Little Dove sustains a beak injury

While Chuck and I were gone today it appears Little Dove and Blueberry got into a little scuffle. And Little Dove got the brunt of it all. There were quite a few of his feathers scattered about their cage as well as on the floor.

They aren't 'forever' mates, rather just roommates, and have gotten along wonderfully for nearly three years. I have no idea what prompted this.

This is what I first noticed.



I thought he just had a scrape, however after I got him cleaned up, it looks like perhaps Blueberry's beak might have sliced right down the center of Little Dove's beak.



I checked him over and he doesn't appear to have any other injuries. There is some blood on his wing but I suspect he shook his head and that's how it got there.

He was extremely cooperative while I cleaned his beak and applied some neosporin cream.

I have moved him to another (smaller) cage. After he got settled in, I saw he take a couple drinks of water.
I feel confident he will be OK, but I will keep a very close eye on him.

Here he is in his 'recovery' cage.

Poor little guy

I know.

Poor Little Dove! Best wishes for his speedy recovery.

Poor Little Dove ..........his beak looks so sore.

Cindy, are you sure this was an attack by Blueberry? That gash looks much to sraight and uniform to be from another beak. Is it possible that he could have caught his beak into something and skinned it like that while trying to free himself?

I'm not trying to exonerate Blueberry, but it seems very strange that after being together and getting along for 3 years that he would turn on Little Dove like this.

You may never know for sure. But in any case, I'm sending healing thoughts for a speedy recovery for Little Dove.


Louise

Teresa wrote:

Poor Little Dove! Best wishes for his speedy recovery.

Thanks, Teresa.
Such an appropriate picture.

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Poor Little Dove ..........his beak looks so sore.

* Cindy, are you sure this was an attack by Blueberry? That gash looks much to sraight and uniform to be from another beak. Is it possible that he could have caught his beak into something and skinned it like that while trying to free himself?

** I'm not trying to exonerate Blueberry, but it seems very strange that after being together and getting along for 3 years that he would turn on Little Dove like this.

You may never know for sure. But in any case, I'm sending healing thoughts for a speedy recovery for Little Dove.

Louise

* No, I can't be positively sure of anything as I wasn't home at the time.
I can say though Little Dove has been in that same cage for 4 years, ever since we got him, and never has he had any incidents. There isn't anything in the cage that he could have gotten caught on.

** Actually Blueberry is a female and had been sitting on her wooden eggs. It's possible that Little Dove flew over to the perch closest to her basket and for whatever reason didn't like it, although she had never seemed bothered by that in the past.

I honestly have no idea.

*** Thank you, Louise.

Right after I uncovered Little Dove this morning he began eating.

That's good news.

Looks like he's on the road to a full recovery


Louise

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Looks like he's on the road to a full recovery


Louise

I think so, Louise.
He is such a little darling. As is Blueberry.

I woke up this morning to the wonderful, but very loud :That\\\'s so f , sound of Little Dove cooing.
He's eating, drinking, preening, pooping and cooing so I'm sure he'll be just fine.

So glad to hear that Little Dove is recovering so well

How does his beak look?


Louise

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

So glad to hear that Little Dove is recovering so well

How does his beak look?

Louise

For the most part, it's looking good.
It hasn't completely healed, of course, but it doesn't look infected and he sure isn't having any problems
with it.

I only just started reading this thread tonight, but I'm glad to hear Little Dove is okay.

Joyful Pigeon.

He's doing great.
He's our little feathered alarm clock. :That\\\'s so f He starts in with his cooing right about 5.
He and any rooster would be great competitors, he's so loud. Gotta love it!!

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Poor Little Dove ..........his beak looks so sore.

Cindy, are you sure this was an attack by Blueberry? That gash looks much to sraight and uniform to be from another beak.
Louise

Hi Louise,

The more I got to thinking about what you said about the beak, I'm wondering if Blueberry's toe nail might have caught his beak.

Cindy..........That sounds highly plausible. The wound looked more like a straight tear than anything that could have been caused by pecking.

You will propably never know for sure, but Little Dove is very fortunate that nothing more serious occured.

I'm so happy that he is continuing to heal and should be back to his normal self in no time at all.


Louise

Thanks, Louise.
He's definitely back to normal.

I'm glad to hear that he is.

Matilda wrote:

I'm glad to hear that he is.

Charis.
Now he want OUT of his recovery cage. So I'll have to make some alterations to his big cage so he can enjoy the space again.