31/08/2026
Let's talk Imprinting.
We've noticed a lot of incorrect information about imprinting going around recently. Help us correct some myths and make life better for all birds.
What is it?
Imprinting can happen to many animals, but we are going to focus on pigeons, and pigeon-human imprinting. Imprinting is where a pigeon does not know they are a pigeon. Usually, they think they are human. It is irreversible. Always.
Why does it happen?
When a bird hatches they observe the world around them, what their parents and siblings look like, what they eat, what sounds they make. This is how they learn who they are. If the animals around them are human, they learn they are human.
What causes it?
1. Inexperienced rescue/rehabilitation techniques
People not knowing what they are doing, or not having an understanding of what imprinting is, can cause a bird to imprint on humans. Most rescues will mix birds of a similar age so they can learn from each other.
2. Rehabbing a young bird from a nasty injury
Sometimes, a very young bird cannot be mixed with other birds due to illness, infection, or injury. Despite a rehabber's best efforts to minimise the risk, the bird may imprint. This is a rare occurrence.
3. Purposeful imprinting
Some people purposefully imprint pigeons. They might think an imprinted bird is “cute”, or want imprinted birds for bird shows. We think this should be classed as animal abuse.
What's the problem?
Pigeons are social, flock animals. They need other pigeons around them to live truly fulfilling lives. If a pigeon is imprinted, they will only seek this socialisation from humans. This means they will never have a flock, friends, and a mate. They will always live with a confusion between their natural instincts , and the world they know. They will always need human care.
Myth: Its not a big deal
We adopted an imprinted bird. Sadly, due to her injuries as a baby, she needed a lot of human interaction. She is a happy and well loved member of the family, but she is always calling for a mate to come to her nest, always seeking something from us we can’t provide. She is only 1 year old, and she will spend the next 19+ years wanting something she has no way of getting, and no understanding of. She will never have a flock, and that is devastating.
Myth: you can undo this
This is incorrect. Imprinting is permanent. You might be able to encourage an imprinted bird to mix with other birds, but they will never understand they are one of them.
Lots of people confuse tame birds for imprinted birds. Some pigeons raised in rescue are very tame. This can be undone by mixing them with their own kind and limiting human interaction.
Myth: Imprinted birds make better pets
Here at Winged Wheels, we don’t believe in pets or the pet trade. Animals are not ours to own. We do believe in rescue and adoption of unreleasable birds. Pigeons can be wonderful companion animals, and nothing beats seeing a pigeon find their mate, and seeing them socialise as a duo/flock.
