Help -- Baby Pigeon Won't Open Its Mouth

[CaroleLee]

Hello,

I'm new here. A baby pigeon was blown onto our balcony during high winds yesterday. I'm trying to feed it but it won't open its mouth. When I force its mouth open it struggles hard and I'm afraid of hurting it. Last night I found a recipe on the internet for baby pigeon food: chicken baby food plus a little plain yogurt, egg yolk, and tiny drop of oil. Baby pigeon doesn't like it but I managed to get some down it. I was surprised when it was still alive this morning. I gave it more food but it was a real struggle. Someone at work suggested that perhaps it doesn't like the flavor of the food so at lunchtime I soaked a wholemeal biscuit in warm water and gave it some of that. Same thing -- awful struggle to get the beak open but eventually some went down.

I have questions:
How can I persuade the bird to open its mouth?
Do they all struggle?
Which part is the crop? Is it the small pouch directly under the chin or is it all of that flabby skin between the beak and the chest? (in order to make sure the crop is 3/4 full, I need to know exactly which part the crop is.)
Do I need to give extra water (I made the food runny)
If so, should the water be warm or room temperature?

I looked at the pictures on your website and think that "my" pigeon is 9 or 10 days old.

Hoping to hear from an expert soon.

Carole