Advice needed on young pigeon wounded by hawk

[andinla]

Another wild day at the daycare. I noticed a young pigeon hiding under the banana plant leaves after the pigeon flock took off in a hurry. I looked around didn't see the hawk went back in for five minutes and checked on him again and he was now up on the porch under a desk. The hawk was on the railing right above the desk (4 inches) I chased the hawk away, and took the pigeon inside the teachers restroom and cleaned up his wound which is above the leg under his wing it was bleeding outside but once I cleaned it and put antibiotic cream on it . It has stopped bleeding. two hours later went to check on him and he flew out of the box and seemed like he was really wanting to get back with his family, but I thought it was to soon and that I should either take him to rehab and see what they say or wait a few days to see how well it heals. Either way I have to pick him up tomorrow morning by 10:00 am my co-workers are getting sick of my save everything personality. I also had to rescue a rat from the crows a half hour after the pigeon rescue. The poor rat had his eye pecked out and they were taking turns pulling and biting him.. He now is in my car in a box with food , bed and water. Any suggestions on pigeons welfare (rescue or rehab) and any rat rescues out there? thanks Andi

[cyro51]

If anybody says that you are lucky to see nature in the raw I will scream! You are having an appaling emotionally disturbing time, and my heart goes out to you.

I can't help you with rehabbers or Ratty, but I would be very reluctant to let an animal with an open wound go free. I would wait at least until a scab forms and you know there is no infection.

Cynthia

[Trees Gray]

Thanks again, for helping out the wildlife.

I am thrilled by your compassion for animals. You are protecting the rights of wildlife, and you don't need an excuse or answer anyone everytime you help these creatures.

Is there no rehabber or animal sanctuaries out there in El Segundo, Calif? I thought Calif had it all! Anyone, here? ..who can help find a rehabber?? Treesa

[TAWhatley]

Hi Andi,

I suspect you are familiar with South Bay Wildlife, but if not, you could try them to see if they will help with the pigeons you are getting:

http://www.sbwr.org/


Do question them about what will happen to any pigeons taken there as they are a raptor rehab facility also.

Sadly, I don't think there is going to be any rescue or rehab facility that will take and care for a wild/feral rat. There are several domestic rat rescues groups but in checking their websites just now none will take wild rats. If you care to look, do a google search on "rat rescue southern california".

I guess about all I can suggest if you are not able to find a place for the rat is to do the best you can in caring for it yourself or find a compassionate vet who will humanely euthanize it if the wounds are extreme.

Terry Whatley

[Thunderbird]

Give him a week with seed & water. If he has that much energy, he will be fine by then and won't get dependant on humans in just a week. Turn him loose again with his own flock and he shouldn't have to re-position in the pecking order, causing any more stress.

[ddpowell]

I agree. HOld on to him and release him later where his flock is. Hopefully the hawk is not a resident hawk and will eventually move on.

I don't know what to say about the poor little rat. I would say the same, take as good care of him as you can and hope for the best. then release him in the evening.

You are a good person to help so many in need.

[andinla]

Hi Everyone what a day yesterday!!

The young pigeons wound is already healing and she sits on the window ledge in the teachers bathroom I bird proofed the whole room and its right across the street from her family, she can probably hear them cooing. My co-workers didn't say anything when I came in at noon and just figured I would take her with me tonight. But I thought it is the best place for her to stay over the weekend. I will just go check on her twice a day for feedings.

As for the rat she is now in my garage and is missing her right eye she looks alot better and eats everything I put in the box . I feel so sorry for her. I am planning on keeping her for a week to let her heal up and release her back into a location where she can hide. She is a fruit rat so I am going to find a place where there is a lot of fruit trees and no cats.

You know people are funny when it comes to dealing with injured wildlife. I just don't get how someone can turn their eyes from a animal who is being eaten alive... I could never just walk away... thanks everyone . I will let you know when I release the pigeon and rat... Andi

[Eileen]

I work in a wildlife hospital in NY, and it is sad the predicaments these animals get themselves into.

You sound as if you have the situation under control, you are doing a GREAT job.

Just make sure that no flies get on or around the scab/open wounds of the rat or the pigeon. You don't want the flies to lay eggs (they lay them in open wounds). You'll want to keep an eye on the wounds & make sure you don't see anything that look like bunches of small rice (kind of).

Kudos to you for caring..

[andinla]

well the pigeon attacked by the hawk i let her go on Sunday afternoon and she flew right up to her flock on the wires. The rat attacked by the crows, I let go today when I opened the box and tiltled it she looked at me with her one eye and darted under the woodpile. I set her lose in the neighbors yard (we call him the farmer) has a lot of property with endless amounts of fruit trees and avaries with lots of places to hide. I feel so much better now. Now I just have to work on finding the person who is poisoning pigeons at a local hotel here in town. ?? R work is never done.!!!! ha! Andi