Public Assistance Guide
Found a Lost Pigeon?
Thank you for caring for one of our athletes. Follow this guide to secure the bird, feed it safely, read its ring numbers, and help us get it home.
1
Diet, Hydration & Security
A racing pigeon that lands in your yard is usually just exhausted or dehydrated from a tough flight.
- Water: Pigeons suck water up like a straw. Provide a heavy bowl (so it won't tip) with water at least 2 to 3 cm deep.
- Food: Uncooked rice, lentils, split peas, wheat, or wild bird seed.
- Security: Gently coax the bird into a well-ventilated cardboard box to protect it from cats, dogs, or hawks overnight.
🚫 DO NOT FEED BREAD OR MILK: Bread has zero nutritional value for recovery, and pigeons cannot digest dairy.
2
The 24-Hour "Rest & Release" Rule
Many pigeons are not actually lost; they simply need a safe "pit stop" to recover their energy.
- If the bird looks healthy and is not injured, keep it safe, fed, and hydrated overnight.
- The next morning, open the box in an open area away from pets.
- Nearly 80% of the time, an exhausted racing pigeon will simply fly up, circle to get its bearings, and head straight home on its own!
3
Report & Seek Help
If the bird does not leave after a day of rest, or if it arrived injured, it needs your help.
- Search the ring number on our homepage. If the owner is registered, you can click to WhatsApp them directly.
- If not found, add it to our Live Notice Board. Our national network will help trace the owner.
- Injured? Contact your local SPCA or a nearby Vet. Most vets will treat wild or found birds at no charge.
Registered racing pigeons often wear multiple bands on their legs. Here is what you are looking for:
1. The ID Ring (Search This One)
This is the official registration ring, usually made of metal covered in hard plastic. It contains the letters and numbers you need to type into our search bar.
ZA TRPF 24 12345
- ZA: Indicates the pigeon is registered in South Africa.
- TRPF: The Union or Federation letters.
- 24: The year the pigeon was hatched.
- 12345: The bird’s unique serial number.
2. The Electronic Timing (ETS) Ring
Often found on the other leg, this is a bulky plastic or rubber ring, sometimes with a barcode or visible microchip. You can ignore this ring. It is only used to clock the bird's flight time during a race and does not contain contact info.
3. Name & Number Rings
Many careful owners clip a third, smaller ring onto the pigeon's leg that simply has their direct cell phone number printed on it. Look closely for these!
What if the pigeon has no rings at all?
If the bird does not have any bands on its legs, it is a feral (wild) street pigeon. It does not belong to a racing loft. Unless it is injured and needs to go to the SPCA, please let it go so it can return to its wild flock.