[astralbones]

Hello, all. So glad I found this forum!
Last night my housemates and I came across an injured or ill grey pigeon in Melbourne, Australia. Moonee Valley area. We were able to put it in a cat carrier and get it home. We have it in a dark secure shed out back in a cardboard box.
I made up a hydrating solution last night for it and left it with some uncooked rice and lettuce. I refreshed that today. This morning it seemed much brighter but it still can't fly very far. I haven't witnessed it eating or drinking but I think it must be because it's giving off excrement and the water and foods look tampered with. Today almost all the second lot of lettuce I gave looks gone. Someone at the pet supply store I went to assisted with picking some seeds and other items. We are trying to handle it very minimally as it is quite stressed.
There's no visible wounds on the bird. It's now able to walk around a bit. At first I thought it may have a virus, but it doesn't seem to be behaving in the way that other sick pigeons are in the youtube videos I looked at.
I'm wondering if it's just bruised up from a potential accident or maybe it was very dehydrated and just needs a good rest.
I would like to bring it inside to monitor more closely but I don't want it to get too comfortable around people and we also have cats. I will check in again tonight and if it's able to fly, we'll release it as soon as possible.
I have been assured that most (if not every) vet we take it to will euthanise. I just can't do that to a bird that seems to be responding to care. We also can't let it go without knowing it can fly or it will be an easy target for cats and dogs.
Honestly, I just need some support that what I'm doing is ok? Most of the people I'm talking to about this suggest euthanising and I just can't do that to an animal that appears to be improving.
Any Australians here? Anyone know someone in Melbourne that might want to take on our new little friend if they are unable to be returned to the wild? Anyone aware of a vet or rescue group in Melbourne that will care for feral pigeons/doves?? It may need special treatment. I'm not educated in regards to birds or pigeons but I'm doing my best to learn what I can.

 

[witold&elzbieta]

Don't listen to what others are telling you and just allow the pigeon more time to recover. Pigeons are social animals and don't like to be alone, so I would try to spend more time with him/her. If the pigeon has appetite, it can't be that bad!

 

[cwebster]

Thank you for rescuing him! Would continue to feed him and spend time with him. You may want to bring him inside and cage him in a cage or old dog crate or cat carrier so you can monitor his health yet protect him from your cats. We put our rescues in the bathroom and close the door because we have five cats. Hope he recovers well. Our first bird was an injured feral oigeon. The local rescue was going to euthanize her so we rescued her and she became our dearest love for eight wonderful years! You are right to beware vets and so-called rescues who just euthanize pigeons. Again, welcome to pigeontalk and thank you for rescuing the bird!

 

[Marina B]

Can you maybe post a photo of the droppings? This will show if he's eating by himself or not. A firm round brown dropping with a white dot will confirm this. If he's producing green and creamy droppings, this will be a sign that he's not eating.

 

[astralbones]

Thanks for all your responses! I've spent a good deal of time with pigeon today and I'm so thankful I did because they relaxed enough to eat and drink in front of me. I can't tell you how glad I am. The droppings in the cage are leaning towards creamy green but there are some firmer brown ones present also. Perhaps it was too scared to eat for a while but is now able. I'll keep my eye on the droppings and report back.
I think I'm now understanding why they're struggling to fly. The tail feathers look rather mangled and torn, and the left wing is missing some longer feathers and mid length feathers. It seems to be otherwise improving so I'm hoping that's all that's wrong.
I've attached some images. Please excuse the pigeon mess in some, I've since put down fresh paper and I'm washing the towel as I type for nesting.
The first image shows the box setup I have. A small water dish, a larger one for bathing, and a plate for food.
The second shows the tail damage to some extent.
The third shows the left wing issues somewhat.
I'll try to take more photos as we become closer. I'm trying to be mindful not to startle or upset them further.

 

[astralbones]

I've inspected more droppings. They are still watery with dark green sections and aren't firm looking. I know the bird is eating so I can only assume that it has runny movements because of stress or illness. I'll keep a close eye. I looked up what healthy droppings are supposed to look like and these aren't it. I'll post photos tomorrow. Can't thank you all enough for the support.

 

[Marina B]

Pigeons like to perch on something, you can put a brick in the box for him to perch on.

It is possible that he might have a disease, and therefore almost got caught by a predator. Otherwise it's a good sign that he's eating, hopefully only needs a couple of weeks for the feathers to grow back. Try and get some grit from a petshop, that will help with digestion. Apple cider vinegar in the drinking water will also do him good, 5 ml acv to 1 l of water.

 

[cwebster]

Lovely bird! Thank you for rescuing him.

 

[Jay3]

He doesn't look well to me. He is probably sick with something and needs meds. Would need an avian vet. But you would need to tell them that he was your pet bird.

 

[cwebster]

There s a melbourne avian vet. Maybe they could examine your "pet" then put an ad up to help rehome him? I dont know anything about the vet. Our vets have a wall where people post ads for rehoming.
http://www.melbournebirdvet.com/wild-bird.aspx
There are several wildlife rescues listed near melbourne. Just google "pigeon rescue near Melbourne". Again, i know nothing about them. We rescued our beloved Phoebe after our local " rescue" was going to euthanize her. Best thing we ever did! She was a family member for eight great years.
If you consult any vet, tell them the bird is your pet. If you consult any rescuers, please make sure theupy dont just euthanize pigeons.
https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/

 

[astralbones]

Very helpful responses here. Thank you so much!! I will implement all the suggestions.
We are feeding with a protein mix of biscuit and egg which was suggested by someone at a pet supply store and a mixed seed.
My housemate already contacted Wildlife Victoria and they made it very clear that they couldn't help us, sadly.
Pigeon is looking brighter again today but is still obviously unwell.
I took them into the backyard earlier for some fresh air which seemed to perk them up a little. I'll continue to do that. I've been talking to them very softly and I can tell that they're becoming more comfortable with me. I'm deliberately using very slow movements. I watched them eat and drink.
They're still looking listless and won't even attempt to fly, but they are fanning out their feathers and moving about the box more easily. Their droppings don't look good at all but they're better than they were the first night. I will attach an image.
I'm in the process of emailing my local vet. I read something about a bird specialist on their website so I'm hoping they can assist. Perhaps they'll let me supply them with a droppings sample rather than take the bird in straight away. I know it will stress them and I'm concerned it will make them worse.
I really hope we can get them well again!

 

[cwebster]

Beautiful birds! Thank you for helping them. Hope they are all better soon. Hope when you take them outside they are caged because if they take off while still sick they could be predator chow. Having spent three days trying to get our escaped Blue back home, i know how hard it is if one takes off unexpectedly. (Blue got home but a large hawk nearly got him first.)

 

[Marina B]

Agree with cwebster. Plse don't take him outside unless in a cage, he might just get more energy from having food available and if he's sick and fly away now, he won't survive.

Are there 2 pigeons or only one?

 

[Jay3]

There is only one. I think they keep saying they and they're because they aren't sure of the gender'
You can just call him he. That would be less confusing.

 

[astralbones]

One bird, Jay3 is correct. We've since named him Drib so I can use that and he from now on to avoid confusion.
There's a number of healthy looking droppings today which is a wonderful relief.
I've made an appointment with a specialist vet but couldn't get in until the 13th so I'm still looking incase we can get in somewhere else sooner.
All in all Drib's looking much better but I have noticed some neck twisting. Not much but I know from reading that it's probably a symptom of illness. Does anyone know if neck twisting is always a bad sign?
I'm on the lookout for a suitable cage but for the moment he's probably safe in the box outside with the top open for a short period a day with me very close by. I know he can't get far even if he does try to fly. His tail feathers are quite mangled. I have the box lid open in our shed the rest of the time and check regularly. The shed has been secured. If he was flying or even trying to fly he'd be out of the box by now. I'll keep a close eye either way incase it changes suddenly. I know I won't be able to do it for long if all goes to plan and recovery is swift. I don't want to risk him being attacked or getting lost either. I'm right by his side when we're out there.
He's enjoying perching on the brick I put in there for him and I've added apple cider vinegar to his drinking water.
Fingers crossed I can get in to see another avian vet sooner or Drib is able to hold out until the 13th! And hopefully I find a good cage asap.
So happy to have this forum. You've all been so much help.

 

[astralbones]

Have moved Drib into the bathroom out of the rising heat in the shed. No need to take him outside for light and fresh air now.
May also be able to see a specialist as early as Monday or Tuesday if all goes well.

 

[cwebster]

Please let us know how he is doing.