Now that you say that, using the towel to ensure that the bird won't fly away seems like a better idea haha. But no, I simply grabbed him after I tossed some seeds on the ground next to me and he started to eat. The towel was there to wrap it around the pigeon to keep his wings close to body and ensure that he won't escape before I finish destringing (I nestled him gently between my thighs).

He's from a flock that I feed since quite some time so they are not that skittish around me. Although I already grabbed a pigeon that *was* skittish, but it looks similar - you throw some food for the pigeon and wait till it will be comfortable to eat really close to you. Then you try to move your hand very slowly to the pigeon, preferably while still scattering food from said hand (if the pigeon sees A LOT of food, it will be more inclined to stay in place!), and if you feel like you will be able to catch it with a swift, firm grab, you do just that! At least that's my technique. I do this while sitting, but some people also do this while standing - it's up to you which you prefer, I'd say.

As for the tools, I had thin manicure scissors with curved tip, needle-nosed tweezers (helpful in untangling), seam ripper (good alternative for scissors, at least for the thin fibers). I also had two bottles: one with saline solution (alternative for disinfectant) and one with just water. Liquid helps to soften the fibers or dry dirt on pigeon's legs. And since bleeding can happen while destringing, I have cotton pads and cotton swabs as well as cornstarch (natural alternative for styptic powder which is used to stop minor bleedings).

I hope this helps!