Dove rescued from chimney

[Celia]

Hello - my first time on this forum so sincere apologies if I don't know the etiquette yet! But I wanted to post this ASAP as any advice would be really appreciated fast... Have (in the last hour!) just managed to rescue a collared dove from inside the chimney, it had been up there for about 4 or 5 days... it is very weak - showed no inclination to fly or struggle - but appears unharmed. I'm keeping it warm in a covered box (with big air gaps/spyholes!) and put in some sunflower seed, oats, niger and a bowl of water. I realise it may not survive having been starved for so long but if I can help it I will try my best. Can anyone offer advice or experience? Thank you so much...

[Littlesparrow]

There is a site on the Internet called 'Pigeon and dove rescue', it has some useful information on it. Be careful if you take the little fella to the vets tomorrow, make sure they don't automatically put doves down, some vets do.

[Celia]

Many thanks for that! I am also happy to report that I was able to release a fairly perky-looking dove this morning. So glad it's a warm sunny day here. I kept it warm all night and this morning it was much more active and ate some seed. (I did as someone suggested on here and put a light sheet over the top of the box this morning to let the light in - it made a big difference). Then as it got more active I took the box outside and removed the sheet. It gently acclimatised and then flew off (albeit in stages, it was clearly having to muster up a lot of energy from lack of food!) Finally it flew away over the garden hedge and hopefully will be able to feed up all day and regain its strength. I am amazed at its resilience considering it was up the chimney for several days and nights. Very relieved too!

[rossy]

well done celia, a happy ending for the dove, and welcome to the forum rossy.

[Littlesparrow]

Nice to hear of a happy ending, great.

[Celia]

Thanks - so reassuring also to know that people here understand! As I work from home and overlook the garden all day I was happy to see the dove return a few times to feed (recognisable by some rather bent tail feathers. general demeanour and a few traces of soot). Just hope it doesn't go falling down any more chimneys... (how does that happen?!!)

[rossy]

well if a sparrowhawk comes , the dove will try and hide, which may have been what happend, rossy.

[Hedera]

I often see doves and pigeons sitting on the tall chimneys of the house across the road - perhaps warm air is coming up? When the wind is strong they do wobble a bit so perhaps a gust blew yopurs down the chimney. So glad yours survived the ordeal - they are nice birds.