Another injured Wood Pigeon

[rook]

Hi,

I wonder if I could get some advice please. I found a probably 3-4 week old Wood Pigeon after the bird collided with a window. The bird suffered a concussion and a broken wing. I cared for the bird as long as I could, stabilised her, involved a vet and passed the bird eventually on to an experienced bird carer, I thought at least, following the vets recommendation, because the bird wasn't independent yet and I wasn't able to feed the bird at this stage by my own. Two weeks later I received a phone call that the bird would now feed by its own, but wouldn't fly as much as expected, and I should either take it back or put it down. I obviously disagreed with this suggestion to put the bird down, because I thought it was a rather hasty conclusion. I collected the bird and was shocked about the birds condition. The poor creature was malnourished, lethargic and the plumage was in a horrible state. The Wood Pigeon we have called Lilly seemed to have suffered further injuries during her confinement as well. The bird is now over a week with us and makes only very slow progress. Lilly is getting now the best food including herbs, minerals and vitamins and had a course of antibiotics as well. She is now getting more and more active and alert. She is now used of being handled and not panicking all the time anymore. I managed to clean the plumage a little bit at least. All the soft tissue injuries have healed, the wing fracture is by the way healed as well with a minor fracture displacement.

Okay - now my questions. Although I put her manually on a perch several times a day, and she stays there longer and longer, she will eventually fly to the ground and always sleeps in a sheltered box. She won't fly and perch by her own. It is as she is frightened of flying, and as Lilly is now about 8 or perhaps 9 weeks old, she should start flying, shouldn't she? Have you got any suggestions how I could encourage her to fly and perch and to get rid of her anxiety? Sitting in a box doesn't do any good to her plumage, which already looks better, but still horrible. I think that the whole feather development is delayed, seeing the still naked parts under the wings and upper thighs. Has anybody had a similar experience with a frightened Wood Pigeon?

The second question is whether I should try to find company for her, as she certainly can't be set free before next year spring? I mean it is good now that she trusts me enabling me to help her, but when she is better then she needs to be afraid of human beings etc. to give her a chance to survive in the wild.

Last question, if she isn't suitable for release, is there a chance to keep a Wood Pigeon in a suitable aviary together with other (disabled) birds? If so, is there anybody out there in the south of England near the Isle of Wight, who cares for disabled pigeons or doves and would be (theoretically at present) prepared to take care of Lilly?

Many thanks,

rook.