Baby Pigeon found NYC

1509 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by wolfwood, Mar 8, 2009

basalt

Discussion Starter · Mar 7, 2009 (Edited)

Hi there everyone, long time lurker and fellow pigeon-lover here with a question for you all.
I live in Queens NY and on my way out this afternoon I saw a small young pigeon, (not super young, but still with a good amount of yellow feathers sticking out) wandering around the stairs leading up to the subway platform. I was of course immediately concerned for the little guy's health but he seemed alert and was walking around and preening. However he didn't seem able to fly away and just stood there giving me a funny look when I crouched down to him. Anyways, I decided to leave well enough alone and was hoping he maybe just chose not to fly away and would be on his way eventually. Well I just got home 4 hours later and he is curled up in a corner by the same stairs.
Luckily it is a beautifully warm day out so he shouldn't have suffered much of an ordeal but I am feeling horribly guilty about leaving him out there.
Should I bring him back here with me? I think he needs a helping hand but I didn't want to bring him in needlessly if he didn't need my help.
Thanks so much all of you in advance!

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jenfer

· #2 · Mar 8, 2009

He's too young to fly. On the ground, he's vulnerable to predators.

Can you go back now and bring him in if he's still there. Another rehabber I know is currently caring for a squeaker, so he may be able to take yours.

Jennifer

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basalt

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 8, 2009

if he's still there i will definitely bring him in. i don't have anything of a bird-seed nature in my house and it's a bit late to run to the pet store. would he be alright til the morning without? or is there something i have around the house i may be able to feed him?

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spirit wings

· #4 · Mar 8, 2009

basalt said:
if he's still there i will definitely bring him in. i don't have anything of a bird-seed nature in my house and it's a bit late to run to the pet store. would he be alright til the morning without? or is there something i have around the house i may be able to feed him?

you can use thawed out peas or corn, and pop those in his beak. that is if you have any.

oh and cat or small dog food pieces can help in a pinch.

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jenfer

· #5 · Mar 8, 2009

If the location seems relatively secure and he's close to flying age, he might be OK, but I personally would probably err on the side of picking him up. Did you see any adults around who could be the parents?

My rehabber friend (also in Queens) might be willing to take this bird in to raise with the other one he just found (also in a subway station) if you are interested. He drives, so he could probably arrange to pick him up from you, maybe even tonight. Can you send me an email with details? (Just click on my name and select "send email.")

Jennifer

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basalt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 8, 2009

well little guy (or girl, of course) is back safe with me and promptly settled in and is taking a nap on some cozy gloves

jen, i will email you about this little guy in a moment. and to simultaneously be helpful and since i know everyone loves baby pics, i attached one.

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spirit wings

· #7 · Mar 8, 2009

ahhh he's a witty bitty cute baby punkin.

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maryjane

· #8 · Mar 8, 2009

Good call, that little guy is too young to be running around unsupervised.

He should do fine with some thawed peas and corn, or soaked cat or dog kibble. You can pick up some seed at the pet store if possible tomorrow, though he probably won't know what to do with it. Try tapping your finger among the seeds to give him the hang of it, sometimes that helps. In a week or so he should be starting to fly well enough to be released again. Thanks for taking him in and please ask any questions you think of.

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basalt

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 8, 2009

Thanks all of you for you helpful responses

I'm happy to report little pij has been passed off into the capable hands of a local wildlife rehabber (Many thanks to Jennifer for getting me in touch with him. And just blocks from my house. Isn't NY great??) where he will get the care he needs and will hopefully be released to live a that high-flyin city life!
Thanks again!

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spirit wings

· #10 · Mar 8, 2009

basalt said:
Thanks all of you for you helpful responses
I'm happy to report little pij has been passed off into the capable hands of a local wildlife rehabber (Many thanks to Jennifer for getting me in touch with him. And just blocks from my house. Isn't NY great??) where he will get the care he needs and will hopefully be released to live a that high-flyin city life!
Thanks again!

sweeeet!