repurposing pigeons

[Rawlinson]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Bugbear]

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

[Heming]

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.

[csbdr]

Although Rock Doves (AKA pidgeons) can be very tasty, I would NEVER consider eating a city bird, certainly not one found dead. I wouldn't do this out in the country either, unless my own car was the cause of death, and then it depends on how much damage was inflicted......anyway I doubt the Pittsburgh Police would much appreciate shooting your own in town. As for the sporran, I'd be stunned if those birds didn't carry a wide assortment of parasites, etc. I take a pass if I were you. If you are really jonesing to make a bird sporran, I'd get hold of a full hide of something from a fly-tying supplier. You can get anything you want (well, almost, as long as legal....) and know it's prepped decently and safe to handle.

[Bigkahuna]

That's just too nasty to contemplate.