The Saga of Aussie

[AZWhitefeather]

Last evening I got a call from Shi telling me one of her friends called & left a message that a pigeon was spotted at a local Outback Steakhouse that was unable to fly.
Shi asked if I would ride along to go find this pigeon. So off we go.

We arrive at the Outback about 8:30 PM. Shi went inside to find her friend while I began looking around for the grounded bird. Couldn't find either.

We continued looking for the pij, to no avail. We had just about exhausted our hunt when I looked over & under the light post, behind the building & close to the street, stood a lone pigeon.
We waited until a couple cars went by then I was able to corner the little guy & catch him. He appears to be a youngster. He felt like he had bathed in a vat of oil. His feathers were, & still are, a mess.

We went back to Shi's to get him settled for the night.
There was no visible canker upon exam. His crop seemed a bit puffy & we noticed a small hard bump.

I spread his wings & both were missing feathers as well as his tail, although he had no signs of injury. He had produced no poops.

It was getting late so we decided to let him rest for the night & then this morning we would give him a good bath. I did bathe him but he will need several more before he's squeaky clean.

Shi called Dr. Funk at about 8:30 this morning & was able to get Aussie in at 2. In the meantime, Aussie had begun to eat & produce poops. Initally they were dark green but soon changed to nearly textbook poops.

Dr Funk said the crop felt fine, so we don't have any idea what the 'bump' was that we felt. Fecal test was negative.
Other than his missing feathers & greasy body he felt Aussie would make a full recovery from whatever he got into. He agreed, several baths were in order. He suggested keeping him secure until his feathers grow back & offer him some good meals (which Shi will see that he gets ). Then he should be ready for release.

I have visited Dr. Funk three times. The first was when I took our Pij in. The second was when I took Kim's Splash in & today. Never have I felt rushed. The day after I took Pij in, he called to see how he was doing & he called Kim the after I took Splash in to see how she was doing. Both these birds had some serious issues going on at the time.

I'm sure Shi will be on to post whatever I may have missed & to give us an update on Aussie.

Cindy

[Pidgey]

Bravo! I got through most of it before I finally made the connection between the name, Aussie, and the Outback Steakhouse. Sounds like the little guy has a weird story that may never be told but he's got luck on his side, nonetheless, hooking up with y'all.

Pidgey

[Birdmom4ever]

Great teamwork, Cindy and Shi!

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by Pidgey

Bravo!

* I got through most of it before I finally made the connection between the name, Aussie, and the Outback Steakhouse.

** Sounds like the little guy has a weird story that may never be told but he's got luck on his side, nonetheless, hooking up with y'all.

Pidgey

* Yeah, I thought that was cleaver. And the credit goes to Shi.

** It's hard telling what he got into, but it's understandable why he can't fly. In addition to missing quite a few feathers, his feathers in general are extremely heavy.

He's a little beauty. Nearly solid black.
I'll see about getting some pictures in the next few days.

Cindy

[Charis]

Poor little thing. He/she is very lucky you two came to the rescue. What kind of grease do you think Aussie got in to?
Shi...I think you have your very own flock now. Would you ever have imagined this, had someone told you ten years back, that you would soon be living with pigeons...let alone have your own flock?!

[Oops...just noticed you posted you don't know what Aussie got in to.]

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

Great teamwork, Cindy and Shi!

Thanks, Cathy.

Originally Posted by Charis

* Poor little thing. He/she is very lucky you two came to the rescue.

** What kind of grease do you think Aussie got in to?

Shi...I think you have your very own flock now. Would you ever have imagined this, had someone told you ten years back, that you would soon be living with pigeons...let alone have your own flock?!

* He was pretty forlorn looking when we spotted him.

** I have no idea.
His feathers aren't matted, rather appear to have been doused with something. He didn't smell of oil. But sure feels oily.
I've picked up some pretty 'dirty' pijjies, but nothing like this one.

Cindy

[TAWhatley]

Great rescue, Cindy and Shi! Thank you both! Best of everything to Aussie and his/her caretakers!

Terry

[Trees Gray]

Aussie is lucky to find you two, thanks for helping this little beauty.

Looking forward to updates.

[John_D]

Well done folks

If he was around a steakhouse, maybe he got some kind of spilled cooking oil on him ?

John

[Lady Tarheel]

Great job ladies and thanks to Shi's friend for spotting this little guy.

We have often picked up babies/fledglings around restaurants. The parents will often build their nests around grease traps on the roof of restaurants and the resulting "vapors or steam" (or whatever) gets on them and the babies. The area around the grease traps is often very greasy. I expect that is what is on your baby. A few baths in Dawn should work wonders.

Shi, that is a great name! I know you're gonna be a great foster mom!

[little bird]

SHI ... at the rate you are going .... you better get a sofa-bed for your living room so you have a place to sleep. Looks like you are becoming a pigeon-magnet and you'll have to convert your bedroom to a birdroom. That was a great rescue and big hug to your friend for caring enough to alert you.

[mr squeaks]

Originally Posted by little bird

SHI ... at the rate you are going .... you better get a sofa-bed for your living room so you have a place to sleep. Looks like you are becoming a pigeon-magnet and you'll have to convert your bedroom to a birdroom. That was a great rescue and big hug to your friend for caring enough to alert you.

Tell me about it, Nona! In fact, due to a storm we had last night, Aussie slept in my bedroom on the OTHER side of my bed! I was almost surrounded by pijies!

Aussie seems to doing just fine. She is staying on my balcony and is eating and pooping (especially, pooping!) just fine.

I've given her a bath twice and the water does get dirty but she still has a way to go to get the junk off her feathers. And speaking of feathers, they are a MESS! Some missing, others, just part shafts...poor little one. Yet, she will be a beauty when all grows back!

I think she is a Spread, but only time will tell. I call her "she"...just a "feelin'"...

Stay tuned for updates and pictures...

THANKS, CINDY, FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!

Love and Hugs

Shi and Aussie

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by mr squeaks

THANKS, CINDY, FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!

Shi and Aussie

You're most welcome.

I may not be able to take any more in, but at least I'm still able to catch those little guys.

Cindy

[lwerden]

Shi & Cindy.............Another great story. Another great rescue!!!

YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING!!!!

Can't wait to see pictures.

Louise

[AZWhitefeather]

Originally Posted by lwerden

Shi & Cindy.............Another great story. Another great rescue!!!

YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING!!!!

Can't wait to see pictures.

Louise

Thanks, Louise.

I completely forgot to grab my camera yesterday morning when I left the house.
Hopefully in the next couple days I can get some pictures of Aussie & get them posted.

When I was taking in birds, I always tried to get before & after photos.

Cindy