Baby pigeon rescue

[lordpurchase]

A friend called me today to say they have a baby pigeon that has been abandoned by its mother in its nest and asked me if I could collect it. They have been feeding it milk and bread. I told my friend its best to leave the baby pigeon alone but keep an eye on it because its mother might return. I also told them its not good to give birds bread.

If the worse happens and the mother doesn't return I will then collect the baby bird and look after it until its ready to fly away and feed it on bird formula 4 times a day with a feeding syringe and keep it warm indoors.

There is a lot of pigeons nesting at this time of year. I also have a pigeon nesting outside my living room doors and I thought about putting the baby pigeon into that nest in the hopes it will get looked after by the other mother pigeon but from my research this is a bad idea.

 

I'm going to see the pigeon tomorrow just to see how it is and what stage its at. I do have budgies at home so I have to be mindful that I don't transfer anything nasty from the baby pigeon on to the budgies. The pigeon will be kept well away from the budgies anyway but I've still got to be careful. Hopefully the baby pigeons mom will return by tomorrow but if she doesn't then I might have too intervene.

Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Hezz]

The pigeon would be better off being cared for by a registered wildlife career as they will know exactly what to do to make sure that it is not humanised and exactly when it should be released. If you don’t know how to find a career, a vet surgery should be able to organise one, or otherwise RSPCA will take it on and properly rehabilitate it.

[Marianne Marlow]

I don't know where you are in the world but there are pigeon rescue groups on facebook that may be able to help you.

I found this one in London: www.facebook.com/PigeonRescueTeam/

[lordpurchase]

I went to see the baby pigeon today which looks like its doing fine I'd say it will probably be ready to leave the nest within the next two weeks. Its mother returned this morning. I told my friend that its very important to leave it be. I know sometimes mother pigeons can leave there chicks for some time before returning as the chick grows and sometimes the male and female pigeon will take turns sitting on the nest when the chicks are very young.

I'm a bit wary of the RSPCA because pigeons are so common and considered a nuisance/pests/vermin they might put it to sleep also I've heard many rescue centers aren't interested in feral street pigeons, they have to be certain breeds I may be wrong.

The good news is the mother is back so nobody will have to intervene.

[Hezz]

Good, best for nature to do her thing.