Wood Pigeon Chick

[BLUNDES]

Morning!

I need some help, this morning my dog was barking at something he found in the garden, upon inspection, I found a chick, a rather large chick, nestled on the floor looking very bewildered. From surfing the web I believe this to be a wood pigeon chick. I have removed it and put it into a box and left it under the tree, what should I do if the parents do not return, it doesn't appear to be able to stand although it looks nice and plump. With my lack of knowledge I have placed some worms in the box, but have since discovered that they are fed milk from their parents, should I just leave it where it is and let nature take its course as I am afraid Cats or Foxes will fancy it for lunch

[valleyforge]

Hi Blundes and welcome to the WaB forum.

You are correct that wood pigeon squabs are fed a thick liquid 'milk' regurgitated from the crops of the parent birds, so worms are no good to it I'm afraid.

Would it be possible for you to upload a photo of the bird for positive identification, and to allow us to make a proper estimation of its age? If not, then if you can give as detailed a description as possible, it would be useful to allow us to support you fully.

Two things to be immediately aware of though:

1) The squabs own parents are the best equipped to raise it. If it doesn't look capable of flying yet, then presumably it has fallen from its nest. Is it possible for you to get it up high again, perhaps in a box/basket strapped to a tree/building where it would be safe(r) from predators, and where the parents might find it to continue feeding?

2) If the bird is indeed a wood pigeon, it requires particular handling, as these are very prone to stress. If while handling it begins to gasp or struggle for breath, it MUST be put down immediately with its head covered (with a soft cloth/towel/handkerchief etc), otherwise it is likely to expire within seconds!
Handling must always be gentle but firm ... ensure no loud noises, quick movements, and definitely keep it well away from children & pets.

If you can't do point 1) then keep the bird indoors in a dark but well ventilated box (e.g. make airholes with a pencil in a shoebox, etc) and try to contact your nearest wildlife rescue centre that is prepared to handrear a pigeon. A map of some rescue centres can be found on this website at: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/maps/rescue-centres, otherwise let us know where you are so we might be able to make suitable suggestions.

Trying to handrear a wood pigeon requires specialist experience, so it's best you don't consider doing that, unless there is absolutely no other option available.

[BLUNDES]

Thank you for the advice. I will attempt point 1 of your suggestion and will keep you posted.

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by BLUNDES

Thank you for the advice. I will attempt point 1 of your suggestion and will keep you posted.

Thank you ... good luck.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you need further support.

[hkwc]

Hello, sorry if this is a frequently asked question:
Tonight I arrived home to find a baby (yellow fluffed, short tailed, small winged) pigeon-I think probably a wood pigeon (?) sitting in the dry food bowl belonging to my cats in my kitchen. My man and the cats (x4) somehow,thankfully, had not noticed it was there.

I immediately took it outside again in the bowl but it started to eat some Hills Science Diet (small pellets) cat food, from where I removed it into a cardboard box (which it can get out of & has towel roll to insulate it).

My queries are: 1) I'm concerned the cat food will swell inside the bird and harm it-which happens when cats drink water---is this likely?
2) At it's age can it survive on it's own--shall I wait for the parents to come down to feed it?
3) I live in Bedford so should it be rehomed via the Bedfordshire wildlife group?
We don't have a garden, only an outside terrace and there are building works next door at present. There are always (normal) pigeons resident on the roof but they are quite territorial. I want to do the best for it, but am a bit confused by conflicting advice about feeding, water, etc...

Thanks,
hkwc

[RKB]

hkwc, if it is eating by itself then it's quite old, and is a fledgling (i.e. has left the nest naturally, not fallen out). But it will still be dependent on its parents for a few weeks, and so you need to get it back to them, not take it away from them for 'rehoming' (it already has a home!).

Don't worry about the pellets, if it was a bad idea then it would have ended badly by now.

Very first thing in the morning (and I mean dawn, 5 am), you need to put it back where it belongs. Find a safe place very close by (your garden or a next door neighbours), where there is a tall thick bush or tree, and place the chick as high as possible off the ground. If it can fly a bit (sounds like it probably can) then you can give it a very gentle under-arm lob to get it higher into the bush/tree. Hawthorn, ivy or a conifer is ideal.

It is essential that you do this very early - I know 5 am is a pain but you can take 5 mins to release it and then go back to bed.

I'd also suggest that you keep your cats in tomorrow, to give it half a chance to move away.

That's the very best you can do. The very worst is to take it out of the wild and 'rehome' it at this stage, away from its parents and natural life.

[hkwc]

Hi, thank you very much for the information. Yes I've kept the cats in and this morning it was alive (so no ill effects of the Science Diet!) and quite bright.

I haven't seen any parents around yet, but there are no trees/bushes at all in our back terraced area unfortunately. I thought it had come from the roof so I can try to put it on the roof out of the skylight and hopefully they can find him/her.

Many thanks.

[ElwoodsGirl]

I have raised a few pigeons / doves which have fallen from nests ... I found syringe feeding with a porridge, milk, water and bird seed mixture has been effective ... Although you need to make sure you put the syringe in far enough so they do not choke ...... Its hard work but worth it when they fly for the first time !!

[garden rescuer]

Hi,
Just read your message and wondered if there was anyone who may be able to help me?

I think the wood-pigeon rescued from a Crow attack on Sunday maybe a nestling as it is not feeding by itself yet. it has sustained some injuries, and it was rescued reluctantly because of the attention the crows were giving it.
Have kept it indoors in a quiet box but has resisted all attempts at feeding (after 12 hour rest).
It is becoming weaker as time goes on and I'm wondering what I should do next. Is there any hope?

Can anyone recommend where to find substitute crop milk perhaps as I am trying to feed a little hard-boiled egg yolk mixed with soya milk.

Thank you for listening.

[Za]

Hi garden rescuer, welcome to WAB, I cant really help with your pigeon, but if you look at this thread it might help, there are also lists of local rescue centres there who might be able to advise.
If you find a BABY BIRD

All the best,
Za