Help - pigeon in garden can’t fly properly

ann910

Registered
Hi
I feed birds in my small garden recently I’ve had 2 main pigeons who come regularly. My door was open a little and I heard flapping about. Then went into the kitchen and the pigeon was there. I opened the door so it could get out thinking it accidentally got in. But he’s in the garden not flying away and I think my be injured. (He did fly out the first time but then didn’t go anywhere ) just walking in the garden. Just now he came in again then left when he saw me. My problem is I had an injured wood pigeon I took to the local animal sanctuary and was really upset by what happened . The man said he would return the bird to me to be released so I dropped it off. The very next day he said no he wouldn’t be able to do that as he had too many. They were put into an aviary and trying to catch one would distress them . Is there an easy way to help this current bird ?
 
If it's with its own kind recuperating and it is after all a wild bird it's better off where it is as they are flock species happier with others, the wild ones get really stressed very easily.
If ill or flight feathers damaged it won't heal in a day.
Pigeons don't have specific territories as such they move around a bit to stop inbreeding.
You have given it the best chance by it being made "safe" from predators.
 
Sorry just re-read your post that was the previous bird.
DOH!
You could catch it and drop it off at the vets for them to have a look. Could be multiple reasons for not flying off from concussion if it hit a window to feather damage to sickness.
Offer food and water see what tomorrow brings then make your decision
 
We have a few wood pigeons that come to our garden and as hard as it is to see one possibly struggling, it's sometimes best to leave it alone, but keep an eye out. If there are places within the garden such as bushes where it can hide, they will usually sort themselves out. Sometimes catching a wild bird causes it more distress, where it may just need a day or so to rest and recover. Leave food and water available as has been suggested. We had one a couple of weeks back that had an injured leg, and could only hop about and lay down on the bird table to eat. I so desperately wanted to take it to the vet, but after about 3 days there was a marked improvement and now it's fine. On the other end of the scale, there was a badly injured gull at work that was hopping about the carpark with a damaged wing. It looked like it may have been hit by a car, so in that case, I caught it and took it to a local vet. If I'm struggling to decide, I just think of all the one legged one toed pigeons in the cities that get on with life, and try to remember that they're tougher than they look! Hope the pigeon in your garden is back up and about soon!
 
It’s still on the fence in the hot sun . I’ve put water up on the fence but the water wasn’t touched. There are some kind of road work close by and now when it sees me it looks worried. Not sure how I’ll be able to catch it . No shade where it is at all
 
Neighbour arrived in their car. It made it onto my roof and is there . Just worried about the heat and water
 
Well you are doing what you can so fingers crossed it will survive. Always a worry though.
 
If it's not there now, it's probably gone on its merry way. They will sit out in the sun, our chickens lie sunbathing for ages and them go for a drink. There's going to be water somewhere for it. From another bird table in the area or from what it eats. It sounds like it's just getting on with things now, so not much point worrying, and I would say not to try and catch it again.
 
Hello again. I was unsuccessful with the previous pigeon. It didn’t look like it could fly the next day. But it crossed the road and although I looked and asked a neighbour to check their garden I didn’t find it :(.
I have another question. This pigeon (a regular) has a ring on its foot so must have escaped from an owner . Looking very puffed out at the front and spending a lot of time just sitting in the garden. Still flies to the roof. It’s a lot heavier (maybe I’ve left too much food) but the puffed out front is a worry
 

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You should probably study it a while to decide if he's injured, or Ill, if you really think he belongs to someone then try trapping him with a real trap using a box, stick, string and food, tie the string to the stick so once the pigeon enters you pull the string attached to the stick, good luck!
 
Hi . In the past she/he has belonged to someone but has been free and flying with other pigeons for at least 2 years . She (I think) has offspring . There are now at least 3 light brown wild young pigeons 😀. Thanks for the advice. She has flown off just now so I will try to keep observing .
 
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