wood pigeon with broken leg

[woodpigeon76]

hi i have a wood pigeon visiting the garden with a broken leg, its hanging on the floor backwards, so must be broken high up. phoned the wildlife hospital, they say to take it to a vets. i rang the vets and after speaking to the avian nurse they said they would put it to sleep because wood pigeons deal very badly in captivity.

its eating seed and drinking water and can fly.

is it best to leave it alone or scare it to death taking it to the vets? thats if i can catch it in the first place.

would appreciate any advice, it makes me very sad. it was only last week a wood pigeon fell down the chimney and died. we are looking into covers for the chimney pots
thanks
laura

[Littlesparrow]

I don't know the answer woodpigeon76, a lot of vets put common birds down anyway. I think if it were me I would leave it a few days unless it can't eat, or lets you catch it easily. We have a magpie with a deformed leg which was probably broken at sometime and is bent under him, he manages quite well on one leg.

[shenk1]

My mum has one visit with a L shaped leg and its been coming for a few years so it seems to be managing - also comes with a mate so all looks well in that area too (not sure of the sex though - boy or girl I mean)

We also have a dove with a deformed foot thats been coming for about 5 years

Unless it gets too ill to fly (infection etc) then I'd leave it be.

Welcome to WAB

shenk1

[woodpigeon76]

thanks little sparrow and shenk1

i really appreciate your advice, i get so upset and cant think properly!

my gut feeling was to let it be and keep an eye on him. i think catching him would be more terrible for him than breaking his leg in the first place.

he spends most of his time sitting and wobbling on the fence with his leg hanging down and struggles alot on the ground.

hes gone to the park now, sending him good vibes ad i will put more seed out later.

thanks

[nightshade]

Not nice but I have seen feral pigeons with no legs still feeding and flying!!