[PidgeLover]

A pigeon couple decided to nest in a large pot on our balcony and lay a couple eggs. Only one egg hatched, and at this point the fledgling is three weeks old, and the parents leave them alone most of the day and just come back to feed them.

After a month and a half of using the pot their poo has really piled up and the fledgling is basically sitting in a thick layer of wet poo. This not only smells quite a bit (probably not a concern for the pigeons) but has attracted a small swarm of about ten large flies, which are increasing daily.

I know pigeons are a lot hardier than humans, but is this a normal condition for a fledgling to be in? If it's not, is there anything we can do to help?

 

[Marina B]

You can change the pot and fill the new one with small twigs or straw. The parents won't abandon the baby because he was touched by a human.

 

[PidgeLover]

Thanks, we followed your advice and cleaned out the pot. Initially we were worried because the fledgling rejected the new clean nest and was standing in the corner of the balcony where it's situated (he's just big enough to get out of the pot, but not ready to fly). Luckily he decided to return overnight and the parents are feeding him regularly so all seems good now.