Lone pigeon on a college campus - unable to fly

[Pidgey]

He's definitely an older bird and his ceres (the white part of his nose over the nostrils) is pretty wide. Don't know if this is true or not, but you'd almost think that he's related to a homing pigeon.

When you get a chance, let's feel that wing and compare it to the good one to see if there is any swelling or knots. You can go here and study the skeletal structure:

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/skeleton.html

There are several possibilities and the two most common are that he hurt the wing versus a disease that's causing arthritis in a joint of the wing. Your examination and description will help us figure it out, hopefully. Then we can prescribe a treatment.

Pidgey

[Jamuko]

Hehe! Pidgey the user, and Pidgey the bird!

Again, thanks for all help =) I think I'll wait a bit longer before examining his wing, because he still is wary of my hand coming into the box. I'll try to spend a lot of time with him today to get him used to my company.

Wow, homing pigeon? Even if it isn't true, that's pretty neat to think. Out of curiosity, how can you tell he is older? I wonder how long he's been living here...

And yep, I took the proper precautions with the pad.

As for the rehabbers, I actually used to live in Fairfax, and have a lot of friends up there. I'm going to be visiting in a couple weeks, so perhaps I should bring the pigeon up with me, so I can hand him over to Dr. Rose Ann Fiskett. =)

I'll try to get some grit today too.

He did seem to eat, and by looking at his food bowl it looks like he ate all the visible sunflower seeds, hehe. I remember when I was younger we used to feed the wild mourning doves by our house, and they loved the sunflower seeds best. I wonder if pigeons like them that much too.

[cyro51]

Thank you for rescuing this pigeon. It is the ones that somehow survive on the ground that touch me the most.

At the moment it is not clear whether he will be able to fly again, so if you hand him over to anyone please make certain that he will not be euthanased if he can't recover the ability to fly!

Cynthia

[Jamuko]

Quick update again: we got some grit. We couldn't find any "red grit" that is supposed to be used for pigeons, so we just got pet bird grit... hope that's alright (it can't be any worse than what he's been eating off the ground anyway, right?).

Gave him fresh food and water, and changed his newspaper.

He was actually sitting down when we came back from the store today, which I hope is a good sign. He looked like he was breathing kind of heavily though, which I hope was only because his breaths were more visible in that position rather than something to worry about. After standing up, his breathing looked normal again. Are pigeons' breaths always more noticible when sitting?

I notice how his pretty green neck feathers shine in the light. I can't see how so many people don't like these birds.

[Pidgey]

Yeah, they sort of heave when they're breathing while hunkered down--especially a pigeon that big. As long as he's eating like a pig and drinking plenty enough, he can't be in too bad of shape. It would be nice to know what's up with that wing, though.

Pidgey

[Jamuko]

Yeah, that's why I was uncertain whether or not to take him in in the first place; he does seem to be doing fine, given the circumstances. We tease him about being fat. :P (Maybe he doesn't get enough exercise without being able to fly?)

He is a little more comfortable with our presence now, but he still kind of freaked when putting in new newspaper and also when I tried to touch him to pet a ruffled feather back down in place. I don't think I should attempt the wing inspection just yet.

I noticed earlier today he actually shifted his bad wing back into place. That was odd; you couldn't tell at all by looking at him right then that something was wrong with it. Now it's back to hanging again, though. Don't know if that observation helps at all in determining what the problem might be, but I thought I'd mention it.

[andinla]

great eye sight but it looks like the pigeon maybe missing some feathers. Flight feathers maybe??... my rescued pigeon looked like yours in your photo when I first picked him up after being attacked by a hawk, mine lost his flight feathers and the ones left you would of thought he had a broken wing also.

Maybe it would help if you could take some more photos for blind people like me...heeehee..

Andi

[Jamuko]

Alright, I took a couple more photos. ^_^ He is sitting down again now, on the heating pad side of the box.

I don't think he's missing feathers, but I'll try to take a close look when comparing his wings. The gap you see there is because he's physically hanging his wing down out of place.

I used the flash this time, so you can get a good look at him. Luckily he didn't seem to be too bothered by it.

[Victor]

Pidgey is a fine looking pigeon. He resembles my pet pigeon Rosco, a checker, only yours is a bit darker. We can see the hanging wing good now. Well Dr.Pidgey, we have a wing problem here don't we? I am leaving for home. Back on later.

[Pidgey]

Some kind, yes. Until Jamuko feels that wing and compares it, we're not going to have a clue as to what kind, though.

Pidgey

[Jamuko]

I'd like to be able to do that as soon as I can, so we can get some ideas going... but he still flips out if I try to touch him. Are there any tips for getting him to let me inspect it sooner or should I just give it time while he warms up to me?

[sabina]

you will be waiting a looooong time for the pigeon to establish the level of trust that will allow you to grab without freaking out. in my experience (limited as it is) only the very sick and very tired pigeons will act friendly and tame like that. also, they claim their space pretty quickly, and dont take too kindly to home invasions, meaning his little box.

examine his/her wing, tell her/him its for his/her own good and they will forgive you in the future.

buena suerte.

Aias

Originally Posted by Jamuko

I'd like to be able to do that as soon as I can, so we can get some ideas going... but he still flips out if I try to touch him. Are there any tips for getting him to let me inspect it sooner or should I just give it time while he warms up to me?

[feralpigeon]

The good news is that if when you reach into his box he gives you a wing wack
w/that wing, things are looking up in terms of a broken wing. Good to rule this
out, it could be an incident related sprain or illness related sprain/strain which
would mean the bird needs some meds. So as much as you can figure out in terms of behavior and examination will help to determine what to do next.

fp

[Jamuko]

Good points! I'll attempt to check it out tomorrow then, just so I don't disturb his sleep tonight.

I was thinking the same about it not being broken; he did use it for sure when trying to get away when I first caught him from outside, and he didn't seem to be in great pain or have much trouble opening/closing the wing for the most part.

Another possibility I thought of: since he is on the older side, do you think it could be possible that he broke his wing a while ago and it healed back improperly?

Informative update to come tomorrow!

[andinla]

he is so cute... the wing is going to have to be examined (by you) he won't bite, well he might but it doesn't hurt really.. no blood any way. You need to feel the good wing, and then go to the bad wing and she if it is swollen, etc..

He really is a cutie.... and your doing a great job he looks so content..

Andi