25/01/2025
Determining whether a wild pigeon needs help can be challenging, but there are several signs and behaviors you can look out for to decide if intervention is necessary. Here are some indicators that something might be wrong with a wild pigeon:
# Physical Signs
1. *Injuries*: Visible wounds, bleeding, or broken wings/legs.
2. *Labored breathing*: Rapid, shallow breaths, or gasping for air.
3. *Discharge or swelling*: Unusual discharge around the eyes, nostrils, or beak, or swelling in the face, legs, or wings.
4. *Matted or dirty feathers*: Feathers that are dirty, matted, or stuck together, indicating poor preening or inability to clean itself.
5. *Weight loss*: Visible weight loss, such as prominent breastbone or keel.
# Behavioral Signs
1. *Lethargy*: A pigeon that is unusually still, lethargic, or unresponsive.
2. *Loss of balance*: A pigeon that has difficulty standing, walking, or perching.
3. *Unusual vocalization*: gurgling, wheezing, sneezing or other unusual sounds.
4. *Changes in appetite*: A pigeon that has stopped eating or drinking.
5. ⚠️(*Approachability*: A wild pigeon that approaches humans too closely or shows no fear. This is the main sign a pigeon needs help.)⚠️
# Other Situations Requiring Help
1. *Orphaned chicks*: Pigeon chicks that have fallen from their nest or are alone and unattended.
2. *Entanglement*: A pigeon caught in netting, twine, or other debris.
3. *Window collisions*: A pigeon that has collided with a window and is stunned or injured.
4. *Poisoning*: A pigeon showing signs of poisoning, such as tremors, seizures, or unusual behavior.
# What to Do
1. *Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center*: Reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a local animal welfare organization for guidance and assistance. Most will not help pigeons so you came to the right place. Calaveras County Pigeon and Bird Rescue Team. We are a simple family who helps domestic pigeons and other birds. We are limited on how far we can travel but we do everything we can for these birds.
2. *Provide a safe environment*: If you intervene, place the pigeon in a secure, ventilated container with airholes, lined with a towel or paper towels.
3. *Offer water*: Provide a shallow dish of fresh water, you can offer bird seed or frozen peas. Do not try to force feed.
4. *Avoid handling more than necessary*: Minimize handling to prevent stressing the pigeon further.
When caring for injured birds, providing hydration is crucial. Mixing Gatorade with water can be a helpful way to replenish electrolytes and fluids. Here's a suggested guideline:
# Mixing Ratio
1. Start with a 1:10 ratio: 1 part Gatorade to 10 parts water.
2. Adjust the ratio as needed based on the bird's condition.
# Tips and Precautions
1. *Use a pediatric or unflavored/unsweetened Gatorade* to avoid adding unnecessary sugars or flavorings.
2. *Avoid using sports drinks with high caffeine content*, as they can be toxic to birds.
3. *Do not use Gatorade as a substitute for veterinary care*. Injured birds require professional attention to address underlying injuries or conditions.
4. *Monitor the bird's response* to the Gatorade mixture, and adjust or discontinue use if adverse reactions occur.
5. *Provide fresh, clean water* in addition to the Gatorade mixture to ensure the bird has access to plain water.
# When to Use
1. *Dehydration*: Birds showing signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, or lethargy.
2. *Electrolyte imbalance*: Birds that have experienced excessive droppings, vomiting, or diarrhea, leading to electrolyte loss.
# Important Reminder
While providing hydration and electrolytes is crucial, it is essential to seek care for injured birds. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator, volunteer rescue or avian veterinarian can provide proper diagnosis, treatment, and care to ensure the best possible outcome.
Please remember that this is a living being and has feelings. They feel pain, fear and deserve care just as much as any other animal.
⚠️(The phone number provided 1(209)772-8587 is a landline. That means that this phone cannot receive text messages or pictures. Please only call this number. This is the best way to get in contact with us as we are not always online.)⚠️
