Clever, lucky Emily, self-rescued to the right home
Emily was our first 2026-banded bird of the year, a lucky survivor of a “basket cull”.
A “basket cull” is when a pigeon racer takes all the young birds who have just left the nest and started flying. They take them away from their home and “toss” them. The weak or bewildered ones get torn apart by predators, hit by cars, drowned in pools and rivers, or they starve. These aren’t just domestic animals — these are BABY domestic animals. The ones who make it back are subjected to being dumped at increasingly greater distances. They call it “training”. As the article (below) says “let the basket and the long race do your culling”.
Let the pigeon racers speak for themselves*
Pigeon racing is a blood sport. It has the highest death rate of any sport where the death of the animal isn’t the actual aim (such as bullfighting). Losing 60% of the birds in a race is not unusual.
.
Emily was catastrophically injured by a predator
We rushed Emily to medical care, but her wing could not be saved and needed to be amputated to save her life. She will never fly again. Emily did not deserve what happened to her. None of them do. Fortunately she is recovering well, and despite all she has been through, she is an exceptionally friendly bird! Pigeons can have wonderful lives even when they are robbed of flight. She’s even pursuing romance with another unflighted bird!
Now this precious girl needs a home where she will be cherished. If you have room in your heart and home, we can help you give her the happily ever after she deserves. Emily will inspire you every day!
.
Sweet Emily is learning to navigate the world without flight
