Library staff shocked when pigeon walks inside

By Elizabeth Hunter via SWNS

Library staff are in a flap - after a homing pigeon walked in.

Staff at Falkirk Library in Scotland think the bird was confused by strong wind and rain.

The team were able to entice the bird with crackers but it seemed listless and struggling to deal with the heavy downpours.

Staff noticed a tag on the pigeon's leg and created a makeshift nest before bringing him back into the library.

Librarian Lynne Graham got in touch with the Scottish Homing Union, who confirmed that the pigeon had likely come from Ayrshire and attempted to get in touch with the owner.

"On Monday morning the bird came right up to street cleaner Willie Marshall, who was at the back of the library, and it sat in front of his feet and then tried to shelter under his cart," said Lynne.

"When we opened the staff door, the pigeon just walked right in.

''We enticed the pigeon back out with some crackers, and he hid under the bin outside, but then we started to worry about him as he didn’t seem to be moving on.

"He just kept walking around the outside of the library and tried to come in whenever a door opened. The weather was horrible on Sunday and Monday here, lots of wind and rain, so we don’t blame him.

"In the end myself and my colleagues David and Eilidh corralled him and noted the number on his tag.

''We brought him into the staff entrance porch and made a nest for him in a box with some shredded paper and bought some bird seed.

"I got in touch with the Scottish Homing Union, who said it looked like the pigeon had come from Ayrshire and they would get in touch with the owner."

The team made an appeal on social media to find someone with aviary experience who could look after the pigeon - which they named Rabbie - until his owner was found.

Falkirk local and bird-lover Paul Morrison responded, quickly taking Rabbie home.

Noticing that Rabbie seemed malnourished, Paul came up with a plan to nurse the bird back to health.

After getting in touch with the original owner, Paul believes that Rabbie was part of breeding stock and had escaped - and Paul received permission to keep Rabbie himself.

Paul stated: "Rabbie will be staying with me to see if I can get him back to full health, so looks like he be staying in Falkirk after all.”

Librarian Lynne added: "Paul says that the pigeon was part of sale of pigeons who – the original owner thinks – had ended up out Edinburgh way.

"He said he was not a racing pigeon, but part of breeding stock, and had escaped. Paul showed us Rabbie’s chest and his breastbone was quite prominent, which meant he was quite undernourished.

"He’s since sent us a picture of Rabbie in his new home with a wee update.

"Paul believes Rabbie is only about 7-years-old, so with any luck he should have a long life ahead of him. Paul has promised to update us with his progress.

“The Falkirk Library staff became quite attached to him and kept popping in to check on him. He’s a very fluffy, beautiful bird and was obviously used to people. He certainly made our rainy Monday much more interesting, and we’ll look forward to Paul’s updates on his health.

“We’re really happy he made his way to the library – he clearly knows that libraries are safe, welcoming places for everyone – even pigeons!”

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