots are ok with cookies, bread etc., but didn't know this can harm a pigeon so will not give this to him.

http://listverse.com/2015/04/14/10-o...d-about-birds/

Interesting list, specially the story about the Pigeon, Turkey and African Grey.

I am not alone in this, several others have done the same:
http://www.rescuereport.org/2010/11/...iracle-of.html