PREPARE TO PIGEONWATCH

By Julie Zickefoose

1. LEARN PIGEON COLOR MORPHS AND COURTSHIP BEHAVIORS
   
   
   1. Color Morphs
      One of the most interesting characteristics of city pigeons is that they come in many different colors. In fact, people who raise pigeons, for racing, homing, or showing purposes, can recognize many different color morphs. Most of these morphs include beautiful, shiny neck feathers that reflect different colors like rainbows. This shine is called iridescence. Project PigeonWatch groups pigeon colors into seven morphs. (We use the same names that pigeon fanciers use, only fewer of them.)
      Click here to learn the pigeon color morphs.
      
      
   2. Courtship Behaviors
      If you want to learn which color morphs court each other, the next step is to closely observe your pigeons' behaviors and record what you see. If you see pigeons demonstrating any of the following behaviors, you can assume they are courting.
      Click here to learn about pigeon courtship behaviors.
      
      
2. LOCATE OR CREATE ONE OR MORE PIGEONWATCH SITES
   1. Locating a Site
      Before you can do any PigeonWatching, you have to find some pigeons! How do you find a flock of pigeons that will let you get close enough to count? Search your neighborhood, looking for pigeons that gather in flocks and are accustomed to people. If a flock is fed on a regular basis, it should be easy to approach. Find a place to stand or sit close to your pigeons. If you cannot get close to them, create your own PigeonWatch Site. Read on!
      
      
   2. Creating a Site
      You can create a PigeonWatch Site by regularly feeding the pigeons in your area. Stick to a schedule, so the pigeons will know when to expect you and your food. Hint: Pigeon eyesight is very good and the birds seem to have good memories, so you might try wearing the same color clothing when feeding pigeons. Be patient! Keep feeding! (note: we do not encourage feeding on a permanent basis -- this encourages the the pigeons to gather in large numbers and brings about the wrath of neighbors!)
      
      
3. PRACTICE PIGEONWATCHING (optional)
   First, copy your data form so that you can practice. Then, locate your flock and sit or stand quietly.
   
   With luck, some pigeons will be roosting on buildings or looking for food on the ground.
   
   First, toss out a handful of food. (NOTE: Feed pigeons only where allowed by law.) Because pigeons move around while feeding, counting can be a challenge. Estimates are okay!

    

MATERIALS NEEDED

• data form for recording your data
• pen or pencil and clipboard or other hard surface

Optional

• pigeon food
• binoculars

PIGEONWATCH

By Julie Zickefoose

1. FILL IN THE TOP PART OF THE DATA FORM
   
2. COUNT THE PIGEONS IN YOUR FLOCK
   
   1. Count the total number of pigeons. Record this Flock Count on the Data Form. Estimates are okay!
   2. Count the number of pigeons of each color morph and record these Color Counts on the Data Form.
   3. While you count, watch for courting birds. If two birds are courting, record their colors on the Data Form.

    

3. REPEAT YOUR COUNT (optional)
   Follow Step 2. "COUNT THE PIGEONS IN YOUR FLOCK" above, making complete second PigeonWatch Flock, Color, and Courtship Counts.
   
   
4. Send your data to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

PigeonWatch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850