Scraggy pigeon with bad feet

[Charis]

Breaks my heart to see a Pigeon in such condition. I don't think the bird should ever be released either. She deserves to be spoiled, pampered and loved.
She can have a good life with you. Don't let a vet talk you into euthanizing her.

[Kerry-Lee]

You're right Pigi doesn't look happy in those photos but he/she's cooing, eating, wing flapping, walking , preening (a lot), sunbathing. Is it a young pigeon? He/she doesn't seem to use the wings to balance but it could be the case as she/he is not stable on the feet - tyou can't see in the pic but the left wing hangs lower than the right - the legs also seem a bit splayed now that I have read about it. Pigi had a bath after the photos and looks a bit smarter. There were only the flies when I found him/her as far as I could see but I might have missed the lice - none now though I think. With regard to the weight, eating is good and stomach is rounded but it is pretty fragile and not plump looking like most pigeons. There are strange nodules on the wing bones but not sure if that is normal.

Thanks Plamen for the advice, and again for the kind offer of meds. I will let you know what the bird vet says.

Pigi is pecking the computer mouse.

[Kerry-Lee]

A few more

[Kerry-Lee]

Why does Pigi always want to put his/her beak between my fingers? And then he/she acts like I am holding the beak and struggles to get it free when I'm not even holding it - I guessed it is a baby feeding thing cos they feed from the mother's beak? Also the cooing - what does that mean? It is always associated with the finger pecking.

I would definitely not let the vet euthanase Pigi but here in South Africa with so many animals needing help and resources dedicated to this so limited, it is frowned upon to spend too much on one animal and I am conscious of that but I also know that it does not have to cost the earth to give a creature a good life while it lasts. Our vet is a great bird lover and as I said to Plamen, she has dedicated a house she has just bought to being a bird and monkey rehabilitation site - she is setting up a surgery etc - but their policy is to not keep animals that cannot be rehabilitated for release.

[plamenh]

Beak nudging is feeding issue, but also kissing with pigeons, as we would translate to human.
Cooing is also a way of communication, but you will learn differences as you spend more time with her. We use hands to touch and feel, they use their beaks.
She is already feeling fine around you, so you may call her pet pigeon.
As long as she is safe from predators, having food, water and some basic medical care, she will be happy.
Most of my pigeons cannot fly, but they compensate with cooing, mating, laying eggs and keeping me busy.

[Mindy]

I don't think he should ever be released, I don't think he should be put outside in a tree either. He can't get away from predators. Please keep him safe. Your doing a good job, and allot of work I would hate for it to be all to do for nothing and a cat to get it one morning when it is outside by the feeder. What a precious bird. He'll make a nice, sweet pet. mindy

[Kerry-Lee]

Pigi went to the bird vet yesterday - she says the wing bones are deformed and Pigi won't fly -she trimmed the feathers, dewormed and checked the mouth - she said the mouth looks healthy and the weight is fine. She also charged me almost nothing which is so kind. She had 4 other pigeons there that were covered in this glue they are using now in Durban, especially to keep the birds away from the new stadium for the 2010 football - shamefull stuff. She is going to look for a bird that won't fly again from her rehab avary to Pigi to have a friend.

Pigi is on the windowsill looking out over the harbour and city. The Indian Myna birds come right up to the window and look for a way in.

Mindy not to worry Pigi is always supervised on the bird feeder and outside - we have 3 big dogs and a cat and they know not to even look in Pigi's direction and he doesn't mind them much.

Thanks for all the kind advice and care.