Injured Pigeon

[getwozzy]

Yesterday we saw a pigeon walking along the road and it didn't fly away, just scuttled along the ground off into the orchards next to our house. Well today he's managed to make it all the way into our property and I just happened to walk outside as one (of three) cats was stalking it. I grabbed the cat and put him inside, but the pigeon didn't make any attempts to fly away and scuttled off into the ginormous kiwi bush. So, I'm assuming he has a wing injury of some sort. There's 3 cats on our property, 1 large dog who likes to eat things (squirrels, raccoons, etc) who has free range of the property plus 2 more large dogs in a dog yard (who also eat things), not to mention coyotes run rampant at night. So, what should I do? Attempt to catch it? Leave it be and let nature run its course? I don't really want to touch it and bring some disease in to Jackie...

 

[crimson]

that a tough one....you want to help but at what risk to you other birds

can you catch it and leave it in a garage or shed and contact a wildlife centre....of course looking after it until you find help?

 

[Betrisher]

Be careful! Feral pigeons are usually foul with lice and a domestic pigeon that's been living rough would probably be just as foul. Rescue the poor bird, by all means, but wear gloves and don't hold it next to your body. Put it in a box and take it to a rescue organisation.

I once rescued a baby pigeon from under the local railway bridge. It had fallen from its nest and the parents were nowhere to be seen. Without thinking, I just picked it up and we took it to the nearby wild animal vet. By the time we got there (less than five minutes), I was *crawling* with birdlice and itching fit to bust! We had to fumigate the car afterwards just to be sure.

 

[MikeyTN]

Not just bird mites you have to worry about, pigeons are well known to carry psittacosis as there was a recent incidence here in Nashville of a pigeon that someone rescued that carries psittacosis. That is transferrable to humans! IF you were to rescue it, be sure to keep it in a separate building period and make sure you disinfect your hands and a change of clothing....

 

[antoinette]

I too would like to save every pigeon I see injured.
My first priority is of course Mishka, thus not assisting them.
As members have mentioned in above posts the risk is way to high.

 

[getwozzy]

Ew. Ew. Ew. As everyone's said there's too much risk and disease for me to rescue him both my hubby and MIL said it looked like he has an injury of some sort to the back of his head... I don't know where he's gone, but I don't have anywhere to put him without risking infecting some other animal.

*sigh* can't save em all I guess..

 

[JerseyWendy]

And please don't feel guilty. I know deep down you wished you could have done something...anything, but unless you had a box with you AND a place to take him other than home, I'm honestly relieved to hear he is nowhere to be found.

Sometimes we have to let nature run its course - even if that sounds harsh. Nature CAN be harsh and brutal.

 

[SandyBee]

Call a wildlife organization, they will advise you.
Otherwise just let nature run its course.Risks are too high for you to do anything else

 

[getwozzy]

Should I worry about it spreading disease or mites to one of the cats or dogs if they catch him? I know that sounds horrible, but it's a concern of mine.

 

[getwozzy]

I just saw mr pigeon roaming in the driveway/behind my truck, he kind of did a hop and flapped his wings so I think his wings are fine but maybe his head injury is keeping him from flying. The dog was also standing right there and didn't really seem to care, she didn't seem interested in going after him- which sort of explains why he's made it this long on our property.