Help!

[SarahC]

We were driving today and almost hit a pigeion. He wouldn't get off the road. We looked in the rear view and he almost got hit by several cars so we pulled over. He wouldn't get out of the way of someone walking across the road and the guy kicked him. I'm not sure if he got hit by a car, I didn't see it but I don't know how long he was in the road for. We ran over to save him from the mean guy and scooped him up in a jacket.. and now we have no idea what to do with him.

We bought some bird seed and he ate a little bit and he drank some water. But he won't fly! He doesn't appear to be injured. He looks kinda old.. but I have no idea what an old pigeon really looks like. The SPCA won't take him, and I have no money to take him to a vet. What should I do???

He's living in a big cardboard box with a towel in a quiet room.

We're willing to keep him and look after him but I'm worried he may be sick.... help!! I'll be checking this forum every hour or so... I took a couple pictures of him in case somebody can look and see if they see anything the matter with him... any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Sarah and Brandon

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Sarah And Brandon,

Thank you for saving this pigeon from an almost certain demise on the road. Actually, this bird looks quite young to me. It looks like I see the yellow fluff still poking through on his head. Can you do a once over of the bird? Looking for any cuts, abrasions, obvious trauma to wings, legs or body? You had mentioned that a motorist had kicked him, was it a really hard kick or just to get him off the road kind brush with the foot? Please keep the bird warm and quiet for now. He's probably very stressed out and somewhat in shock. If you could continue to offer seed and water to him for now and take things one step at a time, this would be great. Thanks again, report back if you see anything unusual.

[SarahC]

We used to live in Oshawa!! We live in BC now.. anyways.. back to the pigeon.. who we have named Bob.

We can't see any obvious marks on him. We didn't see the guy kick him, we were just pulling over as it happened and there was another person there yelling at the guy who kicked him..

We're wondering if maybe he has a broken wing? How do you tell? It doesn't look like it's broken.. But we're wondering why it is he can't fly??

He is eating, and he is drinking, and his poop looks normal...

Could he have some disease?

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi again Sarah,

This bird looks pretty young to me. It may not have full ability to fly yet as a youngster. It takes them practice and time exercizing their muscles as part of this process. Can you and your boyfriend try to open each wing carefully, comparing them and look for anything unusual? I know it's hard to tell but perhaps you will see something by opening up the wings. Will he perch on your hand? If so, lower your hand fairly quickly with him perched on your hand to see if he will at least flap his wings and if both wings move properly. DO THIS OVER SOMETHING SOFT LIKE A PILLOW or OVER THE BED in case he falls. You said he's eating and drinking and the poops look good so this in encouraging anyways.

[SarahC]

Hi again!

He flaps his wings.. but no go.. doesn't even get a cm off the ground..

We thought he was old!!! I guess we were wrong. So.. if he's a baby.. do we just keep him until he can fly? Do we teach him how to fly? I don't want to set him free yet because a big hawk could come and eat him...

[Pigeonpal2002]

Yes, this is best for now. He's young but not totally vulnerable. Sounds like he might be ok. He will learn on his own how to flap and fly. Just check him over well and if you see any cuts, abrasions, blood etc, let us know. Otherwise, just keep doing what you're doing for tonight, and keep him warm and quiet. Advise us if something comes up later or if you notice any changes;improvements or worsening tomorrow. It's after 9pm out there, so perhaps you should give him some time to rest.


Thanks again for helping,

[SarahC]

Ok one more quick question...

Should we leave the light on or off tonight? we have him in a big walk in closet because we do have two cats.... It's pretty much the only place in the house we can close off...

Thanks

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Sarah,

Make sure your cats have no access to this closet. Also make sure he can't get out the top of the box but don't cover the top. You can either turn out the lights or use a dim night light or something. He will rest better when it's darker though. Thanks again for helping him out and let us know how things are in the morning.

[relofts]

Sara,

Thank you so much for caring for this youngster, he is very young and still has his peach fuzz, he is only what we call a squieker, and he should start to fledge soon. Like Brad stated you can take the cover off but you may find he will find his way out of the box. There are many supplies around your home that you can use to secure for a safe enviroment for your little charge, you can use a cloths basket over the top of the box or over a piece of card board or news paper on the floor, or you can take a oven rack or refrigerator rack and place over the box. Also you may need to dip him to teach him how to drink as the parents may not of weaned him yet, when dipping only dip his beak being careful not to dip him to deep so it goes up in his nostrils which are located at the top portion of the beak.

Ellen

[Pigeonpal2002]

Sarah,

I'm going to delete your duplicate thread in the "injured and sick pigeons" forum. Please continue to post your messages in the other one in "I found a pigeon now what" forum. It'll save on the confusion.

If you're able tonight, can you periodically check on the young pigeon throught the night? I'm at work right now so I will check the messages occasionally and if anything comes up, let me know and I'll try to help as best I can.

Thanks again and hopefully he will be even better in the morning. I think he just needs some serious rest right now.

[SarahC]

So far so good.. he's sleeping. He's eating and drinking fine..

I'll check on him throughout the night and in the morning.. but I have to work from 10am-6:30pm... what should I do during that time???



**Added later**

I am going to bed cause i work in the morning.. but I'll check the board when I wake up so.. if I should know anything post it before 9am British Columbia time... (same as california) Thanks again for everything

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the update. Will there be anyone home with the pigeon during those hours tomorrow?

[Pete Jasinski]

Hello Sara,
Thank you for taking this lil guy in! Do you have another room that is cat safe that you can put him that might provide him sunlight? if not he'll have to sat put where he's safe. Be sure to be "bird friendly" when he's around! Don't smoke around him or use scented candles. Aerosol sprays and nonstick cookware are toxic to birds also, they have very sensitive respiratory systems that can be damaged very easily. Keep up the good work and keep us updated!

[SarahC]

I'm going to put him in the bedroom with the curtains open tomorrow and close the bedroom door. Right now he is in a walk in closet with the door closed so the kitties can't get in.

Unfortunately noone will be home tomorrow until after work I can't do anything about that because it's too late to call in sick for work.. otherwise I would!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Yes, I see your dilemma. Just make sure he can't get out of his box or whatever he's in. Try following Ellen's instructions on a housing setup for him but make sure he's got enough food and water. Whatever you are using for a water dish will have to be secured down somehow to prevent tipping. If he manages to get out of his box/cage setup while you're out, he may injure himself or not be able to get back to the box for water and food. Let us know again in the morning and try to get some sleep for tonight.