Injured White Wing Dove fledgling

[spenn]

I have a fledgling that I think might be injured.
There appears to be something sticking out of the back of his head that looks like a black thorn with some yellowish spot just under it. (outlined in red on pics)

In the beginning I thought it was his molting process knowing how ugly that makes their little heads but this thing still remains. I have had him about 12 days taking him out to practice flying a couple of times a day then in a covered cage outside at night & he was doing better though it has never taken 12 days all seemed to be progressing nicely.

Day before yesterday is the first day he flew long enough that he only came back to check in @ 3:00 & again @ 6:00 but not at nightfall as usual. The next morning he was on my doorstep. His head kept falling back on his wings & couldn't seem to keep his eyes open so I put him back in his cage & covered it hoping he was just exhausted. He is better this morning but doesn't want to leave his cage & I just keep noticing this thing sticking out of his head.
I'm posting some pics hoping someone might know what this is & what needs to be done.

Thanks in advance for any assistance on this!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Does it seem to suffer any discomfort when you touch it?
Is there swelling or inflammation around the area where it is lodged?
If not maybe it is supposed to be there.

I really have no clue is what I am saying.

 

[spenn]

He did show some discomfort when I touched it. since he hasn't been feeling well I've been able to get a closer look at it & take the photos. There appears to be some swelling around it & has that little spot at the base that looks like a little discharge that has dried.
It really looks like he grew a claw out of his head (it's very shiny too)& even though he had gotten better over the last week is still a bit wobbly when standing still but has never fallen down on his side or anything like that.

Thanks so much for your quick response!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I would from what you described be very tempted to remove it. I imagine you were contemplating doing the same thing!

I am thinking another bird may have pecked his head (sometimes happens when squabs are around adult birds).

Then again it may be part of it skull that is protruding up through the feathers.

It is a tough call.

Examine the area carefully sometimes adult pigeon scalp a squab.

Go with your instinct.

The way I look at it you have two options pull it out or put it back.

Sounds like it can not stay where it is.

Super glue or crazy glue sometimes helps in these situations and Polysporn or something similar.

Good luck Fowlseed!

 

[spenn]

I was tempted. I was lightly grabbing it with tweezers just to see if it was easily removed when he pulled away & showed discomfort.
Since it appears very firmly attached I thought it best not to fool with it because I have no way of treating him if & when he starts to bleed.
I am also aware that the local grackles (?) kill fledglings just before they learn to fly; they killed my first 2 sets of mourning doves pecking the heads to the point of decapitation on 2 of them so I thought about that - he looked like he had a couple of peck marks on his head but those are "innies". I never considered skull material. It looks so much like a small claw but pointed the wrong way to have been left in his head.
At this point I have no instinct left besides making him comfortable & keep hoping he'll get better.

Thank you so much for your help & if you think of anything please let me know!