Saved a baby pigeon - What do I do now?

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   klarawieckposted 13 years ago

   The cat wasn't happy when I took the bird from his mouth. The baby pigeon must have fallen from the nest but I couldn't find it anywhere and the neighborhood is full of cats... not the safest place.
   I'm trying to save this little sucker but I have no clue what to do. I already emailed a wildbird rehab place and now I must wait... maybe they'll call.
   Any of you have done this before? Any suggestions?

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      IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I would email this hubber - http://aviannovice.hubpages.com/ she knows about how to deal with wild birds, I think.

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         klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Izzy. Will do!

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Haven't worked with pigeons, but have volunteered in wildlife rehab. You did the right thing to call the wildlife rehab center. They should have given you instructions for care until they can get the bird. They require warmth and lots of feeding - all birds have special diets and they could tell you what to feed/not to feed.

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   Dame Scribeposted 13 years ago

   I once found a baby Blue Jay it was recommended I use a eye dropper to feed pablum to the bird he did well for a few weeks but passed away due to a cold night they need to be kept warm.

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   klarawieckposted 13 years ago

   I know they are almost impossible to take care of. It requires experience to save a baby bird's life. I killed a duckling once while trying to save him. The mother wasn't around and I didn't know what I was doing.
   I'm trying to contact the wild bird rescue but because it's a weekend I don't know if they'll have anyone there to welcome the bird. This really stinks!

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      mio cidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      try to give him bread soaked in lukewarm milk, when he gets hungry and starts opening his mouth big and looking up.

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         klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         My mother in law suggested the same thing, but I don't know... I'm afraid I'll kill it with love! I'm heading to the wildbird rescue tomorrow morning, and let the pros handle the little furry thing.

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            mio cidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            that sounds like a plan in the mean time just put it near a light bulb

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               klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               That's a really good idea. Thanks!

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         mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Never feed birds milk. They can't digest it properly, avoid this at all costs.

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   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   Isn't "squab" considered a delicacy, Klara? 
   
   
                                          

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      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Shoo, snake! Shooo!

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         Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         For the last time, "Shoo" is what you say to flies and chickens, Klara!  You're supposed to say "EEEEK" to we members of the reptilian persuasion.  Sigh!  City slickers! 
         
                                          

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            klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I speak Spanish, Randy!
            
            Baby pigeon made it through the night and is now in the care of professionals at the South Florida Wildlife Rescue hospital.
            
            The lightbulb was a great idea. It kept him warm throughout the night, and it kept my husband awake fearing that the whole apartment building would burn to the ground.

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               jennzieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Good to hear he lived through the night!

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               Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Okay, Klara.  By the way, what does "Shoo" mean in Spanish? 
               
               I'm sure the statues and windshields of Southern Florida will thank you!  Tell your husband I understand too! 
               
                                                      

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                  klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  @Randy - I have no idea what Shoo means in Spanish...
                  
                  @jennzie - Thank you. I need to stop rescuing animals. I once got rabies while trying to rescue a stray cat from the middle of the road. According to my mother, I gave the cat rabies.

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   Bianuposted 13 years ago

   Some people eat pigeon.I don't think it is an endangered specie.

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      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Why would anyone eat wild pigeon?

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         Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I don't eat pigeon, but would if I had nothing else.  Besides, have you ever actually observed how chickens are raised now?  You would perhaps never eat another one--or eat eggs for that matter--if you saw how they were produced.
         
         I do love me some mourning dove breasts wrapped in bacon, dipped in Italian dressing, and cooked on a grill, though!  We usually kill over 500 on the opening day of dove season here in southeastern Georgia. 
         
         I imagine pigeon tastes quite similar.  Now we have an infusion of a new bird we call a ring neck dove, but really I believe it is a recent Asian immigrant which is now competing with the local mourning and turtle dove species.
         
         I think they taste similar to spotted owl or whooping crane, but whatever! 
         
                                              

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            klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I eat organic chicken and eggs. I like'em roaming free!
            
            But I do have to confess one thing... I love eating reptiles! There's this little place in the Miccosukee reservation... they make the best alligator nuggets!
            
               Yummmm...

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               mio cidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Does alligator really taste like chicken? ,because whenever somebody mentions some weird animal they ate they always say it tastes like chicken

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                  klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  No, it tastes like alligator... but hey, I heard that The Road Kill Grill is famous for its Shake'n Bake Snake. It's TO DIE for!
                  
                  
                  

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               Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Then you do know the difference between commercially grown chickens and yard birds, Klara!  You just went up a notch in my estimation (big whoop, I know) and I do admire you for taking care of the squab, despite my joking about it.
               
               And heck yeah on the alligator.  A well prepared and expertly cooked alligator tail is very delicious. 
               
                                              

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                  klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Thank you, thank you... I didn't know I needed to go up in estimation Was it the "shoo" that had me hanging low?

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                     Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     No, it sorta looked like you had a booger on your avatar photo, but I don't think it is now. 
                     
                     
                                                                    

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                        klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Well, you could have said something about the booger! You could have passed me a tissue! Is that why no one ever reads my hubs?!

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                           Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           I didn't know what to do!  These days it could merely be a fashion statement of some sort, like a big hair bow or sporting purple hair.  You know, an attention getter!
                           
                           
                           
                                                                      

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                              klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Well, I do have a very big nose so I can understand these things happening... I'll forgive you, this time around!

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                                 Randy Godwinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                                 As they say south of the border, Moowey Bean Senor eater! 
                                 
                                 
                                                                      

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                                    klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                                    

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               mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               oh hell, why I am always so late?   now I am freeked out thinking of that poor little guy at the rescue hospital where they may not have the right kind of worms.  You know, EARTH worms?   Did you give it name, by the way?  EARTHY would be a good one! 
               
               also, you could have brought it to the HubPages Recovery Center where there are often plenty of us Hubbers who have also fallen from various places, nests and such and having nothing else to do, would have been too happy to chew worms! 

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                  klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  It's a she, and I signed her up at the hospital as Mega1. Hope you don't mind.

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                     mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     way!  I love to have pigeons names after me, it seems all so very appropriate, you know?  Anyhow, if it happens again, I'd be glad to adopt a baby pigeon and will help you start a foundation for it!

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                        klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Klaromega Pigeon Foundation - it does have certain ring to it, you know?

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                           mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Yes, and when we've taught it everything we know and it is adult enough we could find it a mate, and they could nest right on your desk and you could have grand-pigeons there and then -- the one wee birdy strayed from its nesty would become a PIGEON DYNASTY of the westy!  and we could have a, uh, TV show
                           and
                           
                           
                           and
                           
                           
                           that's all I've got for now.

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                              klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Old Saymerz hitting hard, Meg? Love the idea though...

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                  mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Pigeons are not 'worm eaters', not all birds eat worms! Seeds are better for pigeons, and then only the right ones, (we went through this with a lost homing pigeon that turned up on our doorstep, end result was that it was worth over £400. It wouldn't eat anything offered until a local expert showed it seed, then it went mad for it).

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                     klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     I didn't know that, but I'll keep it in mind for next time. How long until the eggs hatch? Anyone knows? I've got two in my balcony right now.

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                        mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        About 18 days klarawieck. I hope this helps

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                           klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Thank you misty. I got rid of the nest she had been making, but came back the following day to find the two eggs. She's not moving, but I'm thinking about making a nest for her and place her eggs in it, because that part of the balcony gets flooded when it rains and the eggs are going to spoil.

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                              mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Good luck, I think you are doing a great job of looking out for her best interests

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                              mio cidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Be careful for "piojillo" i don't know what they are called in english but ask your mother in law I'm sure she knows, I had birds make a nest in my window once and one day  a hundred million little insects were coming from the nest into the house, needless to say that was the last time i let any birds anywhere near my house.

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                                 klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                                 Oh nooooo! No piojillo!

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   Mrs. Menagerieposted 13 years ago

   Hey there...it looks like you got the little guy to a rehabber which was key.  I hope you mentioned the cat because any bird that has been it the mouth of a cat, has about 72 hours to live if they don't get an antibiotic such as baytril (available without a prescription, btw.)
   
   http://www.allbirdproducts.com/newprodu … ytril.html
   
   Even if they appear to be without a single scratch, the bacteria from the cat or even a dog will kill them.
   Just fyi, I am a licensed wild bird rehabber and can help if ever you have such an delemma again.  Feel free to contact me anytime.
   Pigeons are not protected under migratory bird laws and therefore can be kept by anyone...no license necessary.  Most pet stores carry LaFabers baby bird food, which comes with great information as to how to feed the little peeps.  So there you go...and the warmth thing IS key!  Perhaps I will write a baby bird hub to add to my injured bird hub as it is that time of year.
   Good job!

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      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! They had me fill out a form explaining how I came to find the bird, and I also gave them a vivid picture of how it was... It looked like a cartoon with Sylvester trying to eat Tweety and my dog trying to chase the cat. Thanks for offering. I'm sure I'll need help again.

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   rsyndposted 13 years ago

   Eat it.

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   mega1posted 13 years ago

   keep it warm under a light bulb in your hand and carefully chew up a worm or so - you can then administer the baby pigeon chewed worm food with a bit of warm water via eye dropper.
   
   OR
   
   you can just be like others around the forums who feel that pigeons are the bird
   "rats" of the world and let the cat have it!
   
   there are always choices.  choices.  choices. . .

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      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Megan, the bird is already at the wildbird rescue hospital. So, fifty-eight seconds ago!

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         Druid Dudeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Happy ending!

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            klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, I will call tomorrow to check on him/her.

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   SandyMcCollumposted 13 years ago

   When Dad died we were up unusually late, and I saw my cat carrying something that was still moving and crying. I ran out and made him drop it, and it was a baby squirrel that didn't even have hair or it's eyes open, and a few hairs on the tail were growing. I didn't know what to do, so I took it to the all night vet and they said it's a wild animal and they can't legally take it. She told me to put it in a box and it's mother will come and get it. Someone else told us to bottle feed it kitten formula, and we would have done that, except with such a recent death I couldn't commit to giving it the time it would need to be mothered. So I called another all nigh vet hospital, and there just happened to be a squirrel whisperer, so to speak, and she told me it would be legal for her to take it if it were a native species of wildlife, cause if it wasn't a native species, then it would be illegal again... So she said to bring it in, but just agree with her when she tells us what kind it is, even if we know it's a different species. So we took it to her and she told us it was a Fox Squirrel and I think it's the truth, and she promised to raise and rehabilitate it and release it back into the wild.
   
   I was relieved I found help for the little baby and it didn't cost me a thing, but gas to the vet. But, I kinda kicked myself, too. I've always wanted a pet squirrel. (((sigh))))

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      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I saw a stand off between two squirrels and a mama hawk. They both were building their nests in the same tree and were viciously going after each other. True story... the squirrels won!

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         SandyMcCollumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, they can be vicious fighters. I can see why they wouldn't want their nest near a hawk's nest.

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    paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

    Paradigmsearch has not posted one single barbecue pic on this thread. Amazing!!!

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       klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       what's wrong wichuuuu... you sounding like me talking in third person!

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          paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Yep, paradigmsearch does that now and again. Soon, paradigmsearch will be talking about paradigmsearch in the fourth person. Just as soon as one figures out how to do that...

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             klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Fourth person's pretty simple. They call it the "multiple personality POV" where you start talking in first person, then move to second, then third, and finally plurals... until the reader can't figure out who he/she is anymore. I do this often whenever I volunteer at the hospital's psychiatric unit.

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                lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Hey klara, I'll bet the patients adore it when you volunteer.

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                   klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I love working with psychiatric patients, but for some reason I can't understand they insist in making me wear a straightjacket. I'm telling you... mental patients have such great sense of humor!

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                      lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Yes, we do, klara.  Hehehehehehehehe.  J/K, you know.
                      Though I used to be a psychiatric pt. 
                      For around 72 hrs. On a hold.
                      
                      T'was not pleasant.
                      Laurel
                      
                      PS: Seriously, I am glad there are staff such as you that are caring individuals.
                          They make a huge difference.
                          L

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       lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You pigeon sh*t, you!

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          klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          

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    klarawieckposted 13 years ago

    Sad news - I called the hospital and I was informed that baby bird had an artery disease that slowly starves him to death, and he also had an eye that was messed up. So they had to put him to sleep. The cat will never forgive me now!

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       mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       psyche~ 

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          klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Stop laughing at my failures, Megan!

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             mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

             then, I shall cry with you, over the tiny beast who could have grown to fly and walk even - another two-legged one bit the dust 

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                klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                But I promise, oh dear friend, that the next pigeon to be born in my balcony will be named after you... Mega The Great!

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                   mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I fervently hope that she does not put all her eggs in the same nest, per se.  And, further that any offspring may be happy hoofers and not get kicked out of the nest so early, just becuz they have a "disability" or two!

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                      klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      A black eye and an artery disease does not count as disability. But no worries... I will keep the Megapigeon comfortable ad toasty if the mother kicks her out of the nest for being a bit wierd.

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                         mega1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         I am anxiously awaiting the next "born again" pigeon.
                         
                         yours, sincerely,
                         Mega1

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    Marcy Goodfleischposted 13 years ago

    Poor little tyke - you are a compassionate soul to have given it a try.  At least you know everything was done that could be done.  My son found an injured baby bird a few years ago, and brought it inside to help it recover (and as a cat-prevention step). The bird had feathers and could barely fly, but was still a baby.
    
    My son has a true and gentle gift with animals, and he fed the little guy bugs and I think he got meal worms or something (it's been a while).  Anyway, the mother bird kept hanging around our deck watching for her baby.  When the baby was healed, he  took it outside and kept an eye on it.  Soon, the mama came near the deck and sat on a tree branch and sang to the baby, and it flew off into the tree with her! We couldn't believe the baby survived, and that the mama kept watching for it.

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       klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       That's great Marcy! I'm glad there are some happy endings to these incidents. This was my third attempt at trying to save a bird and they all end up in death. Maybe I should stay away... but somehow they follow me! I have a pigeon that just laid an egg in my balcony for the second time... even after I removed the nest. Now I feel terrible, and I must improvise some kind of nest for it. I will post pictures... maybe write a hub.

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          Marcy Goodfleischposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Klara - I firmly believe animals can tell when they're in safe territory. I'm betting they sense your innate compassion, and part of their survival is the instinct to find those havens. 
          
          Years ago, we were complete vegetarians. During that time, a hummingbird built its tiny nest on a bamboo wind chime that hung in the entryway where my two kids came screaming and running in and out all day long. She sat on the nest (which would careen back and forth with all the action) and hatched one of her two eggs - the other one broke somehow.  One day I happened to watch the baby make its first flight!  I was convinced the mama sensed we didn't harm animals (except maybe from the kids terrorizing them). 
          
          Yes - you should write a hub!!

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             klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Marcy, my concern is that I live on the sixth floor of a building that is overlooking the river and it's three blocks from the beach. My balcony is very windy and not safe for a bird that is learning how to fly. I don't know what to tell you... This is the second time this pigeon comes to lay an egg. The first time around the egg went MIA and she stayed on the nest for weeks without an egg. I finally got rid of it so she would get the idea and leave. Now she's back and the father is constantly watching with a frown! Well... maybe not a frown, but you catch my drift...

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             lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Wow, Marcy.  What a hummingbird tale.  That mother bird was comfortable despite the kids, and for you to see the first flight of the baby is amazing-what I'd give....!
             Lovely memory for you, may I share it?

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