injured pigeon outside in winter?

[backyardbird]

Hello everyone!
About 6 weeks ago, I saw a car hit a pigeon and drive away. The poor thing was trying to limp the side of the road so I pulled over thinking the bird was dying but was surprised to find it alive and alert. I took "Midge" home thinking she would either die comfortably in my backyard or get better and leave.

Well, she's still there! After about 4 weeks she has improved quite a bit. Her one leg, which she was unable to walk on, is now healed enough for her to stand on (although she still limps). Her wing, which she could not lift very well, now flaps with speed though it doesn't spread as wide as her healthy one. At this point she cannot fly.

I am unable to bring her into my apartment (which is small and home to 3 cats), but I'd be happy to let her live in my small backyard. However, I fear for the winter and upcoming snow storms. What kind of small, stable shelter can "Midge" live in during 2 feet of snow (remember she can't fly and I'm not sure she could climb very high)?

Is it cruel to keep her - should I drop her off in a city park? Or is that certain doom for a flightless pigeon?

On final note - "Midge" always sits by my back door (which is all glass) and looks in to my apt. all day and night. I feel terrible that she might be really lonely...any thoughts?

I've never had a bird before and I'm a little lost!

Thank you for any help-
Best, Jessica
Philadelphia, PA

[John_D]

Hi Jessica,

It's nice that you have concern about this hurt pigeon.

Pigeons will wait outside doors when they need help sometimes - they seem to have an affinity with us. Please don't try to release her anywhere - a grounded pigeon could not survive. Some of our USA members may know of a rehab that might help.

In the meantime, are you providing Midge with food and water, or is she just foraging somehow? If the winter is starting to set in, a pigeon burns energy just trying to keep warm, so mixed corn, real pigeon mix (if there is a store which sells it) or even wild bird food would be a help to her.

If there is no way you can take her in, and let her stay in a cage or suitable alternative for a while, do you have a small shed or any kind of safe (from predators - including cats, of course) structure in the backyard?

What a pigeon needs, apart from sustenance, is a weatherproof place where nothing can get at it. I don't know what kind of temperatures you have there now, but pigeons are less concerned about cold than they are drafts and dampness, provided they get sufficient food and water.

Do you have a vet who would take a look at a pigeon - and absolutely not put it to sleep? Any injury can result in infection, too.

I'm sure other members will be along later. Please keep us posted.

John (UK)

[TAWhatley]

Hi Jessica .. John has given you good advice regarding Midge's needs for the winter. I'll see if we can find someone in your area to offer Midge a home until she is fully recuperated or a permanent home if there is some lingering disability.

Thank you so much for helping this bird!

Terry

[backyardbird]

Thank you for your replies!

I have been feeding Midge a "pigeon/dove" mix of seeds, bread, rice, etc. plus fresh water every day. she lives in a big cardboard box with some newspaper and plastic tarp over it to keep her dry.

I do not have a shed (I have a very small, concrete backyard). I could purchase a small shed, but I'd be concerned that she would get snowed in if there was a blizzard. Do you think she could manage to hop up if there were a foot or more of snow on the ground and she needed to get to higher ground? She flaps like crazy but doesn't take off....

I do not have a vet to take her to that I trust. Mosts city vets would consider her unworthy of treatment, I think. She doesn't seem to have any infections. She is energetic and happy each day.

thank you for your offer Terry. I hope that someone might like to adopt Midge, but if not, I'd be happy to make her part of my family (as long as she doesn't mind being outside this year). Maybe one day I'll own a home with more space for Midge!

thanks again-
Jessica

[TAWhatley]

Hi Jessica,

Thank you again for caring for Midge .. hang in for a bit .. I've got some posts out to see if anyone can adopt Midge. Just keep taking good care of her and all will be well. Don't know about her jumping the snow drifts and all but hopefully we can have this happily resolved before we really have to worry about that.

Are you able to drive Midge to an adoptive home at all .. if so, how far?

Terry

[cyro51]

Hi Jessica,

Perhaps you could get her a large rabbit hutch on stilts to protect her from the weather and from predators. She would need to be secured inside it, because if she can get in so can a predator but you could let her out for supervised time.

In my experience injured pigeons appreciate the security of a cage.

Cynthia

[backyardbird]

Hi again and thanks for the help. I really appreciate your expertise.

I live in Philadelphia and would be willing to drive Midge anywhere in New Jersey or southeast PA. That would include Delaware too.

I know it's best for Midge to go live with some one who really knows how to care for her, but I have to admit, I'd be sad to see her go. I've gotten pretty attached to her.

Thank you Cynthia for the rabbit hutch idea. I think that would be terrific, but I can't figure out how Midge would get up to a hutch that is high up on stilts...

Do you folks think her wing is broken? She can flap it so fast, but never fully extends it. I was wondering if it might just be sprained...

Thanks again!
Jessica

[cyro51]

Hi Jessica,

She would have to be lifted in and out. Having an open hutch would probably make her even more vulnerable to predators.

But during the day she could have supervised free time.

Cynthia

[backyardbird]

I guess you're right Cynthia- since she would have to be in an enclosed structure for safety, I'd have to lift her in and out regardless of her ability to fly...

So, unless Midge gets adopted, I'll be purchasing a rabbit hutch on stilts! Any suggestions on where to buy one that isn't too expensive?

A friend came over to see her last night and told me he thinks Midge might be a dove. Since Midge's full name is "Midge the Pij", I'd better find out if he's right or her name won't make any sense!

Best wishes to you all,
Jessica