Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/14/2006

Question
Hello, and thank you so VERY much for answering my question. I really appreciate it a lot. I really love that bird. I was just wondering if you think it would be better if I called the vet to come to our house, or if I take him to the vet in a cage- would that give him shock though? Yesterday he flew up onto the roof for the first time in ages, and then he flew away somewhere for a while and came back later on during the day- does that mean he could be getting a bit better do you think? Should I still bring the vet though?  He likes to walk into the laundry every day and sit in there because the dryer makes the whole laundry nice and warm, and also, we have a big shed in the backyard and it has a little hole cut out of the side of the shed as we used to have a rabbit and we cut him a hole so he could easily jump in and out of the shed whenever he felt like it, and now Romeo the pigeon goes into the same hole and sleeps in there,in the shed, and in the morning my dad (he gets up really early) sees Romeo coming out of that hole every morning my Dad said, so he must sleep in the shed every night, so is it okay do you think if I put him a box in there with newspaper or pine shavings to sleep in?
Thank you so very much for your help, I really apprecaite it a lot, (and so does Romeo!), love from Christina in Australia

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Followup To
Question -
Hello there, how are you going? Thank you for taking the time to answer this question. In our backyard, we have a flock of pigeons who come every morning and live in our yard all day, and at night they fly off. I feed them and give them water, and most of them let me pat them too, and most of them eat out of my hand. I love them a lot. There is one pigeon that I have named Romeo, who I wanted to ask you about as I worry for him. One of his wings is hanging down to the ground, it is droopy, and I am worried about him. Whenever he sees me every morning when I come out with my big pot of spaghetti to feed them, he starts shaking, but after a minute or two he stops shaking, and eats with the rest of the birds. Also, whenever the other birds fly off, he does not fly off with them. And when they leave at night, he stays behind and goes into our shed and sleeps. The other day I saw him trying to fly up onto the roof and he could only get half way up and then he would fall back down. So I was worried about him. What do you think could be wrong with his wing, and what can I do to help? And do you know why he shakes when he sees me? He can't be scared of me as every day when I come out, he runs up to me, up the steps and all the way along the porch and right up to me. I can't take him to a vet, because as far as I know they are wild birds, and he might get a fright. Do you think he's in pain? He doesn't look like he is. He sits under my feet with his eyes shut, looking happy. Do you think I should build him a little house with a blanket in it? Thank you very much for your time, I really apprecaite it a lot, from Christina in Australia

Answer -
Hi, Christina.  Thanks for posting.

This pigeon has most likely injured it's wing somehow.  It might even be broken.  Could also be some type of disease at one of the joints of the wing (if only 1 wing is affected).  If you can, pick the bird up and examine it's wing to see if you can identify a problem (lump, break, parasite, etc.).  Normally, if a pigeon can't fly, it's a wing issue (unless the pigeon is simply overweight or something along these lines).  Sometimes in flying, pigeons can hit utility lines, tree branches when trying to flee from a predator, etc.  I had a pigeon come home from a race one time with both legs broken most likely from hitting telephone wires during flight.  It might be necessary with a break to splint the wing.  Pigeons can't bite like a parrot can, so don't be afraid of handling the bird...their pecks are harmless most of the time.  

Birds shake for several different reasons.  Sometimes it is fear, but usually birds (as well as other animals...even humans) shake as a way to regulate body temperature.  

To help this pigeon, you could take s/he inside to ensure the bird gets sufficient warmth, food, hydration, etc.  In addition, an injured bird on the outside is a meal waiting to be eaten!  In other words, this pigeon most likely will not be able to flee from a predator, which means it will be dinner sooner than later.  Avian vets treat wild birds, too, so this shouldn't be a problem if you have avian vets around.  Perhaps a local fish and wildlife service, humane society, etc., can help out.  

Pigeons can make very nice pets (they aren't noisy, can't bite like a parrot, simple to feed).  I've handfed quite a few pigeons who became very tame and I've even trained a couple to respond to my commands.  You will never hear a pigeon cry out in pain...they just don't...even if they are in severe pain.  Therefore, this pigeon could be hurting, but you'd never know it.  In many cases, a bird who closes it's eyes when it isn't sleeping could be an indication of dehydration...ensure the pigeon is drinking sufficient water.  

I don't know about the blanket for the pigeon, but I'd recommend you take the bird inside.  S/he can live in a cage, box, etc., but I'd recommend using just newspaper or pine shavings or something like this as substrate.  You could end up with a VERY grateful friend, who is tame to boot!  Depending on the severity of this issue with the wing, this pigeon may or may not ever be able to survive in the wild again.  Also, the pigeon might need some type of medication for it's condition.

Come back if you need to.  I can offer some websites for pigeon meds, etc., if the need arises.

Chrys  

Answer
Hi, Christina.  Sounds like the pigeon is getting better.  Sometimes if they fly for long periods of time (like in a race), lactic acid can build up in the wings and cause them to be sore.  Lactic acid build-up is what happens when muscles get sore if they haven't been used in a while (animals and humans).  Perhaps this is what was wrong with Romeo (I like that name!).  Sounds like Romeo has made your home his home now.  It would be perfectly OK if you made him a bed in your shed.  He could come and go as he pleases.  You could call the vet in if you want to or just see what happens the next few days.  Perhaps Romeo will be fine.  Normally, when they hang their wings down like your described Romeo was doing, it is because of something wrong in the wing.  If Romeo was being chased by a hawk or falcon or some other predator (not sure what type of raptors you might have in Australia), his muscles could have become sore and are gradually getting better.  A vet might be able to offer more definitive information as a result of a physical examination.  If Romeo had pigeon canker (which would show up as a knot or lump at a wing joint), or a broken wing, he would not be able to fly.  Watch Romeo though.  Sounds like he still isn't flying too well and hawks/falcons, etc., love to eat pigeons.  If he can't fly well, he could become prey (even for cats or other ground dwellers) who just like to kill birds.  

Pigeons can make very nice pets.  You are a kind person who must love animals very much to be so observant and caring toward Romeo.  Pigeons become active as soon as the sun comes up and they look for a place to roost as soon as the sun starts going down (diurnal birds can't see to fly when it's dark so they go to roost).  He needs to eat pigeon grain or some type of wild bird food, in addition to the spaghetti you feed them (I've never heard of a pigeon eating spaghetti!).  They also like greens, like peas or chopped lettuce, etc.  They LOVE taking baths, so you might want to provide some type of shallow pan for him to bathe in (they'll bathe every day).  I have about 250 racing homing pigeons and I often just turn the garden hose on medium soft and soak them while they are outside in their aviary.

Good luck and keep in touch.  Someday I'll get the chance to visit Australia.  A lot of the parrots I keep originated in Australia...I'd love to see them in the wild.

Chrys