Pigeon with hole in his neck (urgent)

[ryannon]

Don't throw in the towel: you'll get him!

Parenthetically, I really liked xxmoxiexx's description of capture-techniques: that's the way I learned to do it as well. Sometimes a pigeon will let you lift him up like he's a little tomato just waiting to be picked; most times, you have to be quick. But it's a very good method: better than traps and nets.

Congratulations to you on your persistence and your concern for this little guy

All these indivdual efforts add up and make big differences....

[xxmoxiexx]

Sometimes, when they are sick, they will stay further from you because they know they are not as fast as the others, and wont be able to fly away as quick.
It's a tough one, usually this time of year they are so hungry they are easy to catch. I've found with a flock downtown, that are so hard to catch, they stay far away, that if i use PEANUTS to feed them, they'll come VERY close and i was able to catch them! They LOVE peanuts!
It's also easier when they are in a larger flock, they are more comfortable than when they are alone. If you build trust with Ally's friends, you will start to build trust with Ally too. He'll see you're only feeding his friends, and being nice, and slowly, hopefully not too slowly, come closer with the others.
There has been people on here that spent many days, even weeks, trying to catch a sick bird. I've spent time too, but i'm a lot better catching them now, so it's easier. With a timid bird though, it's a LOT more work, and the sick ones are more timid.
Thanks, like Ryannon said, for all your efforts, they will pay off.
Is there a place close by where there is MORE birds, that if you feed there Ally will see you feeding them and fly over there to eat? Maybe a less traffic area? Then with the bigger flock you can try and catch him like i described.
I know Aias and Sabina have used the nets before. Like a big fishing net, and i've been meaning to get one. Might be worth a try, and if it doesnt work you can always return the net. I fashioned a quick net at home before, i used a mop handle, unscrewed the mop, and used the stick. I then took apart a wire coat hanger and made it into a circle, and bent the two ends straight so i could tape it really tight with ducktape onto mop handle. I used a thin cloth, must be thin so air can pass through otherwise the air will trap and it will go too slow. You can even cut some small holes all over, too small for Ally to escape through though.
I used this to capture a few birds before. Best when you get them up against a curb or wall.
The trap might and does sometimes EVENTUALLY work, as they see it and get used to it being there, and it's no longer foreign, so if you can, even if trying to catch by hand, set the trap there anyways just for him to visually get used to it.
And hang in there! You're doing AWESOME! And it wont always be this hard to catch them, we've all been through it, so hang in there. You've got a big heart, thanks for helping so much!
Your feral pigeon flock thanks you, trust me, they do!

[PixieTJ]

Thought I'd update. Food is no longer flowing or escaping from Ally's crop or neck (the wound goes to his head, so it is not only his crop). The wound is also no longer open-tissue-red. The wound is gray in tone. Note, the gray color is an observation from three feet away- it could be a different color, such as mauve. Oh, and his feathers are no longer puffy. They lay down now like his friends', for the most part.
When I went down today he was waiting for me, but would not come closer than three feet. He doesn't like sunflower seeds.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

-Pixie

PS-

Moxie, I will try peanuts next. Thank you. I did purchase a fishing net, but it scares him. I really wanted one of the throw style fishing nets, but it was rather costly. If I don't catch him by Sunday/Monday I will return to the shop and purchase it. As for the box, the day I left it down, he didn't venture to his usual spot. As I said, he knows I have an eye on him. Moxie, yes, there is a flock just across the street, he has no interest in joining them. His flight skills are slower, however, I have noticed a slight improvement.

I've been going down every hour or so. This time was really neat, because I didn't need to wait for him or coax him off the roof. He was waiting, which is a good sign. It's also drizzling rain today, which may have helped. I also don't call him any more. And I don't look him in the eye. Thanks to all of you, rebuilding trust has been quicker than I imagined. Squatting and silently feeding him has truly helped. I also quit laying food down. I only directly feed him, this way he knows I am a food source.

Thanks so much!

[Marion Springer]

PixieTJ,By your description, it sounds as though the neck injury is healing by itself. That is good news.
The fact that he is no longer losing food through the hole in his neck means that he is getting better nutrition , thus getting stronger.
I hope you are able to catch him and to take care of him, but if that doesn't happen, it's likely that he will make it on his own.
Your post today sounds positive . Thank you for keeping us up on what's happening with Ally.
Marion Springer

[Reti]

That is wonderful update. If he made it that long his chances are improving.
You are doing a great job in caring for this sweet bird.

Reti

[PixieTJ]

Ally is doing really really well. Seems to have found a mate. He's been hanging out, eating, and drinking at the windows, all morning. Oh, and sitting on my kale in the window (it's crushed- giggle). I am going to wait and see if he decides to roost at the window. This will be an easier catch. Plus, I don't want to scare him off from eating at the windows. They're safer than the alley. I'll try to get some pictures without scaring him off-- but with that much interference, I'm more than likely to go for a catch.

Update on the flock: They seem to know who I am and where I live, as they were right outside my door this morning. We didn't even make it to the park before all the food was gone. They like to peck my red shoes. And a few are comfortable now to eat out of my hand. Unfortunately, the brown/red pigeon was all puffy yesterday. I was prepared to catch him today, however, he was not with the flock. We'll see.

I've also been looking at pigeon carriers/cages on ebay

[Reti]

Great to hear Ally is doing great. I am still hoping you can eventually catch him.
Is the brown/red pigeon another one?

Reti

[PixieTJ]

I agree. I still want to catch him and will continue trying. Unfortunately, I was busy this morning but did get a good look of him dining at the window with two of his friends. When I opened the blinds they flew off. In the past when I've opened the blinds he did not fly off- he was alone. Then I had to leave. When I returned, he was not around but the other two were. I've been keeping an eye out for him. Recently he has not been hanging out all day on the roof or in the alley... I feel like I am a cat I mean, if this is what a cat feels like.

The brownish/red pigeon is one of the flock pigeons I've been feeding. He wasn't around today either. What looks like two of his offspring, being rose colored, were in the flock today. Usually they are together with a few predominately white pigeons. Unfortunately for the pigeons, for the past few days there has been an ice-sculpture-attraction across the street in the park. It's active with lots of children and tourists. The children tend to chase the pigeons. I'm guessing, if he's sick, he's definitely been staying away. Then again, the whitish pigeons were not in the flock today. It hasn't been a full flock since the ice-sculptures. My living room windows have a bird's eye view of the building tops and park; I've been keeping an eye out... I've noticed I have pigeon feed (un-popped popcorn, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, dried peas, rice, and flax seeds) in most of my coat pockets and my handbag.

[PixieTJ]

Update:

This morning, Ally's neck has new feather stubble! He roosted, last night, at Opus' former window. I leave that window open. I set the alarm for 2am, creped in, and sat quiet for a good ten minutes, then I advanced... goodness, he flew off... Ugh... However, he did return this morning

I think the alley is a pigeon recovery hideout, because there is now a pigeon with a hurt leg hanging out with Ally. I almost caught him. And he may be an easy catch. Ally, on the other hand, is quite determined. I really think this is why he has survived thus far.

I do have a dilemma. I will be leaving for two weeks, for the primaries, to New Hampshire and then will be off to Japan. If I catch Ally, I know I will need to at least put him on antibiotics, thus will want to take him with me to New Hampshire but can't take him with me to Japan. Has anyone, here, traveled with their beloved birds? And how has it been with a pigeon as a carry on?

Thanks!

[Pidgey]

Don't even think of trying to take the bird on the airplane for an international flight. And, at this point, antibiotics might not help at all. If he didn't come down with something that would have taken him out pretty quick, it's a fair bet that he's going to recover quite without any help at all. That happens and more power to those birds who can manage under those circumstances.

Pidgey

[PixieTJ]

Thank you, Pidgey.

Originally Posted by Pidgey

Don't even think of trying to take the bird on the airplane for an international flight. And, at this point, antibiotics might not help at all. If he didn't come down with something that would have taken him out pretty quick, it's a fair bet that he's going to recover quite without any help at all. That happens and more power to those birds who can manage under those circumstances.

Pidgey

Yeah, I wouldn't take him with me to Japan. I also think he is doing really well. I am kind of thinking it may be best to simply have the person who waters the plants, takes care of the cats, to also continue to put pigeon feed/water on the window ledges. This may be enough?

[Pidgey]

Well, it's been working so far. Obviously, you can't control everything about their lives "out there". I think they prefer it that way just like we prefer to grow up and live our own lives, too. Pigeons usually accept handouts, though.

Pidgey

[PixieTJ]

Originally Posted by Pidgey

Well, it's been working so far. Obviously, you can't control everything about their lives "out there". I think they prefer it that way just like we prefer to grow up and live our own lives, too. Pigeons usually accept handouts, though.

Pidgey

Excellent point. Once again, thank you, Pidgey.

[xxmoxiexx]

well, i'd still try to catch him, or the friend, and maybe find someone through some kind of rescue to watch/rehab while you are gone.
What are you doing at the primaries? And Japan?

[PixieTJ]

Originally Posted by xxmoxiexx

well, i'd still try to catch him, or the friend, and maybe find someone through some kind of rescue to watch/rehab while you are gone.
What are you doing at the primaries? And Japan?

Hi Moxie,

I am still trying to catch him. I haven't given up. In the least, of course, want to get him to a vet... Tonight, I spoke with a few friends who are willing to take care of him while I am gone- phew... If I can manage a catch. Which reminds me, I've been dreaming of pigeons? Very odd dreams. I wonder if you all dream of pigeons?

He decided not to roost here tonight. Like I said, he is determined.

As for the primaries, I'll be helping out one of the campaigns but politics are not allowed via the rules Japan though-- I studied in Japan and will be visiting friends and family. And, actually, one of my college friend's family raises homing pigeons. And is probably where my affinity for pigeons began. They let me hold a yellow "squeaker"... I recall feeling quite honored.