Uhm.. Hurt Pigeon? - Paw Talk

Phoebe'sBean · #1 10-17-2006, 07:22 PM

Okay, so I just had a strange experience. My neighbor came over and handed me a bucket and asked if I could watch it for a few hours while she went to soccer practice. What is it I'm watching? Not an abandoned kitten or a cute puppy, but a PIGEON. Holly found it in the gutter.. broken leg for sure, wings look really messed up.. She couldn't leave it there, so she wants it to sit in my garage while she goes to soccer practice. After that.. I don't know. Vets would probably put it down, I don't know what she expects me to do with it. Do I leave it? Throw it out (I can't do that,

)? I've just left it.. didn't go much near it. Pigeons are.. blegh to me. And Holly is a SERIOUS dingbat. Any advice? Anything I should tell her when she comes back, like.. just let it go? I don't know..

***Jade*** · #2 10-17-2006, 07:36 PM

Call a local vet and ask for the number for a wildlife rehabilitator.

Chrissy · #3 10-17-2006, 08:32 PM

I think it would be cruel to just 'throw it out' or let it go.. it would be best to follow Jade's advice and call a vet to get the number for a wildlife rehabilitator. Pigeons are creatures too who need help when unfortunate things happen to them

Phoebe'sBean · #4 10-17-2006, 08:37 PM

Well, it in a box in my garage with some bread. Still alive, but looking pretty uncomfortable.

I won't really leave it out in the cold to die.. I'm just not going to touch it or get too close to it. I'll let Holly know when she gets back. Thanks

***Jade*** · #5 10-17-2006, 08:42 PM

Vegas Rehabbers

Please call sooner rather than later. It's probably very painful.

Phoebe'sBean · #6 10-17-2006, 08:56 PM

Thanks so much. Just printed it, Holly's on her way home. Will keep you updated.

Phoebe'sBean · #7 10-22-2006, 11:12 PM

Sorry for the wait. Pigeon died that night, not sure why. Legs were fine, wings were DEFINATELY broken. (Not trying to be gross/weird), but when I dissected pigeons last year for Zoology, this pigeon was just about that messed up.. green feathers, crooked neck - and those pigeons were vaccuume sealed.. Must've been hit by a car.

Tried the wildlife rehabs before. Didn't get to them all, but most were either out of range or not interested in pigeons. I can imagine - If they took in all the pigeons reported, well.. you know. They go primarily around big horns, bigger birds, TORTOISES for sure. I'm actually in the midst of rehabilitating a desert tortoise (very young) as it was abused before coming to my Bio II AP class. Anyway, my point is I didn't expect anyone to take him. He would've died with me (which he did) or be put down by a vet. At least he got a nice meal in.

GeishaGirl · #8 10-23-2006, 03:10 AM

I have had the same experience with rock doves (Pigeons). I helped 2 rock doves out and only one I was able to help out on my own, but another was VERY young, maybe a week or so before able to fly.

Any who she was on the street downtown and I went over to her, crouched down and she immediately went under me for protection. I took her home and fed her, gave her water, then she went a couple of days later with the SPCA came by and took her in until she was able to fend for herself. Which was not long for her.

They even had a crate made all comfy with pillows and treats as I called ahead first to make she she would get help and not put down as she was healthy/ I named her Phoenix and I hope she is doing well!!

VanillaRat · #9 10-23-2006, 06:28 PM

Awww...at least you tried a little.I always say when things like that happen,it is meant to be.

I personally love pigeons.I used to always feed them and even had them coming on my arms and hands looking for food!One time one flew into my house.Poor thing panicked and flew around all freaked out.I managed to get him back out.I think he knew I wanted to help him.I held a broom stick up to him,he was sitting on the top of the window all freaked and when I held the stick up to him,he climbed on it and let me lower him outside.He still returned for awhile after that, looking for some yummies!

GeishaGirl · #10 10-23-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla_Rat


	...I personally love pigeons.I used to always feed them and even had them coming on my arms and hands looking for food!One time one flew into my house.Poor thing panicked and flew around all freaked out.I managed to get him back out.I think he knew I wanted to help him.I held a broom stick up to him,he was sitting on the top of the window all freaked and when I held the stick up to him,he climbed on it and let me lower him outside.He still returned for awhile after that, looking for some yummies!

Cute!! Remember the 2 Rock Doves that always came over to my window and inside my room on 118? I

Rock Doves!!

vickipugh · #11 11-11-2006, 02:40 PM

I know it's too late for this pigeon now, but if anyone ever finds a pigeon with a broken leg, it is possible to create a splint for the injured leg using match sticks. It doesn't always work but it's worth a try!

Also, with damaged wings, best thing to do is to immobilise the wing - ie use tape of sort sort to keep it tight to the body. Depending on the severity of the injury, given time it may heal itself.

Certainly worth a try.... As long as the bird can get to food/water obviously.

Vicki

Hillarious · #12 11-12-2006, 01:13 AM

Yea it's really hard to rehab a bird, esp. since you have no idea what happened to it, like internal injuries maybe. Alwyas keep it warm with plenty or water. With a broken wing or leg it can be so hard to fix yourself, since they are so small and fragile that it's really hard to find where the break it.

Better luck next time, at least you tried =)