Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Racing pigeons can sometimes become ‘lost’ or disorientated. They may come down to find food and water or to rest before continuing on their way.
In a nutshell
If you find a tired racing pigeon
• please give water and food
• only contain it if the pigeon is injured or at risk from a predator
• try to release it after a day or two
• only report it to us if it will not clear and it is contained
• only report to us if it has a GB ring
Should I feed it…?
The majority of birds that are found are perfectly capable of finding their way home, they just need a little time to recover before they continue. If you can provide water, preferably in a deep dish and a little food; uncooked rice, maize (popcorn) or lentils are good food substitutes. Wild bird seed is perfectly acceptable. Please do not give the pigeon bread as it is not good for them.
What else will it need…?
A tired bird will need protection from predators such as cats or foxes; if you can get the bird contained in a cardboard box or a pet basket that will be fine. After 24 to 48 hours rest it should be ready to continue its journey home. Please release the bird in a clear area, away from wires or other obstacles. There is no need to report the event.
What if it doesn’t go…?
Should a pigeon not clear the area or if you find a sick or injured racer then the owner can be traced through the ring number that the bird carries. Rings issued by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association follow the pattern GB 05 X 12345 – with any year date serial letter etc. If you submit the ring number on the form below we will reply with details of the owner; usually on the next working day. We would then ask you to make contact with the owner for further advice with regards to the bird. If you are confident enough to handle the pigeon you may find the owner’s telephone number stamped on one of the wing feathers or the pigeon may have a name and address ring on its leg.
If the owner is not contactable by telephone then we will either write to them by first class post, copied to you or try to find someone locally to assist.
Once you have reported the bird by email please do not telephone. We will get back to you during the next working day. For your information our office hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm excluding bank holidays.
Please note that we DO NOT keep records of birds from other British unions. If you find a pigeon that has NEHU, SHU, WHU, NWHU or IHU etc on the ring, please contact that organisation directly from the list below.
Please DO NOT report birds that are NOT contained; the majority will clear of their own accord. It is not unusual for a pigeon to stay around for a number of days before it continues its journey.
So, in a nutshell
If you find a tired racing pigeon
• please give water and food
• only contain it if the pigeon is injured or at risk from a predator
• try to release it after a day or two
• only report it to us if it will not clear and it is contained
• only report to us if it has a GB ring
Thank you for your assistance and interest. With your help we are confident that the pigeon will continue its journey home.
The following is a list of the main racing associations or unions within the United Kingdom where stray birds can be reported, the organisation being identified by the prefix of the ring number.
GB - The Royal Pigeon Racing Association, The Reddings, Nr Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6RN. Telephone 01452 713529
NEHU - North of England Homing Union, 58, Ennerdale Road, Walker Dene, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 4DG. Telephone 0191 262 5440. Email NEHU Stray Birds
WHPU - Welsh Homing Pigeon Union, Unit 6, Atlantic Trading Estate
Hayes Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 3RF. Tel 01446 739555.
Email: gail@whpu.org.uk
IHU - Irish Homing Union, I.H.U. IRISH HOMING PIGEON UNION. K. McConaghie, 38 Ballynahatty Road,
Belfast, BT8 8LE. Tel: 028 9064 4231.
Serial letter 'N' rings to be reported to J. Hughes, 44 Ashbourne Park,
Lambeg, Lisburn. BT27 4NS.
Serial letter 'S' rings to be reported to S. Lehane, 69 Lorcan Crescent,
Santry, Dublin 9, Eire. Tel: 00353 1421391
Back To Home Page
