Pet Pigeon---Unfit Mother :(

Question
Hello Jon,
I am hoping you can help me.
I am an animal lover and last Thanksgiving, I saw a pigeon in a corner tossed
away with a blanket and some food on the ground.
Last Thanksgiving in NYC was cold, rainy and miserable and the pigeon, now
named November was cold and trembling.  My boyfriend and I picked it up
and took it home.  
I still have November, but I fear terribly that I am not the write parent for it (I
thought it was a female, but because of all its cooing now wonder if its a
male!).
Anyway, I bought her (we'll say female for now) a beautiful cage, the biggest I
could find and that would suit my apartment (again I am a fashion designer
and did not go with a coup instead a beautiful vintage cage), she now hits the
tips of her wings and tail and I hate this.  
I also don't let her fly because I get so upset with how terrified she is when I
try and catch her and put her back in her cage---I always thought this was
worse than being let out, but I just read how much they love flying and that
really upsets me.
I don't know if you would like my gorgeous all white November or know of
someone who does that would treat her well.  I would be so grateful to hear
back with any advice.
And, especially to learn of a caring and respectful parent for her.

All the best,
Sylvie & November

Answer
Hi, Sylvie,

I'm not Jon, but I'll answer your post.

You and your boyfriend did good by taking in this pigeon.  However, pigeons do need room to fly...they don't belong in a cage.  The cage is also too small if the bird's wings and tail hit anything inside the cage.  They also love to bathe in the rain and bask in the sun, so an outside loft with an aviary is the best housing for a pigeon, not a cage, unless the cage is extremely large and provides enough room for plenty of exercise.

I can't take your bird and I don' know anyone personally in NY that might.  However, you can look at the pigeon club listings at www.pigeon.org (American Racing Pigeon Union) and find your city and state and ask if they know of anyone in one of the Clubs that might want the bird.  Otherwise, you can put an ad in the paper, etc., to see if you get any takers.