Page 7 - Kind News, May/June 2023

TO THE RESCUE

Meet Eggo
Meet Eggo

the Pigeon
the Pigeon

Did you know pigeons are the first birds that humans
domesticated, or kept as pets? They were bred and
trained for things like racing and delivering mail. Now, Feral or
you can find pigeons just about anywhere. But what Domestic?*
would happen if you found one in your backyard — and Most pigeons we see
they didn’t seem to want to leave? outside are called feral
Cynthia Zhou is a volunteer with Palomacy, a pigeon pigeons.
rescue organization in San Francisco, CA. One day, she Like feral cats, they are not friendly
got a call — a pigeon landed in a family’s backyard and to humans. Palomacy recommends
stayed for a week! Zhou thought she might be a domestic we leave feral pigeons alone because
pigeon. Sure enough, the pigeon had a band around her they can fend for themselves, unless
leg. The leg band meant she once belonged to someone they are hurt. But domestic pigeons
but got lost. They called the phone number on the band need help if they are out in the wild.
THIS PAGE: CYNTHIA ZHOU; NITTY DITTY/UNSPLASH.COM. great pets.* She brought the bird home and named her for a long time without a
many times, but no one responded.
You can tell if they’re domestic if
Zhou kept pigeons before, so she knew they could make
they are standing in one area
Eggo. She quickly found out what a special bird Eggo is.
flock, if they have a band on
their leg, or if they seem
“Every pigeon I’ve ever had has had such a distinct
weak or unable to fly.
personality. Eggo is the sweetest, silliest bird I’ve ever
met.” Eggo loves to snuggle in Zhou’s blankets and she’s
Learn more by visiting
even potty-trained to go in the toilet. Zhou says, “I wish
PigeonRescue.org!
more people knew pigeons can be cuddly, intelligent, and
love you very deeply.”

CRITTER CLUES

1 I am a reptile with a scaly back. I can be 4 My parietal eye, the small sensor
many different colors, including green, on top of my head, helps me detect
yellow, orange, or even pink! predators above me.

2 I have great eyesight — I use my eyes to 5 When I’m in danger, I use my tail to
find food, move through forests, and defend myself, and I can even detach it
communicate with others of my species! from my body to help me get away!

3 I use camouflage — blending into my 6 Depending on my species, I can live in
surroundings — to protect myself. many different habitats, like swamps,
deserts and rainforests.
WHat am I?

May/Jun 2023 | 7
RIDDLE ANSWER: HIP HOP