fledgling pigeon?

[jdogvolunteer87]

I found two pigeons, both of them juveniles. However, I am not sure about the older one. I know that fledglings often leave the nest and are on the ground for a few days, but when I approached him he made no attempt to fly or cry out. His wings are fully feathered, his body is not. I tried to get him to fly, but it seems that he can't just yet. He looks like he's almost an adult, other than a little bit of fuzz sticking out from his feathers. Did I make a mistake in picking him up?

[~pigeonlover~]

no i use to find young pigeons and help them out till they could fly then let them go they were happy at the end of it, once i had to kill one cause it was shot and was infected and was hardly breathing at all. jason

[Trees Gray]

Hello and thank you for helping this youngster. This is indeed a young bird. Please bring it inside away from predators.

Offer it wild bird seed and water, and see how he does in the next few days.

If he let you pick him up, you did not make a mistake in picking him up

Please update us as to how he is doing.

Thank you

Treesa

[Feefo]

I can only endorse what Teresa has said. If you can pick up a baby pigeon - or indeed any pigeon - then it needs picking up! They are looked after by their parents when they leave the nest, but by that time they can fly...they spend a lot of time exercising their wings on ledges before leaving the nest so their muscles are well developed. It could have fallen from the nest or something could have happened to the father bird who would be looking after it at this stage.

I have found two fully feathered juveniles this year that for some reason were too weak and emaciated to fly. Good food and a chance to recover their strength seems to be all they needed.

Cynthia

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All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure, they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like life and want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life should be protected.

-Mahavira