Found a fledgling - now what?

[Caymania]

I have what seems to be a grey pigeon fledgling sitting in my driveway.
It is about the size of my hand, appears to be very well-feathered apart from the back of its head and neck. Tail feathers are about one inch long. The bird is unafraid and is just sitting there.
I'm not sure if I should just leave it out there?
I don't see any parents around and the bird is not making any sounds. It seems alert enough and not "droopy".

[Caymania]

Took a walk around the house because the fledgling had disappeared. Came upon it sitting by the backdoor, the parent flew up and into a nearby tree.

Do I need to do anything ... the baby is sitting on the ground with no cover around it and I'm worried a magpie or rodent might get it.

[Pidgey]

Can you take a picture and post it? Do keep him safe but let's try to figure out what it is that you've got.

Pidgey

[Pidgey]

You can go to this webpage and confirm that it's a pigeon and, if so, how old it is:

http://www.speedpigeon.com/baby_racing_pigeon.htm

Pidgey

[Caymania]

We have feral cats and dogs, as well as magpies and rodents in the area.
So I need to know how to keep it safe.
Can I move the bird into a box and put it on my garden table, get it off the ground somehow, would the parents still come and feed it?
I need to leave the house for a couple of hours soon, and I dont want to come back to find a flurry of feathers is all that is left of it.

[Pidgey]

Well, if you can put it in a box or even under a laundry basket for safekeeping, that would be real good. Have you looked at the pictures in the link to make sure that it's a pigeon?

Pidgey

[cyro51]

You could take it inside, then allow it to have outings during which its parents can feed it during "safe" periods. Last week I was alerted by a friend who had seen two baby pigeons with short tails on the ground. By the time I got into town to pick them up one had been killed by traffic...they are really very vulnerable on the ground.

Unlike some birds pigeons do not live on the ground for a while after leaving the nest, although once they are fledged their parents will continue to feed them for a few days. When they fledge they leave the nest for short exploratory flights, usually guided by the father bird.

Cynthia

[Pidgey]

Who knows, you might even be located near a Pigeon-Talk member that can help. Where, basically, are you?

Pidgey

[Caymania]

Oh wow, the parents will hang around and do that? I am amazed!

Found out that Speedy had found his way into a flower bed and is definitely more alert and energetic. Had to chase him a bit to get the photos. I hope I've managed to attach them correctly. As you can see, he looks very pigeon-like (at least to me, and a parent I mentioned earlier was definitely a pigeon), and is well-feathered, but he has that odd featherless patch on the back of his head and neck.

He is definitely at risk since he is not flying yet, so I'm trying to figure out what to do.

[Pidgey]

Pigeon nestlings usually don't leave the nest until they can fly. With as short of a tail as you're describing, he won't be flying for quite awhile, far too long given the local predators.

I don't see a picture.

Pidgey

[cyro51]

he has that odd featherless patch on the back of his head and neck.

That is usually the result of bullying.

Cynthia

[Caymania]

My browser keeps shutting down every time I close the "manage attachments" popup!
Can't figure out whether to stick to trying to get the pictures on the website or go out and catch the bird...

[Pidgey]

Go catch the bird first, then this stuff.

Pidgey

[cyro51]

Always secure your pigeon first.

I am curious about where you are...Caymania and feral dogs suggests the Cayman Islands to me.

Cynthia

[Caymania]

Got the bird in a box. Phew. Speedy is the right name for it!

Had to look around for it, it had wandered around to the backdoor again, and was somehow up on the 6 inch high step this time.
Had to chase it around a bit, it's a pretty fast runner! It fluttered its wings as it tried to get away but stayed firmly put on terra firma... Wings seem pretty well-feathered. No "fuzz" anywhere on it.

I definitely cannot get the pictures on the website. The little popup seems to cause my browser to freeze and then close. Done this about 10 times. Can I send the pictures to one of you who can do this please?
send me yr email addr, mine is s_marcussen2003 at yahoo com
Thanks!

Somebody asked where I am, I'm in the Cayman islands.