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Fledgling wood pigeon or collar dove. - HELP

Lee220289
14/10/2019 17:56

Hi all, 

Found a fledgling next to a busy dual-carriageway. No trees, undergrowth or bushes in sight. Pouring with rain and freezing cold so rescued it (only kind thing to do in the circumstance). It was not difficult to pick up although it hopped around a little bit. 

Due to being found on Saturday morning, we've been unable to reach any rescue centers and the ones we've managed to get in touch with today, either aren't too interested or are too far away to collect. (Sadly we have no means to travel to one as no car). 

We've followed general advice read online and in this forum, we got it back, warmed it up and it perked up - a lot. It;s been a happy little chappy, drinking and eating (pecking up food for itself) but this afternoon has become very lethargic and tends to just sleep/sit. We've been keeping it warm without trying to cook it but it's not really doing much now. We really don't want it to die, it's a lovely friendly little thing and deserves a chance. It doesn't do much chirping atall either.

Initially it tried to do some flying but wobbles over when it does. It now seems to have given up on that idea and prefers to trot around the house or sit. It doesn't wobble around when walking, only when it tried to fly, it doesn't seem to either have the hang of it yet or we're worried there is something wrong with it. It does not appear to have any injuries. We've bought it some bird feed which has seeds etc, we've tried it on some small bread lumps. 

We live in a mostly built-up area with barely any outside space and lots of neighbouring cats. We don't want to leave it outside as the neighbour cat has been seen several times savaging birds. 

We would really appreciate some help, ie - How long until it can fly, and therefore be released. How much it should eat/drink. Should we be thinking about force-feeding it/forcing fluids into it.

We've read somewhere that some green-looking droppings means it's starving, however they seem to come and go. Please see the pics and any advice would be amazing!

  • 14/10/2019 18:32

    Hi there Lee, I have sent a copy of your post & pic to our resident expert on feral pidgeons & hope he comes on with the right advice soon ... it would help him to know where you are located as there are rescue services out there!

    I would advise that you pop it into a cardboard box lined with a towel with some seed & water available so that it doesn't try to exert itself too much!

  • 14/10/2019 18:35
    Hi Wendy and thank you so much for the response. We live in Stockport, which is just South of Manchester.
  • 14/10/2019 18:39

    Did you try helpwildlife.co.uk ... there is a centre at Lower Moss Wood, about 11 miles from you!

  • 14/10/2019 19:14

    Hi Lee, sorry to hear about the poor little fellow. I can not really offer any more advice, other than what you are doing already. As Wendy says, good advice to keep it in a box, with food and water, to limit its space and not tire it out. Hopefully our pigeon expert will get back to you soon with advice to help you.

    Or you could try here, 30minutes away.

    http://www.gwbh.org.uk/

  • 14/10/2019 19:18
    As Wendy suggested, try the helpwildlife centre. If you want to feed it, you can try soft peas. Cook them until they are soft and then cool them down. Pop them into the back of its mouth (one at a time, a minute or so apart). You'll need to push them to the back of its throat. Warmth and hydration are the two things you must provide first. Can you upload a photo? A vet will invariably euthanize a juvenile pidge, so a rescue centre is where it should go. I'm in Surrey, otherwise I'd come and get it myself.
  • 14/10/2019 19:22
    Sorry, I didn't notice the pics. That's a juvenile Wood Pidge by the looks of it. Greenish poop can mean starvation or any number of other things to be honest. It needs hydrating. The rescue centre is your best bet
  • 14/10/2019 19:33
    Thank you for all the helpful advice. I’ve just got home from work (the missus has had it all day) it seems to have a strong grip with its feet - which is a good sign I hope?
    I’ve inspected it a little and seems very skinny, it’s breast bone feels particularly prominent and doesn’t feel like it has a lot of meat on it - maybe that’s normal for a baby?
    It’s currently sat on a pile of blankets in a box with food and water but we will try the peas shortly.
    I would hazard a guess that it’s not had food for a while and is basically too weak to try and fly.
    We will do what we can to save it and try and bulk it up a bit.
    Any/all advice is very much welcome at this stage!!
  • 14/10/2019 19:34
    Sorry further to my last comment, it’s just done an almighty poop on me and it’s now looking less green and more like yoghurt with pips! I assume this could mean it’s improving?
    Do they like to sleep and rest a lot?
    Thanks
  • 14/10/2019 19:42
    If it has fallen from nest too soon then it doesn't need to be too active whilst it feeds & grows strong ... woodies build very flimsy & precarious nests & could well have given way in all this awful weather! Is bird still drinking?