Have you Seen a Banded Pigeon in Illinois?

Have you ever spotted a pigeon sporting a funky anklet in your yard? I recently did, and what I found out about pigeons like this is quite fascinating.

Are There Pigeons In Illinois?

For the last week or so, I have spotted one big, gray bird spending time in our backyard having fun using the solar blanket on our pool as its own massive birdbath.

Yesterday we took the solar blanket off our pool, and our unique feathered friend was NOT happy about it. It walked back and forth, cooing, along our pool edge for at least 15 min looking for a place to cool off, and I was able to get close enough to it to get a good look at it...

I said to my husband; "that's a pigeon!" and he replied; "no way that's a pigeon, they don't live around here."

Well, my dear husband, if it looks like a pigeon and coos like a pigeon, it's a pigeon...and they DO live in Illinois.

According to Wildlife Illinois, rock doves, commonly called pigeons, area  "permanent, nonmigratory resident in Illinois. Pigeons are common and abundant throughout Illinois."

I didn't want to tell my husband "I told you so" but...obviously, I was right.

Not Your Ordinary Pigeon

At one point I was able to get about 2 feet away from the bird, and that is when I noticed something very unique about this pigeon.

First off, it was alone, and has been every time I have seen it, (wild pigeons usually flock in groups of 10 to 30).

Plus, this lone pigeon has a bright yellow band on one of its legs.

(It's hard to see in this picture, but trust me, it's there)

Why Are Pigeons Banded in Illinois?

My first thought was that this backyard visitor was part of a some kind of scientific study, but All About Birds says;

When scientists put bands on wild birds, they use metal bands issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Racing and other domestic pigeons never wear these bands.

This pigeon's band was definitely not metal, so do we have a racing pigeon on our hands?!? Of course I had to find out more.

After doing a little Googling, I'm fairly convinced that this bird is either a racing or homing pigeon and technically, someone owns it.

All About Birds also says;

 Racing and other domestic pigeons never wear these bands; their owners use different bands usually registered with either the American Racing Pigeon Union or the International Federation of American Pigeon Fanciers. If you can read the leg band numbers, you can contact these organizations to try to track down the pigeon owners.

Well, I couldn't get close enough to read the info on the pigeon's band, so now what?

Everything I read says if the bird seems healthy and flies away easily, (which it did) you can just leave it be and hope it finds its way home.

If the pigeon looks injured, lethargic, or unable to fly, it needs your help. If possible,  scoop it up and place it in a well-ventilated box with a towel or soft cloth and a shallow dish of water.

If you can read the information on the leg band, the two organizations named above are a good place to start to located the owner, but if all else fails, bring the bird to a rehabilitation center like Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Durand, Illinois.

As for my backyard's pigeon friend, I'll keep a close eye out to make sure its ok. Perhaps it will return once we put his playground, aka our solar cover, back on the pool.