Found a baby pidgeon yesterday.

Yesterday as I was coming home from town I found a baby pidgeon standing under its nest, which happens to be on some very high air vents.

I hope I did the right thing in brining it back home with me, as he was also very close to a busy road, and he probably couldn't get back up to his nest.

I've been keeping him in a basket with a hotwater bottle, and feeding him tinned/dry cat food mixed with water, and also little bits of wet bread. I'ts not possible for me to get a feeding tube or formular, so I was wondering if what I am feeding him is alright?

He looks to be around 15-17 days old. I noticed earlier that he seems to be gasping a little, like a little cough or something... I gave him some water, and a tiny bit of food, and he's still doing it.

Is it possible for you guys to give me some advise?

[chakita]

I just took a picture of him. Sorry its not very good. I live in south east england, if that helps.

He looks very sick at the moment, and he's stopped cleaning himself. Also he seems to be 'coughing' more often. I'm not very sure if he's going to last the night, but I'd still like to help the best I can...

[PigeonQueen]

Hello, thank you for trying to help this poor pigeon.

Please try to keep the pigeon warm. I would not feed solid food if the pigeon is gasping.

Have you an eye dropper or a plastic spoon? Perhaps you could give small drops of water and honey just inside the side of the beak.

Where are you located?

There is a wildlife hospital in Surrey just on the outskirts of London.

Their phone number is 0208 647 6230. You can phone them anytime.

[John_D]

If you could gently open his beak, maybe you can tell us if there seems to be any kind of obstructive substance, yellowish/brown visible there. Just in case he has canker (Trichomoniasis) in his mouth. Could hinder breathing or mean that food gets stuck.

Otherwise, sounds like a respiratory problem, or that he may have taken water or some other substance into the lung.

Whereabouts in SE England are you, in case there is a wildlife rescue nearer to you?

John

[Jay3]

Be careful giving him water, as you can get it into the lungs very easily.

[chakita]

I'm in maidstone, and as for a local wildlife center, I'm not sure.

I've tried to look into his beak, but he makes it hard by moving his head too much. But from what I can see, there isn't anything there. It looks pretty normal to me.

[Jay3]

He may be ill, or he could have gotten water or food into his lungs. Hard to tell. Was he doing that before you fed him?

[Jay3]

If he looks like he's gasping, then don't feed him. Keep him warm and out of drafts.

[chakita]

I was out for a bit during the day, so I'd asked my dad to feed him for me. Probably a bad idea. He did say the bird didn't eat though. All I know is that he started gasping after I got back.

[Jay3]

Is he still doing that?

[chakita]

Yeah, he's still doing it, but I dont think he's doing is as much as what he was about an hour ago. Still enough for my concern though.

[Jay3]

Well, I wouldn't feed him while he's gasping. You don't want him to dehydrate, but I wouldn't give him water if he is gasping. You should probably wait till morning and see if he is doing better. Keep him warm and quiet. If he is doing better in the a.m., you can try the soaked cat or dog food, but make sure you soften it. Defrosted corn and peas warmed up to room temp or luke warm can be placed toward the back of his mouth. He should swallow them. I wouldn't give him soaked bread, as it may have too much water in it. He can get water in his lungs. If he is looking a bit better in the morning, try dipping his beak into a small bowl of water to see if he will drink it. The cat food, soaked will contain water, and so will the peas and corn if you have them. Please let us know how he is doing then. Thanks for helping him.