Expert: Julia Booth - 8/12/2009

Question
hi i have found a bird its either a pigeon or dove . it is now fully feathered but still has some yellow wirery featheres . it is feeding well and can drink by its self , it is now flying from bath to window sill but not far when would i be able to release it as i have 3 cats and don't want them to get it i want it to just fly away and enjoy being free
many thanx  Nikki xx

Answer
I'm not sure what you mean by yellow or wiry. If the bird's feathers have not completely grown in, then it won't be able to fly well enough to escape from danger. It might be able to fly across the room. But you need to know if it will be able to support itself in the air for more than a few seconds.

The only way to know for sure is to take it outside. Hold it in your hand and pump your arm up and down to encourage the flapping of wings. If it takes off, it's ready. If it takes off and falls down fifteen feet away, pick it up and bring it back inside and try again tomorrow. I've never done this with a dove. But it works on wrens and finches.

I recommend early in the morning, or at least before nine.

Hope this helps,

Julia

(also kudos to you for letting a dove or pigeon fly freely around your house. Not many people would do that)