Baby pigeon abandoned on our balcony - help!!!

[bostonpigeons]

We live in Boston, MA in a highrise - a pigeon family decided to lay 2 eggs in one of the flowerpots on my balcony (22nd floor) a month ago or so. The mama pigeon diligently sat on both eggs (laid about 1 week apart), and we would see a male bird from time to time. The first baby hatched ~1 week ago, and is now fairly large, while the other egg is still intact. Today we woke up and the mama was gone! She has been missing the entire day, and I'm extremely worried something has happened to her.

IF she does not return, does anyone know if their is an animal rescue we can call to help save the hatchling and perhaps the egg? If not, what care and food do we need to provide? I'd prefer to hand it over to someone experienced, but if that isn't possible, I can't let the little guy starve or freeze to death! Luckily the temp is in the 60-70s here now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Phil & Tammy

[maryco]

Hello and thanks for your concern,

I saw your thread and posted a reply but then the message board was being changed and my post did not go through. I hope you can give us an update on what is happening so far so we can offer some suggestions..
I hope the baby and eggs are alright.

And hopefully someone will come along shortly who knows a rehabber or pigeon person in your area that might be able to help.

[cyro51]

Hello,

I hope that by now one of the parents has returned to feed the baby. They usually take it in turns to sit on the nest, but as the babies grow they will sit at a distance and just keep an eye on them, returning at intervals to feed them. As pigeons have crops they don't need the day-long attention that other birds need. It would be very unusual for both parents to abandon the nest.

Cynthia

[Lor]

Hello,
have you seen the dad lately? If so then the baby is more then likely fine. If the dad is gone too then you should feed it baby bird formula usually found at your Petco or local pet store. Use an eye dropper or other things. Warm it and make sure it is not hot just warm or it will burn the baby and it could kill it. Try to catch the baby(CAREFULLY!) and put it in a box with some rags or paper towels, in a safe, quiet place. Be sure that he is warm and to help put the towels in the dryer for a few minutes.
Lor

[cyro51]

A fairly safe way of feeding is to cut the tip bit off a 20 ml syringe, tape a piece of a child's party balloon over the opening, place a slit in that, fill the syringe with slightly warmed food such as Kaytee exact) and let the baby poke its beak into the slit and slurp the food out. Don't let its nostrils get covered in food and give it breaks in which to breathe (Kaytee Exact).

I am hoping that a photo link will appear here!

Cynthia

Photo moved to http://community.webshots.com/script...umID=366485520