wild pigeon won't fly

[Melodymm]

so, I'm from north idaho, and a few days ago while at my friends ranch I noticed a pigeon hopping towards the barn with a cat after it. I scared the cat away and followed the bird into the barn. It didn't seem to notice me at first, when it did take notice it didn't seem alarmed. It went into a corner, but wouldn't even try to fly. I gently picked it up and checked it over, it was very calm during this process, it didn't even flap its wings, it did coo a little bit though. it seemed unharmed. all feathers in place, no cuts, no obvious broken bones at the time. its eyes were clear. I just noticed today a small lump on its wing, I'm not sure if its a break or just swelling. we put it in a bird cage that she had and gave it water and some grain. It drank and ate some food. I bought it some wild bird food and it has been eating and drinking fine. But it won't fly. It seems to have gotten a bit better as it has more energy, enough to peck at me a little bit when i pick it up, but it still won't fly, it will only stretch its wings a little bit. it won't fully extend them. I am weary about releasing it to the wild without knowing if it can fly, and especially with the weather being in the low teens. I don't want it to freeze to death. and i dont exactly have the money to take it to the vet.

 

[sourland]

It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but it may be a young pigeon - that coupled with a possible wing injury may be keeping it from flying. Provide feed and water, and it may gain strength/heal and become able to fly. You're doing a good thing!

 

[Melodymm]

Okay, thank you. And I don't think it is very young. Maybe a year or two, I'm guessing. I don't know birds very well. I also don't know if it's a boy or girl.

 

[Hokum Coco]

so, I'm from north idaho, and a few days ago while at my friends ranch I noticed a pigeon hopping towards the barn

It does have some nostril cere but it is not that well developed. I am thinking it may have just over did itself and needs a little TLC. That some times happens with young birds (I am thinking it is near adult age and is done doing the squeaker vocalization.)

 

[jak2002003]

Well done for being such a kind person to help this pigeon!

I think the best you can do is keep it resting for a couple of weeks in the cage.. with plenty of seed and water.

After this time. let it out in a room and see if it tries to fly. Hopefully by then the wing will have healed.

If the cat did bite the bird or scratch it.. they often get infection from the bacteria in the cats mouth.. which can kill them.... so keep a close eye on it.. if it seems to get less active or appears sick you should take it to a vet for some antibiotics.

For now its best to keep it confined so it does not try to use the wing.. as this will slow up the healing process.

Good luck for you and your pigeon.

.

 

[Melodymm]

Thank you, I appreciate the advice. I have always loved helping anything or anyone in need, it makes life a little bit better helping something that can't do anything for me. It was a struggle to get my parents to let me help sick or injured animals, especially birds, when I was younger, now they realize that either they let me help,or I do it anyways. As I am only 15 they definitely have control of the house, and I listen to their rules, unless they say no to helping an injured animal. As long as I pay for anything that the animal needs, they don't mind. My last 2 rescues were kittens, but before that it was almost always birds.

 

[jak2002003]

Thank you, I appreciate the advice. I have always loved helping anything or anyone in need, it makes life a little bit better helping something that can't do anything for me. It was a struggle to get my parents to let me help sick or injured animals, especially birds, when I was younger, now they realize that either they let me help,or I do it anyways. As I am only 15 they definitely have control of the house, and I listen to their rules, unless they say no to helping an injured animal. As long as I pay for anything that the animal needs, they don't mind. My last 2 rescues were kittens, but before that it was almost always birds.

Good for you... maybe you will be a vet in the future?

Be careful thought, once people know you rescue birds you might end up with them bringing you lots more.... that's what happened to me.. but I did not mind. I have a house full of birds now... most are ones that the vets told people they could not help and they needed to be put to sleep.. or even told them to just put them back in the wild....(when they were still sick!).

I release nearly all my birds.. but a few can't go back.. like a dove with a dislocated wing.. but they still enjoy their lives and are not suffering... and I am sure they would rather be alive then being killed just because they can't go back to the wild.

How is your pigeon doing now?

 

[Melodymm]

Good for you... maybe you will be a vet in the future?

Be careful thought, once people know you rescue birds you might end up with them bringing you lots more.... that's what happened to me.. but I did not mind.  I have a house full of birds now... most are ones that the vets told people they could not help and they needed to be put to sleep.. or even told them to just put them back in the wild....(when they were still sick!). 

I release nearly all my birds.. but a few can't go back.. like a dove with a dislocated wing.. but they still enjoy their lives and are not suffering... and I am sure they would rather be alive then being killed just because they can't go back to the wild. 

How is your pigeon doing now?

My pigeon is doing good, he is eating and drinking plenty. Still can't fly though, he has tried little bit but he can't do it. It's a pleasure to have him though, it gives me something to do.

I even painted a picture of him.

 

[laughingdog]

good job, melody (and nice painting/picture)!

maybe check very carfully the non bumped wing,extending, feeling how bones and joints move as manipulating everything. then carefully extend n feel other, checking for differences. if your bird isn't holding wing/s odd (low or drooping or out), n feathers keeping folded under decent, then probably not broken but possibly what you'd look at as wrist, or elbow, are commonly dislocated as they are batted at and defend self. not too serious an injury, but best to find, then gently massage etc back in place, then wrap firm but not too tight, and leave on for month maybe even. broken bones on wings can be dealt with same, as birds are very resilient and heal quick (why best to do something quick now so later not having to rebrake if want full flight capabilities). look up pics as feel what is what all along as go to help you learn. Pigeons great pets and easily tamed bonding even in flock to you to be trained for your and their enjoyment. finding friend/s for your new buddy would be great also. A 2' 3' or 4' squared "kit box" or coop, would easily and discreetly be great way to keep decent amout of rescue feral (they neither live long or great on own, same as most gone feral, domestic pet types), and/or some domestic breeds of pigeons. birm rollers easiest n cheapest to keep, oriental rollers best evaders of Birds Of Prey (BOPs), parlor rollers lose ability to fly after three months and are seen as tamest breed generally because.