Found a pigeon -- how to help it

[CCsGarden]

@CCsGarden maybe you could help? Don't know if you do pigeons as well as doves ?

yes, I'll get back to them in a little while if thats fine.

 

[AntiqueB]

His neck is more obvious here, but again, no redness or scar. Just a horizontal subcutaneous lump.

 

[AntiqueB]

He fluttered from the dresser to the ladder.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It’s interesting you bring up avian influenza since the cases that they just revealed in California were from poultry house workers, not people helping injured wildlife. It’s a shame BYC doesn’t yet have a medal for leaving a judgmental comment that contributes nothing

It was not my intention to be judgmental. I had heard on the news that a man died of AI after handling a dead bird. I was concerned about y'all's safety.

 

[Gill-b]

It has no band, so it's wild

I am just curious to know... is it a regulation in the United States for pigeon fanciers to place bands on all their pigeons?

This bird looks so sweet. Perhaps he is just suffering from exhaustion?... having somehow lost his bearings and been flying for too long. I have had one or two (or three) pigeons show up being just as you have described this pigeon to be, and all they needed was some time to rest, replenish their energy levels with food and water, and off they went on their way again. Does he seem more perky since having access to a supply of food and water?

 

[AntiqueB]

In my admittedly hurried pigeon research, pigeons that will race need bands. Others don't.

He does seem perkier with good food and water, but he still doesn't try to fly away when someone picks him up, although he does try to peck. I don't know if it's an injury, or a consequence of being in a smallish room.

 

[Gill-b]

I just had a thought...

As an indicator of a bird's condition, I would like to know what the pigeon's poop is like? Does it look normal? Or perhaps watery? Or perhaps very dark brown in colour?

I had this thought now while doing my daily clean out of my dove's indoor pen. Her poop is normal.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Isn't he/she cute!

I'd check for lice or mites. When I found mine, she had some feather lice. I treated her with Permethrin dust.

I don't think all Pigeons have to be banded, mine was banded and she was also registered, that's how I tracked down her previous owner. He did not want her back, so I kept her.

Your fella/gal may just be exhausted and needs some TLC, could have flown into something and gotten injured... Hard to know. Mine was cold, exhausted, hungry, dehydrated and worn from being in the elements, not to mention 100+miles from home. We had just been through a polar vortex too. After a couple of days of being warmed, eating/drinking and a good dusting for the lice, she really perked up. Poop became quite normal. I did look inside her beak for Canker just to be sure and monitored her while I got a place ready for her. Mine is doing great almost a year later, so...just go slow and see how it goes.

 

[cavemanrich]

I am just curious to know... is it a regulation in the United States for pigeon fanciers to place bands on all their pigeons?

No. But fanciers do opt to band their pigeons for their own information. Especially year/age

Your fella/gal may just be exhausted and needs some TLC, could have flown into something and gotten injured... Hard to know. Mine was cold, exhausted, hungry, dehydrated and worn from being in the elements.

That is exactly how I feel. The neck issue can be from a crash into whatever. Or escaping from a raptor.
I would keep him until you nurse him back to health. You will know when he is ready/able to leave.

Or just keep as a house pet. Have a medium size bird cage with one side always open. Pigeon will settle into cage to sleep, (on a perch stick) and that is where you would keep seeds, and water. Then fly out onto a door top, and just chill for you. Newspapers under door would catch the gumdrops for EZ cleaning.
Maybe initially only choose a chair top.
If no cage available, a large box on side with front open will work as well.

 

[AntiqueB]

He had to be moved due to construction. He has a window, properly broken up with tape, and about a 15' flight path, along with a box for sleeping. But he hasn't moved from a chair all day.

For those who wanted poop pictures:

And a big thank you to all who took the time to answer. I hope he's ok. My friend plans to release him when he's more chipper. Personally, I'd love a pigeon, but it would mean a very loud discussion with hubs.