Found young pigeon in building

[animal helper]

I found a pigeon in my building lobby I was able to catch it and I brought it inside my apartment to keep it safe. A neighbor told me he had seen it lurking around for several days. I suppose it somehow got inside the building or someone must have put it inside for some reason. I don't know its age, but it looks like a young pigeon. The pigeon doesn't seem to be able to fend for itself. I can easily catch it/pick it up with little effort and this worries me because If I release it, it can get caught pretty easily by predators and/or people. It also doesn't seem to be able to fly long distances. I am currently housing it in a pet carrier because I own several cats. I have provided water and fed it raw rice and some of my finch's seed and it ate a lot the first day but now it doesn't seem to be eating much. I don't know what to do from here I can't keep him/her in the cage forever but I also don't want to just dump it in the street to fend for itself. I would keep it if I didn't already have cats.

[Trees Gray]

Where are you located, perhaps we can find some help?

Follow the guidelines on this link:

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=8822

[plamenh]

It looks that your bird has some other problem beside being young. Find someone in your area to help you with the bird. Try avian vets, they should know rescuers or rehabilitators in NY.

[FloridaLuv]

I HAVE to start this by saying THANK YOU ... so very much for helping this pigeon out.. It was very very kind of you to pick him/her up and put it in a carrier. SO KUDOS to that!

Here are some resources in NY--- not sure where in NY you are but I hope this helps.

New York


Fairport Animal Hospital
117 North Main Street
Fairport, New York
585-388-1070
www.fairportanimalhospital.com

The Wild Bird Fund, Inc.
c/o Animal General
558 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10024
646-306-2862
Animal General is located on the northwest corner of Columbus and West 87th Street
http://www.wildbirdfund.com/

Also can you post a photo? It will help our members to know its age a little better.. and help you to know what to feed him/her... again... THANK YOU for helping this feathered friend!!!

[animal helper]

I will be posting a picture tomorrow. I don't know what to do. I am calling him a he now. He is getting stronger everyday. Now he really wants to get out of the carrier very badly. I don't want to keep him there anymore it makes me sad seeing him desperately want out. He keeps moving about a lot back and forth and going crazy but I can't let him out because I have cats. My room mate wants me to get rid of him because he keeps making a lot of noise.

[maryjane]

Thank you for taking care of this pigeon. You can offer him (defrosted) frozen corn and peas, and put them in his beak if he won't eat on his own. He should be ready to be released very soon if he's otherwise healthy, so assure your roommate that it hopefully will be short. Do you have a bathroom, bedroom or even large closet that you can "bird proof" (putting newspapers or old sheets, etc. over furniture) for a few hours to let him get some exercise? Then his wings will get stronger and he can be released. It will also keep him quieter when he is in the carrier, if he has some time out of it to practice flying. What do his poops look like? If he is running back and forth he sounds like he's feeling well today. Keep us updated.

[animal helper]

Thanks I am located in NY. Do I just call those organization and say I found a pigeon? I don't know what to do. Here are the pictures. Sorry for the bad quality, I took them with my cam.


I am calling it Piji cause I'm not sure of the gender. Piji is getting stronger everyday. Now he really wants to get out of the carrier very badly and he doesn't seem to be interested in food. It did however drank water for the first time, I tried the technique of putting the beak in the water and it worked! I don't want to keep him there anymore it makes me sad seeing him desperately want out. He keeps moving about a lot back and forth and jumping like crazy but I can't let him out because I have cats. It also is biting my hand a lot more than before OUCH! I think he is getting more strength. How do I find out the gender?

[jenfer]

He looks young. No way to tell gender (you can get an idea if you put him with other pigeons, but only way to know for sure is DNA test). It's a good sign that he's as feisty as he is.

If you are in NYC, you can take him to see a rehabber at the Wild Bird Fund, which operates out of Animal General at 87th/Columbus. See www.wildbirdfund.com for info. The rehabbers there can help you determine whether he's healthy, where and when to release him, etc.

Jennifer

[robs]

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you for rescuing this bird! Pigeons are among the noblest and sweetest birds you can find. And they need and deserve our help.

I would like to advise your best bet is to contact the Wild Bird Fund. They are very good rehabbers. Their phone: 646-306-2862. Ask for appt. asap. Appts. are from 12 (or 1:00?) to 3 PM.
If you can't make it, I'd try to help myself to bring the bird there. Pls. call me (718-937-0125).

[robs]

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you for rescuing this bird! Pigeons are among the noblest and sweetest birds you can find. And they need and deserve our help.

I would like to advise your best bet is to contact the Wild Bird Fund. They are very good rehabbers. Their phone: 646-306-2862. Ask for appt. asap. Appts. are from 12 (or 1:00?) to 3 PM.
If you can't make it, I'd try to help myself to bring the bird there. Pls. call me (718-937-0125).