Um... so I have this pigeon. Help?

[TAWhatley]

I'm happy for you and the bird! I know it can get very tedious when the little ones are reluctant to eat and drink on their own. You've done well, and thank you so much for helping this bird!

Terry

[evepin]

Gosh - wished I lived closer to Tacoma! I just ordered a 50 lb bag of pigeon grit, and my little rehab pij passed away two days ago......guess I can use the grit as driveway sand this winter.

Hope your pij does well - they really are very interesting to watch, and I love that cooing sound they make. I'm afraid I can't offer much advice - I'm a newbie pij rehabber myself (with only one experience that didn't end up very well). But best of luck, and keep us posted!

Ev

[pony]

Well, Oliver definitely got the hang of eating, he consumed huge amounts of seed, moderate amounts of water, as well as some grit since yesterday morning.

But his aversion to me only got worse. Every time I opened the bathroom door to check on him and change his water and stuff yesterday and this morning, he would freak out and fly around like a mad bird, crashing into the walls in a panic. *sigh* After the second episode this morning, I gave up. He was going to break a wing or something the way he was going berserk, so I waited untill he landed in his basket, threw a towel over it, (which led to more hysterics) and took him out onto the patio.

I took the towel away and went and sat in a chair, and he immediately flew up onto the patio table. Then he flew up onto the wall. After a moment of looking around and bobbing his head like crazy, he took off and flew up up UP to the roof of the next building.

He walked around up there for a few minutes, then took off again, flying across back to our roof. He peeked over the eaves at me, then disappeared from my view.

I left a bunch of his seed scattered on the patio by the wild bird feeder just in case he stays close.

I hope he does okay. I see other pigeons over on the roof of the building where he landed quite often, so I know there are some around. I hope he finds them quickly.

I know I probably let him go too soon, but he was so upset all the time being here. I was so afraid he was going to hurt himself.

I'm actually pretty upset over this. I've rescued a lot of animals, (mostly feral cats) and Oliver is the first one that ever reacted to me this way. All the others have relaxed and accepted me. Oliver just got more and more afraid of me. I don't understand why.

Well. Anyway. Thank you for all of your help, folks. I appreciate it. Send some good thoughts Oliver's way and wish him well, could you?

[cyro51]

Oh, dear, I know exactly how you feel! I had a litte collared dove that was literally battering herself to death in the house. In the end I decided that she stood a better chance of survival if I released her prematurely in my garden where she had food and water available than if I kept her indoors.

Oliver has had a good rest, he is eating and drinking and there is food available for him if he hangs around. He has a lot more going for him that most fledgling pigeons. However, it will be really great if you see him again and I hope that you will alert us when you do!

Cynthia

[pony]

Thanks. I do hope he stays close by at least for a while. I'll be checking the seed supply on the patio and keeping it stocked for him just in case.

I'll let you know if I catch sight of him again.

[pony]

You guys won't believe this. He just came back!

I was just about to go out onto the patio for a smoke, and flap flap flap there he was! He ate a bunch of seeds from the pile I'd left out, then walked around the patio a bit looking at stuff. I tried to slip out real quiet so I wouldn't scare him, but when I stepped out he flew over the fence.

But now I know he's ok, and I'm going to keep that pile of seeds there so I know he'll have plenty of food if he isn't finding his own.

This makes me very happy.

[cyro51]

That is wonderful news! I am so pleased!

Cynthia

[pony]

This totally made my day. My boyfriend even thought it was nifty. *grin*

Now that I know he's still hanging around, I'll be more fastidious about changing the bird bath water daily so he'll have plenty of fresh water to drink as well.

Hooray for Oliver! *happy dance*

[John_D]

They know where to find that food

I have one who has been coming round for years - he flies to me, I put food down, but he has an invisible line I must not cross - if I do, he vamooses pretty quick

john

[Reti]

Pigeons are just so sweet and so smart. Wait until he'll bring a few friends over for a meal, and of course his mate

Reti

[pony]

We just got home from getting my boyfriend a new tattoo, (my birthday present to him) and I checked the patio. Sure enough, the fresh pile of seed had a big dent in it, and there was new pigeon poop. hehehe. I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of my little friend.

[pony]

Oliver has been coming by twice a day, in the morning and early evening. I just sat and watched him eat his dinner. He looks a little skinny to me, and his poops are a bit runny again. Is there anything I can put out for him that will give him a nutritional boost? I left some soaked puppy chow out, but he wasn't interested in it.

Also, anybody have any ideas how I can cat-proof a wall? Our neighbor's stupid cat keeps jumping up on our patio wall, he just scared Oliver away a few minutes ago. I can't put up barbed wire or anything, the building manager already said it wouldn't be allowed. But if there's anything non-injuring that would deter the feline, I'd like to do it as soon as possible. Stupid cat. Hmph.

[Izzy]

Hi there Pony and Oliver! Just wanted to reply to let you know I've soooo enjoyed reading this thread. Oliver is a lucky little pigeon to have found you. Oh and this line?

I tried cropping a feel, (ouch. sorry.)

totally cracked me up, but then again, I amuse quite easily, but a fabulous pun, just the same.

I'm new to this pigeon world myself, 3 weeks tomorrow, woohoo! I should get an anniversary dinner or something, sheesh. Friend found 2 hatchlings and I became their new mom. Anyhow, I so can relate to what you were saying about not knowing what a crop is, hell, the last time I even heard that word was when my ex asked where my riding crop was and then we...uh, well, that's a whole different story.

Oh, back to your last question. I'm nowhere near the pro, but definitely a bonafide amateur and I was thinking that it wouldn't hurt for you to mix some stuff into the seeds, like coating the seeds. I found this stuff at my local Petsmart, Prime, which is in a little white container and is a fantastic vitamin/mineral supplement thingie. I'm not sure how much you would use, so maybe the pro's could jump in here and advise.

I would think if you just made Oliver's seed into "super" seed, the extra nutrition would be very helpful.

As far as 'cat proofing' a wall. When I lived in San Francisco, I lived in apartment that had a small yard enclosed with a brick wall. I also have two pittbulls and that is probably the "best" cat proofing solution I could give ya.

Good luck and please keep us updated, I look forward to your next post.

Izzy

btw, I'm actually from Tacoma myself, but living in St. Louis now.

[Reti]

Fot the cat, you could try the cat deterrent sprays or sticky tape. Cats hate that.
You can find them both at the pet store.

Reti

[pony]

Izzy; I think the pittbulls would scare poor Oliver worse than the cat!

Good idea, superseding his diet by super seeding his diet. I'll look for the supplemental coating stuff. Thanks!

Reti; Unfortunately, sprays and tape aren't very effective for outdoor use here in the Pacific Northwest. Too much rain. I think I need something I can build onto the top of the wall to make it too difficult for the cat to land on it when he tries to jump up there.