Found a Poorly Wood Pigeon

Would you believe it? I never find poorly birds and the minute I get an aviary, one turns up! It was feeding beside the aviary where I'd deliberately put some seed to get the wild birds to come down and peck.

I thought it seemed tame, as it didn't really move much when we went up to it. It ran across the garden, just taking flight about 6" from the ground (two flaps at most) and then landing again. It kept trying to get through the wire we have around our garden (redline horse netting) and obviously couldn't fly over it.

I phoned Janet and she said to check for canker, which I have done. The throat is clean. I've rehydrated it by giving it a small amount with a syringe (forgot to put in the sugar and salt though). I've checked it over and found no puncture wounds, or anything.

It seems a bit drunk and sluggish. Its eyes are bright and it's not dozing off or anything like that.

Any ideas? It's currently in Tweaty's cage sitting quite happily on the perch.

Wendy

Is it a young bird?
Also, just because you can't see canker in the mouth or throat, doesn't mean the bird dosn't have it. I thought the same for years until Cynthia provided the excillent article by Colin Walker.

Learning all the time! Janet did mention that.

I think it's fairly young. It still has the grey feet, whereas Tweat and Pip are starting to get orange feet. Plus his beak is still grey with a very faint yellow tip. He's well fed though and not scrawny. He must have originally flown into our garden so he's not been poorly too long I'd have thought.

He's still in his cage and is fairly relaxed about life. Until I pop my hand in to do anything with him that is.

Will he eat and drink?

I'm not sure as when I go near to his cage he starts to flutter about. So I can't actually offer him any food and water, but there is some in his cage if he wants it.

I've just been to check on him and he's sitting on the perch in there quite happily. It's 6.20pm here now so I won't let him out tonight.

How about poops?

He's not done one yet - will keep an eye out

He needs to be fed ASAP. I'm not familiar with Wood Pigeons and I think you should call Janet or Cynthia to ask them the best way to hand feed him. Could be the corn/pea method is the best. He isn't going to get any stronger without food.

Thanks - will try and feed him. His poops are slightly on the watery side.

Are the poops bright green?

Hi Wendy,

Just to confirm I'll send you some Spartrix tablets first class tomorrow to try and make sure if there's any canker further down that's dealt with.
As you say he's got watery poops I'll pop some Appertex tablets in aswell which treat Coccidiosis as another possibility.

I can't remember if you had to force feed Tweaty peas. If not then sit this bird on your lap, wrap it lightly in a towel in case it struggles, then gently open it's beak and pop a pea in rolling to the back of it's throat so it can swallow.
I assume it can feed itself if it's not thin it must have been managing so far, but it may not recognise peas as food to do it itself.

Apart from worms I'm not sure what else to look for. It's good you didn't find any puncture wounds, but it is a bit of a mystery as to where it suddenly came from.

Keep us posted as to how it's doing, and maybe Cythnia will have some more suggestions as to what you can look for.

The poops will let us know whether it's starving or not so keep an eye on them. Once you start to feed it then you'll know how much it's eating and the poops should return to normal if there's nothing wrong.

Good luck,

Janet

Here are pre-written instructions...

You can hand feed defrosted corn and peas. Run some hot water over them until they are defrosted and slightly warmed. Put the bird on your lap and hold it next to your body. I f it helps, you can wrap a towel around it or put it in the sleeve of a tee shirt, with the head out the wrist. That confines them without hurting them and makes it easier to handle. Gently open the beak and pop the piece of corn and peas at the back of the mouth and over the throat. You will need to feed 40-50 per feeding and every time the bird’s crop empties until you know it is eating on their own.
This is a wonderful method for teaching babies to eat because they feel the whole food in their mouth and it’s soft and easy to pick up and hang on to. The next step… seeds.
The crop is located right below the throat and with food it fills up like a little balloon. The peas and corn make it lumpy and squishy.

Thanks everyone. It seems fine - just sitting on the perch still and roosting, so I'll have a go at feeding it first thing in the morning and see how it is. Fancy this happening. It must have known to land in our garden knowing it would be looked after

The poops are normal coloured, but water spreads out around the edge.

Thanks for the pills Janet - you're a

Wend.

So then the bird has eaten today? If not, you really do need to feed tonight rather than wait until the morning. While I haven't seen the bird, I do know that interviening sooner rather than later can be the difference between life and death.

Yes, we watched him spend ages eating the seed I'd put beside the new aviary. I left them all to it and came back about half an hour later and he was still there picking at the seed. So I do know he's eaten. He's also had about two syringes of water.

He's definitely not an underfed pigeon and he's nice and alert, just can't fly.

Will Janet be sending a wormer? If not, PM me your address and I will put some in the post.

Personally I am bit reluctant to advise treating a youngster for canker when there is no evidence that this is a problem, though I know that St Tiggywinkles treats all new pigeon and collared dove arrivals prophylactically on admission. Canker need not be visible in the mouth for it to be there, but there are usually other symptoms, for example crop stasis if there is proventricular canker. IMO it is important that youngsters are allowed to develop immunity to the canker strains that they have been exposed to by parental feeding.

But it is a judgement call...I have never had a rescue that showed no identifiable symptoms of canker on arrival develop it during quarantine or after integration into the aviary and this obviously colours my view.

Hi Cynthia,

I don't have a wormer I can send as I use the Harkers drops, and I spilt the bottle the other day so need to replace. Would be good if you can.
I'll send some Spartrix and Appertex anyway so Wendy has some to hand should the need arise.
I've told her to check things out with you first before medicating anyway if unsure.

Would it be an idea to wait on feeding to see if the crop is empty in the morning first then. If there is crop statis could that be identified by the crop not emptying overnight?

I've just remembered my last Woodie that was taken for release last week didn't have any signs of canker when he arrived. It developed after being here two days, so if she has the meds to hand she can keep an eye on him while he's still there.

Janet

Sorry, I forgot to update you all on this. I think a good rest, water and some food really helped and when I released him to see if he was OK, he flew off quite easily. I was pleased

I saw him the garden today, however, and he did that little jump and two flaps of the wings. My heart sank, but when I went into the garden to see if I could catch him again, he flew off right across the garden, over the fence, over the next field and then glided to safety in the arable field beyond. So I think he's definitely better, but maybe playing for sympathy!

He will be fed and watered in our garden if he wants to be and often goes and sits near the aviary. He's about the same age as mine, so he probably doesn't feel lonely when he's there. He's eating and drinking all the time. I think he's rather tame for some reason and doesn't seem too stressed being in the company of humans.

Another little angel saved - thanks for all your help.

Wend.

That's really lovely you're still able to see him about. It probably is seeing your two that brings him near.

There'll be a queue forming at the door to the aviary soon with Woodies wanting an easy life !!