I was on my lunch break at work and found a pigeon laying on the ground... kinda on it's head... with it's back legs stretched out behind him... kinda thought he had a leg broken... but i put on some gloves and he could move them... so i tried to get him to fly... he ran straight into a wall and fell back on his face... so i took him home and put some water in a dish and put him in a plastic tote with a holey piece of cardboard over him... anyone know what could possibly be wrong ? i found him under a window... kinda thought he ran into it... figured if he did... he just knocked him self stupid and will recover in a couple days... anything i can do for him and any thing specific i can feed him ?
2006-09-24 14:30:30 · 6 answers · asked by Joker_69_zero 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Testing shows that pigeons seem to be fairly resistant to West Nile Virus, but they are pretty susceptible to something called Paramyxovirus I (it's only a problem for pigeons and doves overall so you needn't worry about it.)
However, your description of the bird with its neck down and with its head down is a pretty common symptom of either Paramyxovirus or Paratyphoid (Salmonella) infection of the brain. (It's also just as possible as you believe that he flew into the building and damaged himself -- it's not that uncommon if the bird is being chased by a hawk, etc., and it's fleeing in a panic. of if there is a lot of glass and the bird thinks he's flying into more open space and bumps into solid glass instead.)
Without a lot of specialized care, there may be nothing you can seriously do for the bird.
If the bird is still alive and you wish to try saving it, just try feeding it regular wild bird seed you can get at any supermarket. The stuff is a bit low in protein, but this bird sounds like he couldn't handle larger seed. Water should be provided in a stable container that is at least an inch or so deep. Pigeons drink by suction.
If the bird tries to eat and seems to miss the seed, then chances are almost 100% that it's got PMV or Salmonella.
I've raised pigeons for 45 years and love them, but I suggest that in this case and if after about 24 -48 hours that there is no improvement, that it might be kinder to find someone who can put the bird down for you.
2006-09-24 15:07:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
oh all the time growing up. the church my mom made us go to had pigeons everywhere, we'd go just to bring some home to eat. a street pigeon tastes the same as any other pigeon. they are just easier to pick and cost allot less. to make enough soup to feed a homeless family of 3 for a week would take 5 pigeons. stew with rain water and vegetables collected from restaurant dumpsters and season with salt packets for free cafeterias. YUM!
2016-03-27 07:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pigeons will eat just about anything, but wild bird food is the best for this little guy. He maght have given himself a concussion when he flew into the window. It's hard to say if he'll get back to normal.
Just try to make him as comfortable as possible and wait and see if he recovers. If he doen't get better in a few days, you might want to take him to an Avian Vet and have him checked out.
Most areas have programs to cover the cost of a vet, especially for wild birds. Your local Humane Soceity can help with that.
The best of luck for this little guy.
2006-09-27 07:09:15 · answer #3 · answered by karmor_22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally pigeon do not lay on the ground so.......If your pigeon hasn't got the famous bird flu , He had a bad accident and has certainly a wound that you cannot see , they have easily a skull fractured and your poor pigeon will probably die in the next day or 2. In all city in the world ,pigeons are chased by rapaces that have them also, adapted to large city .
When chased pigeon in panic have many accident in windows or electric wires and sometime pigeons are careless with cars .
Sorry , I wish I could have better news because I , too, like birds..........
2006-09-24 14:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by J/P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ehh... I had something like that happen before with a bird. Kept him in an open shoe box and fed him, took care of him, everything I could, within three days, I went and checked on him, he had his neck turned 180 degrees and was dead. I don't really think theres too much you can do. Sounds like he is going to die anyway. :(
You can always take him to the vet if you want though..
2006-09-24 14:39:29 · answer #5 · answered by Ashley P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowadays with the west nile virus going around is not a good time to pick up sick (or injured, maybe) birds. They carry the virus, get bit by mosquitoes, and the moswuito bites you and you have it.
Take the bird to a vet.
2006-09-24 14:39:46 · answer #6 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋