found a pigeon in a snowbank, it's warmed up now, but still won't fly away!?

Question

It doesn't appear to be injured, it spread it's wings and flapped when I took it to the balcony, but it won't leave the spot I put it!
The wildlife rescue says if it doesn't fly away we should euthenize it.
I can't bring myself to do that, yet I can't leave it out there to freeze, nor can I keep it, with a baby, a 2 yr old and a cat in the apartment!
Any advice would be great, thanks!

Answer 1

Since your wildlife rescue was in a rush to euthanize it I guess you may be in the states where it is illegal to rehab pigeons. From the sounds of it I'd say it hit a window (often the case when there are no apparent injuries), this can cause neurological issues to put it simply, and the bird needs treatment (usually the case if the bird hasn't recovered within an hour). I'd call around and try to find a local pigeon breeder/ homing pigeon society see if they want him. Anyways there's a good reason that pigeons can't be rehabbed, they are an introduced invasive species and aren't good for our native birds, so if it comes down to it bring it to the wildlife rescue, and they'll put it down humanely.

Answer 2

My grandfather (who lived with us) found and rescued a nearly frozen dove one winter; we kept it in an orange crate until spring and then released it. However, I can see that such a solution is not feasible for you (living in an apartment with a two year old and a cat!). I don't know why wildlife rescue would be in such a hurry to euthanize it without attempting rehabilitation, particularly since it doesn't appear to be injured. Perhaps you might keep it on your balcony in a container covered with a blanket for a day or so to allow it to recuperate; I assume that the balcony is outdoors, but if you could keep the bird relatively warm and feed it something like seeds or perhaps hamburger along with hydrating it, it might be able to fly away in the near future. Your compassion for the poor creature should not be wasted, hopefully; you were kind to save it, so undoubtedly, you'd like to see it survive. Good luck...

Answer 3

Give the bird 48 hours to recover totally to figure out if it can fly. I've helped a few different bird breeds out before and it takes time for them to be OK and ready to go again. Provide it a quiet place with water and food in the house to recover. Don't handle or mess with it more than necessary in the next 2 days. It may still be in shock, it was almost dead when you found it.

After 2 days if you try to release it and it won't fly away then start to worry. Being half froze grabbed by well intentioned giants, thrown into a container that is alien, then poked at now and then will mess up any healthy pigeon. :)

Good luck and I hope the bird is fine in a few days. :)

Answer 4

It may in shock...sometimes birds fly into windows and kind of stun themselves. You might try putting it in a box in a warm, dark place to see if it recovers than try and release it again. If it is still not flying, then you may want to take it to the vet or a rehab for euthanization.

Answer 5

Did it fly away as soon as you finished entering your question? If not, try building it a nest or shelter box out on your balcony so it doesn't freeze, and give it time. It will leave when it gets hungry.

Answer 6

Take it to a vet. If the vet thinks the pigeon can't be helped, then he can euthenize it properly.

Answer 7

Would you fly around outside in that weather? Poor little thing is probably just liking your nice warm house. I would leave it outside and it will fly off when it wants to. It should get enough warmth from you house to survive. If it dies at least you tried.

Answer 8

Its probably scared, after being cold and all. If you just keep it in a small cage and keep him overnight he may fly away the next day. If not, bring him to a vet and get him checked out.

Answer 9

bring him to a park with a nice tree that looks like a good nesting area maybe he will leave if he sees whats out there put him somewhere where there is warmth considering he seems like he likes the warmth the pigeon will survive if you just leave him in a nice park

Answer 10

try keeping it just for a little longer, maybe give it some bread. then if ur on the ground, gently toss it in the air, it should fly away then. if not, put a box outthere for it until it does fly away on its own.