Found an adolescent(?) pigeon in SF. HELP!

[smartgirlinsf]

I live in SF, CA where pigeons are seen as street rats HOWEVER, I live on a small private gated street and we've had a pigeon family nesting near our building for years. I often see eggs that have been knocked out of the nest, but, more happily, I hear babies crying for their breakfast each morning.

This afternoon, I found a young pigeon (not a baby) that was knocked out of his parent's home. One of his wings might be damaged but I'm not sure. He wants to hide but at the same time, he's not particularly afraid of me.

I've got him in a box with a towel and a small amount of bread smushed and soaked in a little bit of milk. I think he even ate a bit.....

Here's the thing....SF is a no kill city but if I take him to Animal Control I know they will humanely euthanize him. Because he's not a typical SF pigeon (has a home and a family), I would love for him to get back to his parents (I can't get to his nest) but I don't know how to take care of him or how to properly evaluate him. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?!?!?!?!

[feralpigeon]

Hi and welcome to PigeonTalk and thanks for helping this youngster out.
I am familiar w/the local resources and can help you sort this out as well
as what is going on w/your little buddy. Check your private mail.

fp

[TAWhatley]

Hi Smartgirl and welcome to Pigeon-Talk. Thank you for assisting this young pigeon. You're in good hands with feralpigeon.

Terry

[Charis]

Hi Smartgirlinsf,
You and the little Pigeon are so lucky that we have our member, feralpigeon, in the Bay area. Feralpigeon will be able to assess the bird, advise you on care and share with you any resources in your area.
Thank you for taking this one in and your kind words.
Keep us posted.

[littlestar]

How's this little one doing? Would to hear about this little guy/gal.

[feralpigeon]

Hi MaryAnn et al,

I have the baby here at my house, smartgirlinSF brought the
bird here after work on the 20th, Thursday evening. The bird's
right foot had a difficult time grasping, though there was a very
slight response there. The bird is about 3 wks of age right now
and did have bruising to a pretty empty crop. I'm cautiously tube
feeding a mix of Kaytee and Whole Meal to the bird.

I didn't find an actual break to the bird's right foot, though there
was an uncanny rubbery quality to the foot that would also display
some minor response to handling. As I worked my way up from the
foot, the whole leg appeared almost deformed in comparison to the left side,
there was little muscle mass there in comparison to the other leg. After
passively manipulating the leg, this baby exhibited some minor use
when placed back down in the accomodations. This morning after
two plus days on Baytril, the baby is actually placing weight on the
foot and instead of a lifeless foot, his/her toes are spread apart
in the active weight bearing mode. The pungent odor to the droppings
is in decided retreat. S/he does have a "U" towel for comfort.

My initial take on the bird due to the odor present when first taking the bird
in was Paratyphoid, so I placed the bird on Baytril accordingly. With the
discovery of the lack of muscle mass to the right leg, I think it safe to say the bird wasn't using that leg for a while. I'm favoring the "Thrown baby from
the nest" scenario and thinking that baby was "ID-ed" by the parents and
luckily picked-up by smartgirlinSF.

I am cautiously optimistic that this feral will be releasable. If not, I will
see if Dr. Schuckman will accept the bird into his "unreleasables" aviary.

fp

[littlestar]

Fp, That poor little baby, but I know h/she is in good hands. I talked to smartgirlinSF on the phone and she said that this little one was going to you. I told her it couldn't be in better hands and I'm really glad you have h/her.

Thank you so much for letting me what is going on with this little one and for everything you are doing to help h/her, it's very much appreciated by me and I know by smartgirlinSF too. That is great if h/she can't be released that you have someone that will it take in. These little ones who come into your care are very lucky little birdies.

[feralpigeon]

An update on this little one....The baby continues improving. It started standing within the first fortyeight hours and is now standing most of the
time. The bird is bearing weight on the foot that was in question, and the
leg itself continues to regain muscle mass. The bird is in the process of transitioning from formula to self feeding, and, in general is looking very
much like a healthy youngster.

fp

[TAWhatley]

Thanks for the good news update, FP! I hope things continue to go well with this little one.

Terry

[littlestar]

Fp, That is really great news and thank you so much for the update on this little sweetie. Again, this little one couldn't be in better hands.

[Trees Gray]

I'm SO glad to hear the bird is doing so much better, thank you for taking such good care of this youngster.