repurposing pigeons

**Rawlinson** · 9th November 09, 03:32 AM

Walking around Pittsburgh, I can't help but notice the flocks of sporrans--erm, pigeons. Should I get my hands on a freshly dead one, how would I go about repurposing a pigeon? Is city pigeon safe to eat? Any general tips on making a face mask sporran for someone who's never even held one? Thanks.

**Bugbear** · 9th November 09, 03:40 AM

pigeon nuggets, or dove nuggets: the breast. Not much else to eat on them,.
I don't know anything about the sporran aspect of the question.

**Rawlinson** · 9th November 09, 03:49 AM

Yeah, it's probably not the best idea to eat one found dead... seems a shame to throw out the meat, though. Oh well, better to use the skin than waste the whole bird.

**Bugbear** · 9th November 09, 04:09 AM

Sorry, Rawlinson, I removed that part because I noticed that wasn't what you said in your post.

It's easy to get the breast out, but I won't go into it.

I really have no idea about using the... hide? Just stick the dead bird down in the middle of your compost heap, if you have one, and it will go to good use.

**Rawlinson** · 9th November 09, 04:25 AM

Similar to field dressing a pheasant?

I live in a dorm, so no compost.

The main idea here is to make a pigeon sporran: food is secondary to kilt accessories.

**BEEDEE** · 9th November 09, 05:41 AM

There is someone in Scotland who makes feather sporrans. Can't find the site right now, but here are some examples.http://www.flickr.com/photos/hockadilly/1042069084/

IMO town pigeons just are too dowdy.

Brian

**ThistleDown** · 10th November 09, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

There is someone in Scotland who makes feather sporrans. Can't find the site right now, but here are some examples.http://www.flickr.com/photos/hockadilly/1042069084/

IMO town pigeons just are too dowdy.

Brian

That would be Kate Macpherson, Brian. A very talented woman. Oh, and I have another very fine use for city pigeons, alive or having collided with windows

. View my avatar.

**Rawlinson** · 10th November 09, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

Oh, and I have another very fine use for city pigeons, alive or having collided with windows

. View my avatar.

That's all the persuasion I need to not hang a pigeon on my person at groin level.

**Bugbear** · 9th November 09, 07:16 AM

Hmmm, I wonder if a grackle (new world) would make an interesting evening sporran...

**Heming** · 9th November 09, 08:43 AM

I wouldn't eat any animal that grew up an lived on the town square, be it rat, pigeon or badger. Pigeons are really just rats with feathers (yuck).

I don't think the feathers will be much useful either - imagine the amount of lice and flees on a winged rat. Ugh, I disgust myself.

No, compost is the best use I'd say.