August 14, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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Sassafras Starlene

Guest Post by Michelle Norman & Heather Hohlowski

In early July, the Palomacy Phone Team answered a call from a person who noticed a domestic pigeon with a serious chest wound. We asked them to catch her, which they did, and then asked if they could take her to Medical Center for Birds, in Oakley, California. And they did that too – and stayed throughout the appointment. She was given the name Sassafras and stayed at MCFB for a couple of days before going to her foster home with Michelle, a longtime Palomacy volunteer.

Sassafrass asking for help

Sassafras is a young pigeon racing survivor – only six months old when rescued. She likely got lost and attacked on her first race, a sadly common occurrence. It was clear that Sassafras had been caught by a hawk who had begun to eat her alive. She was torn open from the start of her throat almost to the end of her keel and yet, amazingly, was still able to get away and then, even more amazingly, live long enough to be rescued alive.

Sassafras had significant chest injuries

After three days of in-hospital wound treatment, she arrived to foster care still traumatized from her ordeal – and she did NOT want to be picked up. She would flail around, clawing at Michelle. As she adjusted to her new surroundings, Michelle began wrapping her in a soft blanket and just sitting and snuggling with her: “I would adjust the blanket for her comfort and I preened her head. I would do this and she would begin to calm down. Then I added foot massages to our routine!”

Sassafras gets cozy under a blanket

After four weeks of care and compassion, Sassafras began to trust her foster mom: “It wasn’t long before she was napping on my lap. She watched the routine of my other birds and fosters and grew comfortable in her new surroundings. She had her first outdoor time and returned to her crate – her safe place – all on her own. Her chest wound is just about healed and she has two male suitors on either side of her wanting to make her their wife. A beautiful ending to a tragic start. I decided to add Starlene to her name since she is a darling pigeon.”

Sassafras Starlene thanks you!

Please donate to ensure birds like Sassafras Starlene can get the avian vet care they need.

August 14, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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Cornell’s Journey

Guest Post by Nicole Smith

Cornell being adorable

Cornell is one of Palomacy’s “long timers.” He has been loved and cared for by Palomacy fosters for more than seven years. In his time with Palomacy, he has never taken a mate, but he has made lots of friends. Cornell is a quiet, gentle, distinguished bird. He is easy to get along with, and tends to form friendships with gentle single birds and friendly couples. He is comfortable around people and enjoys being perched on a computer or finding a nice bookshelf to occupy near a human friend.

Early this year, we discovered that he has a large renal tumor. After some debate, we decided to treat him with chemotherapy. Amazingly, after four treatments, the tumor has shrunk dramatically in size. His symptoms have been improving with each treatment, but the difference in size still surprised us in the best way possible. We plan to continue chemotherapy for multiple more treatments, and his vet thinks it’s possible that the treatments could end up either curing him or making a quick excision possible.

Cornell is currently thriving in foster care, and we’re very excited to see that we have been making a positive difference for his daily life.

Heartfelt thanks to our donors whose generous support ensures Palomacy can provide the avian vet care rescued and fostered pigeons and doves need.

Donate to ensure birds like Cornell can get the avian vet care they need.

August 6, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on 2026 Calendar Contest Top 10 Fundraisers

2026 Calendar Contest Top 10 Fundraisers

Wow!!!! So many amazing images of such wonderful birds! It is truly extraordinary to be part of such a loyal community. Treat yourself to seeing everybirdy here. 2026 Palomacy Wall Calendars can be pre-ordered here and will begin shipping 12/1/25.

We love our rescued and adopted pigeons and doves every day, 365 days a year. And we love honoring your birds in our Palomacy calendars, shared all over the world! And your support for this special fundraiser helps birds every day.

Thank you to our entrants and voters, who submitted 127 incredible images and raised $7,861 for pigeons and doves. We are looking for additional submissions to include in the 2026 365-Day Virtual Calendar. These can be emailed to heather@pigeonrescue.org – and please remember to include a story of at least 50 words. We will be announcing the wall calendar winners soon. We’d also like to extend an extra-special thanks to our Top Ten Fundraisers, whose photos raised a total of $4,461. These 10 are highlighted below – click their photos to read the birds’ stories.

#10 Moshi by Mayra M., Jackson Heights, NY

#9 Scallywag by Barrie G., San Pedro, CA

#8 Mikuni by Bryan L., San Francisco, CA

#7 Helly by Katie F., Quincy, MA

#6 (Tie) Ziggy by Kayley K., Sparland, IL

#6 (Tie) Raven on Norah’s Shoulder by Jenny S., Folsom, CA

#5 Noir by Katie K., Staunton, VA

#4 Palomacy Pigeons by Cam A., Fair Oaks, CA

#3 Wally the Wonder Pidge by Ginna L., Aromas, CA

#2 (Tie) Woody by Leanna W., ​​Raymond, IL

#2 (Tie) Lux by Teri H., Des Moines, IA

#1 (Tie) Pirate & Merritt by Jill S., Martinez, CA

#1 (Tie) Alfred & Her Husbird Thistle by Elizabeth Y., San Francisco, CA

Thank you to each and every one of you – rescuers, adopters, fosters, volunteers, photographers, artists, voters, donors and advocates! Together we are changing the course of the future for these amazing birds, from abuse to appreciation, from exploitation to adoption.

August 1, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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2025 Summer Auction

Announcing Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Rescue & Adoptions’ 2025 Summer Auction. This year’s theme is Pigeon Diplomacy!

Right now is the time to donate items to the auction. Items can be added any time before or even during the auction.

Bidding opens AUGUST 15 at 12 PM PST and ends AUGUST 25 at 6 PM PST. New items will be added daily throughout the auction — so check the website often! Treasures include people gear and bird gear — art, jewelry, books, antiques, PLUSHIES, clothing, experiences, and so much more!

Participating in Palomacy’s Summer Auction through bidding on and donating items allows us to continue our life-saving work rescuing and supporting pigeons and doves in need. 100% of the proceeds from the auction go directly to helping birds.

Bid and Donate Items here.

MAKE A BID ― SAVE A BIRD!

July 5, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon

Guest Post by Sandra Nickel

People often ask: “What inspired you to write Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon?” The quick answer is, “Pigeons. And also, my daughter.” But there’s more to the story than that.

I was sitting at my desk, thinking about kids who feel different from other kids. Kids like my daughter, Olivia. And, well, like me, when I was her age.

At the same time, I was reading about pigeons. And when I say “reading,” I really mean researching. National Geographic. The New York Times. Papers on ResearchGate. One article led to another and they all added up to a glorious year of learning about pigeons.

One day I read that pigeons are born into the world two at a time. Not one, or three or five. Two. When I read that, I knew I had my story about being different. I thought, What would happen if only ONE egg arrived? That would mean this little pigeon was seen as different from the day he was born.

I also discovered that some scientists believe pigeons find their way home by using their eyes. But other scientists believe they “smell” their way home. I took this split in science and made the flock visually oriented and gave Seven an extraordinary sense of smell. With that, the stage was set.

I then took all those pigeon facts — remember, the ones from the glorious year — and I used them as a template for the story. I placed Seven and his fictional flock in a world that resembles that of real pigeons. This was a unique way of writing for me, but so much fun. The “About Pigeons” section at the end of the book is actually my way of pointing out the many ways that the pigeon world in Seven is true to the actual world of pigeons.

For school visits, I use this unique way of writing to teach kids about pigeons. I first read Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon to them. I then lead the students through a pigeon quiz, where they sort out what is fiction in the story (can pigeons really talk?) and what is factual (do both mother and father pigeons really raise their kids?).

If you are interested in taking the quiz, you can find it below or on my website. Enjoy!

About Sandra Nickel:

Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books coming out in Spring 2025: Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Sandra continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.

Sandra holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and has presented workshops throughout Europe and the United States. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. To learn more about Sandra, and to download free curriculum materials and activity sheets, visit sandranickel.com.

July 5, 2025
by Elizabeth
Comments Off on Get Ready for the U.K. Pigeon Advocacy Conference

Get Ready for the U.K. Pigeon Advocacy Conference

Guest Post by Susan Joyce, Little Green Pigeon

Happening Saturday 20th September in Staffordshire, England and on Zoom

Little Green Pigeon C.I.C., the National Pigeon Advocacy Association, Advocacy for Pigeons and Shakira Free Miles present

The UK National Pigeon Advocacy Conference

The world’s first event promoting the health and wellbeing of all pigeons aimed at helping rehabbers to help the birds!

This day of education and entertainment is open to everybody who has an interest in caring for town and city pigeons and ex racers, those who rehab pigeons and look after rescue pigeons as pets in their home or wish to start a pigeon sanctuary.

We have a fantastic group of speakers

Richard Saunders: a Veterinary Surgeon who specialises in wildlife and pigeons, talking about how we can approach practices to ask for help with birds, along with care of most common illnesses,

Aneesa Malik: A Registered Veterinary Nurse specialising in wildlife and pigeons talking about first aid and pain management

Shakira Free Miles:  A Registered Veterinary Nurse and animal rights activist talking about how we can help birds as veterinary staff in practice and ethical euthanasia

Sam Crick: an incredible animal rights activist and stringfoot specialist, talking about how to effectively catch and contain pigeons and string-foot care techniques

Jen Beaseley: a wildlife physiotherapist talking about physio and its place in pigeon rehab

Sue Joyce: Founder of Little Green Pigeon C.I.C. and The National Pigeon Advocacy Association, talking about pigeon racing and why and how we need to get it stopped

Kenin Newall: founder of Humane Wildlife Solutions, talking about how to free pigeons trapped in netting within the law

Plus others to be confirmed

We have representatives from international animal rights charities, merch stalls and more!

Food and drink is included in the ticket price

We have two networking sessions to meet and chat to rehabbers from all around the world, then evening entertainment from professional recording artist ‘Vegan Queen V’ and Ornithological Comedy from Dawn Chorus!

Saturday 20th September 2025 in Staffordshire, England.

The conference centre has accomodation information available about their on-site hotel.

The talks can be watched via zoom with a £20 zoom ticket

This is all available on the website

Thank you to our sponsors:

Veganism in Education

Vegan Accountants

Freedom for Animals

Animal Aid

Moose’s Flock

Palomacy Pigeon and Dove Adoptions

Zero Four Six Eight

Instagram page

@ukpigeonconference

 

Thank you

Sue and the Team

June 13, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on History of a Pigeon Bromance

History of a Pigeon Bromance

Guest Post by Heather Hohlowski

EVERYTHING BEGAN WITH SUNNY
Sunny was a German Owl pigeon, surrendered to Palomacy in 2022. She and her husband Slim came to us as temporary fosters for about a month.

Slim and Sunny

About five weeks after settling into their new long-term foster home, Sunny was attacked by other pigeons in the aviary and was found in the morning, scalped and huddled in a corner. Unfortunately, pigeons are known to sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior against a member of their flock who appears ill. We believe that’s what happened with Sunny, as her foster mom noticed she had not been herself the afternoon before the attack.

After being treated at Medical Center for Birds (“MCFB”), Sunny spent five weeks as a medical foster with the amazing Cheryl. Sunny then moved back in with us once again. We had a peaceful three months before Sunny began looking a little “hunched.” Suspecting she was egg-bound, I tried providing a steam treatment, to no avail. So the next day, I drove her up to Medical Center for Birds, where an ultrasound showed a large abdominal mass. Surgery revealed it to be what Dr. Speer called a “fossilized egg,” which he removed, along with her uterus.

Left: Sunny exhibiting signs of egg-binding. Right: Sunny receiving steam therapy.

SUNNY MEETS NICK
While recovering at MCFB, Sunny won the heart of Nick, a vet tech, and spent morning rounds happily riding around on his shoulder. Because it was recommended that Sunny no longer live with a male bird (due to the risk that she could potentially lay an egg that would be deposited into her abdominal cavity), we were looking for a new foster home for Sunny. Nick quickly adopted her.

ENTER CHICKEN
Six months later, I was asked to babysit a woman’s Palomacy foster bird for a couple of weeks. Like Sunny, he was a German Owl pigeon. His mom brought him to me with his personal nest box and favorite blanket. About two weeks later, Chicken started showing signs of illness – he was lethargic, not really leaving his nest box, and not eating much.

Sunny stands on Nick’s stethoscope until he agrees to take her home

The handsome Chicken scopes out my aviary

You can guess what happens next – that’s right, I made another trip to Medical Center for Birds, and after a check-up and some bloodwork, it turned out he had psitticosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci. While Chicken was receiving treatment at MCFB, he met Sunny. It was a love connection, and Chicken was adopted! Nick, of course, kept a close eye on the couple, making sure there were never any signs of mating, which, as mentioned, Sunny needed to avoid. But Sunny had no interest and made her feelings known about the subject; Chicken remained a perfect gentleman.

A PIGEON NAMED RIGOR MORTIS?
Last year, Sunny passed away, leaving Chicken widowed and heartbroken. A few months passed. Then one day, a woman named Kathryn was at an appointment at Medical Center for Birds and stopped to chat with Nick about pigeons. That’s when Kathryn heard about the lonesome Chicken, and Nick learned about her rescued single-man pigeon, Rigor Mortis.

Kathryn had rescued Mr. Mortis from a person who had posted about rehoming him. She saw his living conditions and knew she needed to help. Of course, I had to ask Kathryn about his unusual name, and here’s the story: “I was talking with my family one day about what happens scientifically to your body when you pass away. I made the offhanded remark that “rigor mortis” would be a morbidly funny name for my rescued pigeon. And it stuck!”

Mr. Mortis was featured in Palomacy’s 2025 wall calendar!

After chatting, Kathryn and Nick decided to try some pHarmony, and Kathryn brought Chicken home for a playdate with Rigor Mortis. Mr. Mortis had never had another mate before meeting Chicken. But suddenly, a solid bromance was born. Though they prefer to have their own cages, they are best buds and love to hang out together.

Best buddies

2025 Pigeon Appreciation Art Contest Results!

June 13, 2025 by Heather Hohlowski


WOW! We are blown away by the talent and creativity of Palomacy supporters. We received so many amazing entries to our Art Fundraiser celebrating Pigeon Appreciation Day. Our donor’s offers was $25 per entry, up to a total of $1,000, which meant we needed 40 entries to receive the entire amount. We tripled that — 120 submissions from 70 artists from around the world. In addition to 21 states in the U.S., submissions came from eight countries: Japan, India, France, Germany, Canada, Austria, Italy, and Spain.

Congratulations to the artists who created our 15 favorite pieces (we couldn’t pick just 10). These entries display more than just artistic talent. They capture different aspects of the strong connection we have with pigeons and doves and their ability to find their way into our hearts. These pieces underscore the many things we share with these birds — from love and friendship to playfulness, resourcefulness, and strength.

Our Favorite 15 Entries

[Note: These are not in any specific order – they are all #1 to us!]

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The entry that we will win a spot on a future Palomacy t-shirt is this one, by McKenna VK, from Santa Barbara, California.

And here are all 120 entries. Thank you to all our wonderful participants — we are so grateful for the work you put into your entries, and for your compassion and love for pigeons and doves.

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June 13, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
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My Man, Twinkie

Guest Post by Heather Hamilton

Since rescuing my first pigeon in 2019, I have come to realize that pigeons are much like people, in that they each possess their own unique personality – exhibiting likes and dislikes, engaging in habits and hobbies, and developing distinct ways of interacting with the world around them.

Today, I would like to tell you a bit about my most recent rescue, Twinkie.

Twinkie Waits for Cuddles

Twinkie is a feral pigeon who was rescued as a fledgling and brought to an avian vet after being found with a severely splayed leg. A kind soul discovered Twinkie, and valued his life enough to bring him to a place where he would be cared for. Twinkie’s existence is a miracle, as pigeons often find themselves in a blindspot of compassion. Twinkie already beat the odds when his rescuer found the heart to invest time and energy into saving his life.

Soon thereafter, Twinkie was brought to the attention of Palomacy. Twinkie was placed in his first foster home, with a member of the pigeon-rescuing community that cared for him until relocating cross-country. “I adore her. She spent so much time just staring at me and napping, she’s such a special little bird.” (At the time, it was believed Twinkie was a girl. Now, it seems that Twinkie is likely a boy.)

In my four months of caring for Twinkie, I could not agree more – Twinkie is such a special little bird.

First off, Twinkie doesn’t know he’s a pigeon. He wants nothing to do with my other rescue pigeons and would prefer to spend all his time with me. He loves to be held and longingly waits for the next round of cuddles. When I have time for snuggles, he’s always ready. He exudes tiny grunts of pleasure as I pet his head.

Twinkie, Legal Secretary

I am an attorney at a non-profit legal aid organization, and Twinkie is an excellent legal secretary. Because of his splayed leg, he has a special chair designed for his comfort. He is comfortable in this chair or a little bed with a soft blanket underneath him. He will sit next to me, on my desk or on a chair, relaxing and making sure my legal arguments are sound. He only makes a little fuss when he’s gone “the bathroom,” because Twinkie is a classy man. Twinkie is also my only pigeon that isn’t bothered by wearing his pants.

Twinkie’s favorite food is safflower seeds, but they are not very healthy. “You have to eat more than French fries,” I tell him.

I feel grateful to have Twinkie in my life. I am thankful for the opportunity to know him, appreciate him, and care for him.

Twinkie Spends a Lazy Afternoon in Bed

Eventually, Twinkie will likely have his splayed leg amputated. It does not cause him discomfort, but it does on occasion get in the way of his wing. Palomacy will provide the funds for the surgery, to help Twinkie, as they do for countless pigeons and doves that are lucky enough to be loved by the organization and community of pigeon rescuers.

June 12, 2025
by Heather Hohlowski
Comments Off on 2026 Calendar Contest Starts 7/1

2026 Calendar Contest Starts 7/1

Mark your calendars! Get ready to submit lots of pictures! Palomacy’s 2026 Calendar Photo & Art Fundraiser runs July 1st through the 31st.

Your photo entries and votes support Palomacy and our culture-changing work. We appreciate your help celebrating these incredible, under-appreciated birds every day of the year! We know how special pigeons and doves are and we are showing the world!

Submit your best photos ($1/entry) and share with family and friends and ask them to vote! ($1/vote). All proceeds will help Palomacy to help more birds. You are literally shaping Palomacy’s future with your support.

Wall Calendar

Thirteen carefully selected winning photos will be immortalized in the 2026 Palomacy Wall Calendar. Your bird’s photo will be representing for rescued pigeons and doves in homes and busineses all over the world! Winners will also receive two full-color 2026 calendars and everyone can order them while supplies last.

Virtual Calendar

Our 365 Bird-A-Day calendar will be virtual again this year. Subscriptions will be free and we will post information on how to subscribe during the contest (& the link is here). The top 190 vote-getting entries will be featured in the virtual calendar, and the top 10 vote getters will be allowed to select the date they’d like their photo to appear and get a free wall calendar.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS AND LINKS TO THE CONTEST…