Bad feathers on wood Pigeon

ctaylorhill · #1 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 03:12 PM

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on a wood pigeon that my mum rescued.

She found it quite young, brought it home, put it in a box with some water and seed until it was stronger.

I don't know if there is something wrong with it or what, but half of its tail feathers are missing and his wings are looking pretty shabby too.

Is there something I can give it to help or is it just a matter of waiting til they grow back?

I would assume that he's about 6 months old.

Thanks for any help and advice,
Cassie

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 03:47 PM

Hi Cassie and welcome.
I would not worry unduly yet woodies can shed tail feathers and primary's when they are distressed. they should grow back. how long have you had it it. can it fly? If it is fit enough and can fly let it go.

valleyforge · #3 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 03:55 PM

Hi and welcome to the WAB forum.

The bird really needs to be kept in care until it next moults into new plumage, but its current state may be due to the conditions it has been kept in, and the food it has been supplied.

To keep their feathers in good condition, birds need to be able to bathe (or at least shower) on a very regular basis ... cages need to be big enough for them to flap their wings without snagging on bars, etc. and food needs to contain an adequate supply of nutrients.

As it may be some months from gaining new plumage to replace that which has become damaged or soiled, then it would probably be best if you contact a wildlife rescue centre in your area, who might be prepared to help you (and the bird).

Let us know which part of the country you are in and we can supply some possible contact details ... or there is a list of some rescue groups on this website at : http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/maps/rescue-centres (zoom in on the map for your region).

ctaylorhill · #4 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the help,

Yeah he can fly around now fine and has been for a month or so but due to the state of his feathers I didn't think it would be wise to let him/her go.

I always make sure that he has a constant supply of seed and water, is there anything else that I could get for him/her?

I am a little worried though as he/she is very attracted to me and will follow me, and wondering if he would get used to it and then wouldn't survive in the outdoors? I mean I've read somewhere that they are quite tame?

valleyforge · #5 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 05:18 PM

Cassie,

It is not really possible to answer you in the detail you probably need, without an examination of the bird.

Please try to find an experienced wildlife rehabilitator in your area that may be prepared to look over the bird for you ... if you are prepared to continue looking after the bird yourself, that is probably fine, but you do need to get some good hands-on advice.

If the bird has feather-lice (not harmful to you, but they do destroy the structure of feathers), they will perhaps be able to suggest treatment.

If the pigeon is malnourished, they will hopefully be able to suggest a better diet.

Note that, not only would it be unwise to release (particularly at this time of year) a wild bird that is somewhat compromised by not being fully feathered, it may be unlawful to do so under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Pigeons, including woodpigeons, can become readily domesticated, so when the time comes, choosing an appropriate release site will need some careful thought. It wouldn't be wise, for instance, to release a bird that has become desensitized to humans in a wholly rural setting, where woodpigeons are often shot at ... it may in fact be better for this bird to be released within a large urban/suburban park ... but it will need a fair bit of research to find somewhere as safe as possible for it.

In the meantime, consider if where you are keeping the bird the air is too dry? If so, try spraying the bird daily with a fine mist water spray ... such as those used for indoor pot plants ... if the water doesn't form tight droplets on the feathers, then they are not yet properly proofed. You would need to repeat that daily until regular preening by the bird replaces the natural oils that have become lost from the feathers.

Supplement the diet with dehusked sunflower seeds, linseed and hemp seed ... you can get a proprietary pigeon food from the pet store ... a 'squeaker mix' is a good stable diet to feed a woodpigeon. Provide clean water everyday and occasional greenstuff ... a lettuce leaf, the tops of carrots, cress/bean sprouts, etc.

Jonathan · #6 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctaylorhill

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on a wood pigeon that my mum rescued.

She found it quite young, brought it home, put it in a box with some water and seed until it was stronger.

I don't know if there is something wrong with it or what, but half of its tail feathers are missing and his wings are looking pretty shabby too.

Is there something I can give it to help or is it just a matter of waiting til they grow back?

I would assume that he's about 6 months old.

Thanks for any help and advice,
Cassie

Hi Cassie,

If a bird is starved (or the bird is severely shocked) when it's feathers are growing it can develop 'fret marks'. These are weak points in the feathers and the shaft is liable to break - it sounds like your bird may have suffered from this problem. Most bird's wing feathers are tremendously resiliant, their tail feathers often less so, but both will readily break where fret marks occur. It is possible to 'imp' new feathers onto the old shaft, but it's not something I'd recommend to someone who's not seen it done. Besides, it sounds like your bird has too many broken feathers for this to be practical. Your best bet is to follow VF's advice and allow the bird to moult out in a suitable cage.

It might be worthwhile coming back on this forum when you're ready to release the pigeon as it sounds like the bird is 'imprinted' on to you, and this may cause a few problems.

Good luck!
Jonathan

Beekeeper · #7 (**permalink**) 19-11-2009, 09:13 PM

If anyone has ever seen a very juvenile woodpigeon chick it is so ugly, no mother bird could ever love it.

Ian

ctaylorhill · #8 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan

It might be worthwhile coming back on this forum when you're ready to release the pigeon as it sounds like the bird is 'imprinted' on to you, and this may cause a few problems.

To be honest, it's follows me everywhere, and when he's flying he'll sit next to me and let off little chirps. I just don't know what to do with him now, it's as if he is too friendly/tame. I haven't done anything to encourage him, just made sure he had seed and water.

wizzo · #9 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 07:58 AM

Hi Taylor and welcome to WAB!
Sounds like you've done a great job so far mate, but it may be time to break the bond, let go and allow the experts to take over. I'm sure the bird will be gratefull for your help, in it's own way. Well done! - Wizzo

posie · #10 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 12:17 PM

Unless you want a pigeon shadowing you for the rest of it's life, you are gonna have to consider what VF and Wizzo have said. It would be kinder to put him/her into the care of a wildlife Rescue Centre now, and break the developing bond with you, than to leave it till later and then break the bond when it has become so much stronger that it will be 'painful' for the bird,(and you).Let us know the outcome. Posie..