Collared Dove with infected eye

Lindy007 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 06:34 PM

Hello, this is my first post as I am new to the forum, new to having a garden and new to having wild birds!

I have managed to capture some photos and video of a collared dove (which I think is a fledgling?) which has a serious problem with one eye. I can't get to close to photograph him (or her) as he flies away as soon as he sees me. The feathers look a bit messy, but I think its because he wipes his eye on them - I have seem him do it, like scratching his eye.

He must need attention but I don't know where to start. I am not very abled physically, so can't imagine trying to catch him - but even if I do, where would I take him?

Just for now, can anyone suggest what has happened to this bird - sounds a stupid question but there might be someone on here that has dealt with something similar before.

I also had a collared dove last week that was hopping round on one leg - holding up the other leg as though he had damaged that.

I think I have made the images too small for uploading?

Za · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 06:53 PM

Hi Lindy, welcome to WAB, sorry to see the state of the dove, I dont know anything about them, but it looks like its eyeball has gone, and with an infection that bad I would be surprised if it lasts long.
Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable members will be along soon to advise on any possible help that you could offer it.

Za

tcvarlh · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 09:27 PM

Hi Lindy
Collareds are an aggressive dove species and often peck at each other causing such injuries. (The Dove as a symbol of Peace has always made me shudder, generally they fight like cats and dogs) As Za said the bird may make it or it may not. I've seen them survive worse wounds and others just fade away with tiny scratches.
h

Lindy007 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 09:54 AM

Thank you for your replies Za and tcvarlh.

I didn't realise they could be aggressive to each other, as I haven't seem them act this way.

I have seen him again and he seems to be worse. Attached a photo I grabbed from some video I took of him yesterday.

I am not sure whether I should be finding a cage of some kind (from a junk shop) and trying to catch him, then take him to a vet - I'm just not sure if it's the done thing or if they should be left alone?

No doubt this won't be the first bird with a bad injury and I could be forever trying to rescue them!

tcvarlh · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 12:32 PM

My late Father, an inveterate bird rescuer reckoned 4 out of 10 successes with pigeons/doves. IF he could get it to feed then he thought there was a chance, some will not, end of story.
Their aggression is almost human. I have seen them act like sadistic bullies and terrorise, batter another weaker bird to death even going so far as to consume brain matter. Obviously not every pigeon or dove is so biased but as a kid I saw it often enough.
I like the Columbs though, any creature who has offspring SO intensely ugly and STILL feeds it has to have a good side.

You could try to cage and treat the bird if you wished, I doubt it would end as a success story but your heart will tell you what you should do.

Is the bird feeding and drinking? Can it fly? Does it walk normally? If so then I would advise let nature do whatever is needed.

h

valleyforge · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 03:10 PM

Hi Lindy007,

As other contributers have already stated, I'm afraid it is not that uncommon to encounter wild birds that are disabled in some way or another.

If it helps in any way at all, our protocol in such circumstances is not to intervene if, and for as long as the bird can still readily evade capture ... in most cases this means it still having the ability to fly at least out of range of immediate threat.

Provided it can avoid succumbing to infection (or further infections), the bird still has a good, though somewhat reduced, chance of survival in the wild.

You can best assist it by continuing to provide a reliable food and water supply, and by monitoring it to ensure its condition does not decline.

For many birds like this, repeated attempts to 'rescue' it, might just increase its stress to the point where it can't successfully fight off any infection, or scare it away from a potentially safe food resource ... so the least harm can sometimes be to not interfere, except passively by feeding/observing.

Lindy007 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-06-2011, 04:24 AM

Thank you all so much for your advice & info on their behavior.

The eye seems a little better but still quite bad. I have seen the dove each day and he seems to be coming more regular.

He is eating well, although I haven't noticed him drinking any water. He seems to be a bit off balance when flying but walks OK.

It's a battle making sure there is food there for when he comes, as the wood pigeons try to eat the lot!

Will update you if/when there is any change in him!
Thank you all again