found sick pigeon

[nitrogin]

Hi there.
Last week I found a sick pigeon that had lots of feather lice. I got the lice problem under control and have the bird flying around my house and in a cage sometimes. But last night when I went feed it or hold it it slaps my hand with its wing and squawks at me. It seems to be under a year old. So I don't know if I should keep it for a pet or let it back into the wild. I live in Alaska and it is wet and cold this time of year. Dose any one know if it will ever become tame ? or will it always be wild, I hold it every day and have gave it to baths to get rid of the lice. And it seems to be eating fine and drinking lots of water.
Just not sure what to do.

Thanks Steve

[Pidgey]

Is that squawking an actual squeaking sound or is it much lower, like a grunt?

Pidgey

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by nitrogin

Hi there.
Last week I found a sick pigeon that had lots of feather lice. I got the lice problem under control and have the bird flying around my house and in a cage sometimes.

But last night when I went feed it or hold it it slaps my hand with its wing and squawks at me.

It seems to be under a year old. So I don't know if I should keep it for a pet or let it back into the wild. I live in Alaska and it is wet and cold this time of year. Dose any one know if it will ever become tame ? or will it always be wild, I hold it every day and have gave it to baths to get rid of the lice. And it seems to be eating fine and drinking lots of water.
Just not sure what to do.

Thanks Steve

It sounds like the little one, although I'm sure is most grateful to you for getting the buggies off him, is feeling better & therefore displaying his defenses, of which are wing slapping & growling. These are good signs if you intent to release him when weather permits.

Cindy

[Charis]

HI Steve,
I think your little pigeon will stand a better chance at survival if you hold him/her over until spring time. Sounds like he/she has settled in nicely and is making him/herself right at home.