Our Pigeon Flock

We have a nice pigeon aviary that houses 20-25 King Pigeons and Roller Pigeons at a time. They enjoy their swings, perches, cubbies, bathing tubs and greens. Many of them form a permanent bond with another pigeon and will share a cubby with them and bring food to each other.

Most of our King Pigeons are rescued by San Francisco Animal Care and Control and come to live with us if they don’t get adopted. They are usually found on the streets and are rescued because they are domesticated and unable to survive for very long in the wild. They are often raised for meat, called squab, and are sold at wet markets. It is believed that some people purchase and release them, which is how they end up on the streets. Another way pigeons end up on the streets are ones that get lost after dove releases at weddings.

Many of the Roller Pigeons are rescued by Palomacy, a pigeon rescue group. Roller Pigeons are selectively bred to have seizures at high altitudes, which causes them to flip backwards while flying. This cruel practice amuses some people and there are competitions where the pigeons’ “performances” are judged.

Several pigeons and doves gathered around a wooden feeding trough with lettuce, in an outdoor setting with stone paving and a small animal house or cage in the background.

Several pigeons and doves gathered around a wooden feeding trough with lettuce, in an outdoor setting with stone paving and a small animal house or cage in the background.

A white pigeon inside a wooden enclosure with leaves and nesting material on the ground.

A white pigeon inside a wooden enclosure with leaves and nesting material on the ground.

Two wooden birdcages with pigeons and doves inside, some perched on top and outside, in an outdoor aviary. There are other bird accessories and natural background behind the cages.

Two wooden birdcages with pigeons and doves inside, some perched on top and outside, in an outdoor aviary. There are other bird accessories and natural background behind the cages.

Two white pigeons inside a wooden cage, sitting on a black plush perch.

Two white pigeons inside a wooden cage, sitting on a black plush perch.

Several pigeons, including brown and black ones, gather around a wooden planter with leafy greens on a stone-paved floor, with a wire fence and outdoor enclosure in the background.

Several pigeons, including brown and black ones, gather around a wooden planter with leafy greens on a stone-paved floor, with a wire fence and outdoor enclosure in the background.

A close-up of a pigeon with a round body, sitting on wood shavings, and another pigeon in the background, inside a wooden enclosure.

A close-up of a pigeon with a round body, sitting on wood shavings, and another pigeon in the background, inside a wooden enclosure.

Multiple pigeons inside and outside a wooden birdcage and nesting boxes in a bird enclosure. One pigeon is perched on a branch above the enclosure, while others are sitting or standing on the nesting boxes and inside the cages.

Multiple pigeons inside and outside a wooden birdcage and nesting boxes in a bird enclosure. One pigeon is perched on a branch above the enclosure, while others are sitting or standing on the nesting boxes and inside the cages.

A pigeon standing on the edge of a weathered wooden box against a rough wooden wall.

A pigeon standing on the edge of a weathered wooden box against a rough wooden wall.

Six pigeons inside a wooden coop with wood shavings on the floor and a wooden shelf in the background.

Six pigeons inside a wooden coop with wood shavings on the floor and a wooden shelf in the background.