A box containing packaged lateral flow tests for Adenovirus, Salmonella and Paramyxovirus
Our Pigeon Project bulk buys lateral flow tests & provides them to rescues at cost. Since October we've provided >1500 tests, saving rescues thousands. We've just spent another £2000 on tests which is a big cost for a tiny charity. You can support this work at pigeonproject.org.uk/donate
#pigeonsky
Actually studies have shown pigeons are smart. Corvids are better at abstract thinking (so more likely to realise that person on bike still equals person) whereas pigeons rely more on patterns and experience. It's just a different way of learning shaped by ecological needs.
Remind me, which wild bird species use lavatories and understand the concept of traffic?
A freckle faced pigeon sits in his nest - made from storage cubes and a vegetable rack - and peeks out as if spying on the neighbours
Piggy is on nest duty but apparently suffering with FOMO
#pigeonsky
A pigeon sits on a human's foot, head to one side peering comically at the camera. Cleaning implements and a rubbish bag are nearby.
Kiwi 'helping' with aviary cleaning 🥰
Piggy is a high flyer who got lost and was trying to find his way into flats. He lives here now and is paired with Riley.
Soya is a high flyer who came to us with salmonella which people had tried to treat by shoving a clove of garlic down his throat. All that did was give him a respiratory infection as well! He's recovered now, currently single and we're not certain is he's male or female.
Kiwi is a feral pigeon who came in as a baby with a head injury and eye damage. He is partially sighted and possibly a tiny bit brain damaged which has left him totally tame and delightfully curious and mischievous.
A bit of posing in the aviary this morning. Individual details in the ALT.
#PigeonSky #Pigeons
A young, dark coloured feral pigeon stands on a perch in a pet carrier. Her legs are wide apart and her chest puffed up giving her a proud, defiant look.
Scampi was found near Victoria station with a swollen, broken wing. Likely an unsuccessful attempt was made on her life by 'pest' control. As the break is on her elbow joint, it's sadly doubtful she will fly again. But she is fierce and not giving up. She will have a home for life here.
#PigeonSky
A pigeon sits on a plush pink and grey mini sofa in front of a window.
Miss Cooper, our most disabled pigeon resident, is indoors for the winter so she can have a bit of pampering.
I bought her a guinea pig sofa & before I had a chance to set it up in her enclosure, she flew over & settled on it to see what was going on outside 🥰
#PigeonsOfBluesky #StarlightCooper
It's been a busy year with a couple of big projects completed or launched. We're really proud of what we achieved in 2025. You can read all about it in our annual report - starlighttrust.org.uk/annual-repor...
I've just done our annual accounts and found we spent about £300 on seed last year! They're so worth it though :)
Happy New Year Pigeon Fans! I started the year spending some quality time with our sanctuary residents 🕊 😍
#PigeonSky
A white pigeon with dark wing tips and tail lays on a concrete ground. Her head is upside down and her face is noticeably messy and sticky.
The same pigeon sits on a branch in an aviary, now with a lot more dark colouring speckled across her body. She is objectively beautiful as well as round and glossy with health.
Sashi almost exactly 3 years apart.
Her sinuses were so infected that she had severe neurological symptoms. Yet she immediately squeaked to be fed.
She had a long road to wellness but look at her now! She is a permanent resident as she still has occasional neuro symptoms.
#PigeonSky #GlowUp
Camilla is a domestic pigeon who has been straying around the local area this week. Alt: A small, almost entirely white pigeon sits on a perch inside a cat carrier. She is looking off to the side and the shadows falling on her face make her look like she is deep in thought.
This is Fozzie, a young racing pigeon who sadly suffered a broken wing during her first race. Alt: A young but large racing pigeon inside a cat carry box. She is staring at the camera quite intensely.
Soya is a high flyer who was suffering with salmonella. He's had a long journey but is now on the mend and should move outside soon. Alt: A grey and white pigeon poses handsomely within a cage. His wing is a little dropped (unfortunately, a common effect of salmonella in pigeons).
We are officially still closed to new pigeons as our permanent space is full and then some. But the odd one keeps sneaking in. These are our 3 current guests. Click the pics to learn more about them.
#PigeonSky
Apologies, we didn't get a notification of your post. We did have some technical issues with the site but they are all sorted now. I hope you were able to find some help for the fox.
Two pigeons cuddle in a nest cup. On the left is a handsome red boy with a large cere and pronounced eye rings, showing he is a dominant male. On the right is a pretty chequered girl. She is glaring at the camera as if to say 'can we have some privacy please?'.
He's a 3 year old ex-racer with one wing, she's a 10+ year old feral with PMV damage but they fell instantly in love and will celebrate two years together soon. Here's Turnip (left) and Joy (right) having a snuggle in the sunshine this morning 🥰
#StarlightTurnip #StarlightJoy #PigeonsOfBluesky
We're looking for someone to help out with some admin tasks. It's a perfect role for someone who is passionate about animals but isn't able to do hands-on animal care. You can make a difference for animals from the comfort of your sofa. Visit starlighttrust.org.uk/volunteer to apply.
#Volunteer
A pigeon with a balding head sits happily on a humans foot, as seen from above
Sometimes, aviary cleaning has to pause while Forrest sits on my foot 🥰
#PigeonSky
A cartoon. The left panel says 'how some see pigeons' and below the text is a drawing of a scraggy looking rat with wings and red eyes. The right panel says 'how pigeons really are' and below the text is a drawing of a plump, shiny pigeon with sparkly eyes and a smiley face.
Owing to other pressures, we've produced a very short report on our activity in 2024. You can read it here - starlighttrust.org.uk/annual-repor...
In short...
102 animals cared for
343 samples tested for pigeon rescues
Over £2000 raised for wildlife rescues
840 animals helped through our helpdesk
This is heartbreaking! Please, please keep dogs on a lead around waterfowl. These tragedies are all too common.
We're, 50,000 of us, half way to a Westminster Hall debate on the future of driven grouse shooting. Thank you to those who have signed and those organisations who have shared and promoted this petition petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
A very pretty, proud pigeon with two eggs tucked underneath her
New girl 'Pidge' has paired up with ex-racer boy 'Fleece' and they've laid their first eggs. They'll be swapped with fake eggs as we don't breed our birds but first I had to capture how beautiful and proud she looks atop her potential babies.
"The RSPCA urged residents to use humane deterrents for rodents instead of rodenticide poison, which can harm animals and children."
Kudos to the RSPCA and South Essex Wildlife Hospital for this save.
A very pretty pigeon has climbed into a storage container filled with seed and is having a rather lovely time
Well, please, just help yourself! #PigeonSky
A sketch of two pigeons. The text reads 'Please treat us better. We haven't done anything bad to you. Thank you.'
Image of a deceased Oystercatcher alongside the wording: Please report sightings of dead birds.
Please report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza.
📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep...
📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae...
📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report
#Ornithology #UKBirding
A white and black pigeon sits in a carry box on a towel. She cannot stand, her feathers are grubby and her eyes are half closed. She looks very unwell.
Two pigeons perch on a person's hand in a sunny park. The bird on the right is the same white and black pigeon as in the previous picture. Now she is plump, clean, and healthy looking.
Left: Frosty on admission 01/03/24
Right: Frosty today after 7 months back in the wild 😀
#StarlightFrosty #PigeonSky
A six-panel comic. In panel 1, there's a pigeon standing awkwardly next to a pile of sticks with two eggs on it, and the panel is titled "Why pigeons make bad nests: A defense of pigeon aesthetics." In panel 2, a pigeon sits on a pile of sticks: "Many people think that pigeons are bad at making nests. Here are three good reasons why pigeon nests look bad." In panel 3, there's "Reason 1: Some birds, like orioles, nest in tree branches, so they weave elaborate structures that can withstand the elements..." And there's a female Baltimore Oriole weaving an elaborate hanging nest in a silver maple tree. In panel 4, "...but rock pigeons evolved to nest in crevices in cliffs, safely tucked away." And there's a pigeon sitting on a nest in a hole in a cliff. In panel 5, "Reason 2: People domesticated pigeons ages ago. Pigeons didn't need fancy nests because they had human-built homes." A beautiful dovecote shelters a flock of pigeons. In panel 6, "Reason 3: Less time making nest = more time eating seed." A pigeon pecks a seed near its nest, and says "It's called math."
Why Pigeons Make Bad Nests: A defense of pigeon aesthetics
The golden rule when feeding any wildlife - don't let them know it was you! It's never good for wild animals to associate people with food. It puts them at risk from malicious people and can lead to nuisance behaviour, which can cause conflicts. Please feed discreetly and always keep your distance.
