Just acquired a baby woodie.

[pigeonpoo]

A neighbour has just presented me with a baby woodie!! Because I have racing pigeons the neighbourhood seems to think that I am an avian vet OK, so I can cope with the found racing pigeons and with the odd feral but this baby is beyond my experience. I emailed Cynth but now realise I'm not sure where her reply will be found so I am posting here again.....

The baby looks too young to fledge though he is, or rather was, fully covered under his wings. There is an abrasion there and some feathers missing. In addition, he has only three or four tail feathers and these look pipey to me. He cannot take his weight on his legs but uses his wings to try to move. Poops are dark brown/black with the usual blob of white. His undercarriage is covered in mud and possibly poop but I am reluctant to bath him in case of stressing him further.

I have rehydrated him and given him about 40 peas and a calcium tablet....where do I go from here?

Cynth, I am about half an hour from Nootie if you have her number and she is still rehabbing maybe she will take him?

Thanks.
Sue

[pigeonpoo]

Photos of the youngster. The tail feathers are open at the ends but still in the sheath nearer the body.

[Feefo]

Hi Sue,

You have done everything right but the missing feathers and puncture mark could point to a predator attack and the need for antibiotics.

I will PM you the numbers I have for Helen.

Cynthia

[pigeonpoo]

Thanks Cynth,

No reply on those numbers. I have PMed you.

Sue

[wolfwood]

Are Wood Pigeons really as big as the photo looks? What a beauty!

[pigeonpoo]

They are indeed large birds - certainly larger than a regular homing pigeon.

[pigeonpoo]

Aaargh! I can't get in touch with Nootie and can't wait any longer with this baby, he needs antibiotics as Cynth thinks he might have been the victim of a cat given that he has so few tail feathers and a wound on his breast. He has survived the night and I intend to get him to the vets today - no surgery until five this evening though.

If I continue to feed thawed peas, does he also need water giving? He is not drinking or eating himself - possible due to shock or maybe he is not quite old enough yet... I have given him pigeon mix but perhaps he doesn't recognise it.

Sue

[amyable]

Poor soul, I hope he's ok.

I don't think you need worry about water if you're giving defrosted peas as they have quite a bit of moisture in them.

Best of luck today at the vets,

Janet

[pigeonpoo]

Many thanks Cynth and Janet for your advice with this baby.

I didn't like the look of him when I went to feed at lunch time - his droppings had turned to liquid and he didn't seem as feisty. I decided that he couldn't wait till the evening to see the vet (who refused to prescribe over the phone this morning, even though Cynth had told me what to ask for).

I was able to do a bit of juggling with my schedule and took him to The Three Owls Bird Sanctuary. I was very impressed by the set up there and was assured that Buddy (the woodie), as I named him, would be given every chance and released as soon as he was ready. There was a huge aviary just for woodies where he could learn to feed himself and socialise before the release. I was given a number to identify him and can ring any time to check on his progress. I shall ring in a week and update here.

sue