Help! I rescued a pigeon that flew into my glass door.

He or She can flap both wings and can lift off just a couple of feet - but that's it. Both wings look good - one wing isn't hanging down lower than the other. I've been watching him walk around the yard and he looks pretty perky. His eyes are clear. I called a few vets, and they want to put him down! I've had him for 2 days now, and picked up a big cage for him to recuperate in so he'll have a safe place to sleep and hang out in when I'm not home for him to be out in the yard. Can anyone advise me on what I should be doing? I hope I have not caused ecological disaster by being kind to this sweet birdee.

[altgirl35]

no way, where do you live??? maybe there is a rehabber in your area.
you did the right thing

[Eyla]

If his eyes are clear he should be o k. i took a wodcock to humane Socirty=same situation; At first they thought he would be ok after a few days, But then they saw the blood spot in his eye which indicated internal bleeding. They told me that when birds fly inro glass, this often happens especially woodcocks with long beak. pigeons do not have long beak.

I found my pet pigeon of 5 years when she was half dead -could not fly=cut on back, during cold winter. With a warm place and good nutrition she healed within weeks. great flyer now=she lives on my enclosed porch except in Jan and feb in a very large cage in house.She is very happy and very healthy looking and beautiful. A few times I accidentally left the porch door wide open for maybe 10 minutes, She has no desire to go out. She plays with her toys, rings her bells all day. I need to make sure she is not able to look out windows in Jan and Feb. She gets VERY upset at the sight of snow since she was stranded in snow.

Blessings To You

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for helping this needy bird and giving it a safe haven and time to mend.

You absolutely did the right thing.

Most importantly...is the bird eating and drinking?

Follow this link:

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

The bird may have another health issue going on that needs tending to and that may be why it flew into the glass door, or he needs more time to recooperate.

Can you tell us where you are located, perhaps we can help you find some help for the bird?

[philodice]

Good for you, and thank you for helping one of God's creatures!

Pigeons, as they exist today, are exactly like the feral cats everywhere, because humans raised and spread them. You cannot disturb any 'natural order' here, I feel that pigeons are a human's responsibility just as much as the feral cats are. If they get hurt, we should help them if we have the chance.

In fact, pigeons were tamed centuries before cats, that is why even the 'wild' ones can so readily make friends with us. When hurt, some wild pigeons even seek out humans to care for them!

Make sure your new friend has plenty of tasty seeds to eat. They like un-popped popcorn kernals, sunflower seeds, and wild bird seed mixes from the store. Check to make sure the seeds do not have holes in them, that means some little bug has already eaten it!

[altgirl35]

i've never understood why people dislike pigeons so much aside from the poop, which really shouldn't be a problem to anyone unless it's in a spot where it builds up, then its the humans fault for not making those areas inaccessible to wildlife.
they are very sweet non aggressive birds, they don't do any harm to anyone or any other animals. unlike other non native birds (in the usa) which destroy nests and kill young of other native birds.
its the fault of humans that they are living in most areas that are non native to them, so they are part of our world now forever and we should give them the care they need when they need it just like any other wild animal in distress, they belong to us all.

[Kim A.]

Hi everyone, I live outside of Las Vegas in Red Rock Canyon.

[Kim A.]

A Cooper's Hawk was sitting on the wall when this pigeon flew into the door. I'm thinking the hawk scared the pigeon and he flew as fast as he could in any direction, which was my door. Today is day 3, and the pigeon has clear eyes, is eating and drinking, and I have been letting him out to walk around and flap while my dog (who knows to protect him) and I keep and eye on him. However, just now he was out of the cage and the hawk came back to his spot on the wall. I scopped up Mr. P, who was trembling, and put him back in his deluxe bird condo-like cage. It looks like he's missing some feathers off of his right wing in the back. It is my goal to get this guy up and flying again - he flaps well and can lift off about a foot or two. I am really grateful for advice, as I want to do the right thing for him. He looks too perky and intelligent to be put down!

[Kim A.]

Thank you for the vote of confidence! Not much luck finding a rehab place, but there's one place left on the list to check (my project for today).
xx
Kim

[Kim A.]

Already I am amazed at how smart this guy is. Never having much experience with pigeons before, it is easy to see this fellow is intelligent and curious. Thank you for your help.

[Kim A.]

Thank you for the great dining suggestions for my new pal. xxx, Kim

[Charis]

Originally Posted by altgirl35

i've never understood why people dislike pigeons so much aside from the poop, which really shouldn't be a problem to anyone unless it's in a spot where it builds up, then its the humans fault for not making those areas inaccessible to wildlife.
they are very sweet non aggressive birds, they don't do any harm to anyone or any other animals. unlike other non native birds (in the usa) which destroy nests and kill young of other native birds.
its the fault of humans that they are living in most areas that are non native to them, so they are part of our world now forever and we should give them the care they need when they need it just like any other wild animal in distress, they belong to us all.

Well said. I agree 100%!

[Lovebirds]

Sounds like to me you're doing just fine without a rehabber, however, if you REALLY want to take the bird to someone who WILL take care of it, try contacting this member by PM or email. Someone here might have his phone number.......I don't.

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/member.php?u=3898

[altgirl35]

sounds like you like him and he likes you back!! if you wish to rehabilitate him you can legally do it.
i wouldn't let him outside until he is 100 percent, those hawks are faster than your dog any day and he's a sitting duck without his ability to fly.
try to get a look at his wing with the missing feathers, try to see if they are broken or all the way out.
try to feel his keel bone to see if he's underweight. how do his poops look?
i looked around online and didn't find many rehabbers i'll try another search in a little while.
it could take some time to grow those feathers back in, u ready for a pigeon roomate??

[Kim A.]

THANK YOU, DEAR ALTGIRL35, FOR TELLING ME ABOUT HOW FAST THE HAWK IS!! I am so grateful to know that! Um, what is a keel bone? I will research that ASAP. His poops look normal green and white, and I'll give his wing a good look over (though I'm not really sure what I'm looking for but I'll do a thorough search for missing and/or broken feathers). Should I move his wing around to check for pain? Would he make a peep noise if it hurts?

Yes, I am 100% committed to getting this guy up and flying, and if that doesn't work out, than he is most welcome to live out his days with us.