I am currently rehabbing a wild juvenile pigeon that seems to have fallen from the nest and hurt its leg or foot. It is walking better and learning to fly, so I don't think he will be staying with us much longer. He just became able to fly to things about a foot tall.
I'm wondering how much of a risk I'm taking in terms of a bird mite infestation. The reading I did said bird mites need bird blood to survive, so it seems unlikely that we would get any mites persisting after the bird returns to the wild. But the numerous websites describing extensive cleaning needed to eliminate a bird mite infestation is a bit troubling.
Is there any way to tell if a bird has mites? He doesn't seem to be preening excessively. From what I understand the mites are very small and difficult to see. Has anyone had problems with mites when keeping a wild pigeon at home temporarily?
Thanks
I'm wondering how much of a risk I'm taking in terms of a bird mite infestation. The reading I did said bird mites need bird blood to survive, so it seems unlikely that we would get any mites persisting after the bird returns to the wild. But the numerous websites describing extensive cleaning needed to eliminate a bird mite infestation is a bit troubling.
Is there any way to tell if a bird has mites? He doesn't seem to be preening excessively. From what I understand the mites are very small and difficult to see. Has anyone had problems with mites when keeping a wild pigeon at home temporarily?
Thanks
