Young Collared Dove found

[slimrbp]

I thought I would share htis experience mostly to see if the right actions were taken and if not to act as a cautionary tale to others.

A pair of collared doves have been nesting in our neighbours apple tree. This morning while replenishing the bird feeders I noticed a patch of feathers on the ground as I closed into investigate I found a young collarred dove at the edge of the pond on the 'exit ramp'.

He looked healthy enough although very young but I could see signs of a scuffle and he had probably ended up in the pond at some point as well. Having read the 'what to do with a baby bird' sticky and believing the little fella had sufferred a cat attack (we don't have one but we have visitors) I decided to give it the once over and found some blood under one of the wings. It seemed pretty strong and didn't really like being held, the wings didn't seem to be damaged badly. (While I was doing this a cat jumped onto the back fence but after a few choice words left).

I got a box and put a towel in it to and then lightly covered the bird to keep him calm. My other half suggested a hot water bottle which sounded like a good idea so we filled one with water from the hot tap so it was warm rather than boiling and put it underneath the towel.

Fortunately my other half was working from home today and work wouldn't mind me being a little late.

After ring around to a couple of wildlife rescue contacts who were either not running that day or no longer operating we found a centre in Croydon, the Riverside Animal Centre who suggested we take the bird in.

I had to leave for work, my other half was going to whisk the bird round in a taxi. I just got a call to say the patient has been checked in and we can call in a few days to see how they got on.

I am thinking the worst but you never know.

So hopefully I did the right thing (my other half is sure the parents are giving her accusing looks from the garden). If I did it is only thanks to this forum as previously I wouldn;t have even known where to start. If not I would be grateful of any pointers if something similar should happen again.

[JackBD95]

sounds like you did the right thing.....as long as the wing wasnt too badly damaged. If it is broken he may be spending the rest of his life in captivity which no one wants, but as you said he put up a fight so had the strength in his wing to make a hopefully full recovery!

[faz]

well done

[2dogs2000]

Sounds like you did everything just right. Lucky collared dove.

[slimrbp]

Thanks for the reassurance, we will be ringing the centre in a few days to see how he got on.
As an aside the taxi driver knocked some money off the fare as it was a mission of mercy.

[slimrbp]

Good News!

We have spoken to the Wildlife Centre and he/she is still alive, didn't get much more info than that though but taking it as a good sign