Bit of a random question but I’m curious.
My birds react differently to me vs. my husband. They’re calm with me but flighty when he enters the loft - even though he feeds them half the time.
Do they actually recognize faces? Or is it smell, voice, movement?
Yes, they definitely recognize individual humans. Studies have shown pigeons can distinguish between human faces even in photographs.
They likely recognize:
Your husband might move differently, speak differently, or just approach the loft in a way they find less predictable. Pigeons are very sensitive to body language.
Absolutely. My birds will eat from my hand but fly away from visitors.
I think it’s mostly movement and approach. Experienced fanciers move slowly, predictably, calmly. New people tend to move quickly and make the birds nervous.
Tell your husband to slow down and keep movements smooth. They’ll get used to him.
I’ve read they can even recognize cars. Mine start getting excited when my truck pulls in the driveway but don’t react to my wife’s car.
Smart animals. People underestimate them.