My visitor who became a patient

My feathery friend Capuccino is the boldest of my balcony pigeons, he who strolls in when the door is open to eat from his own special food pot. He's a mature adult, with a the head shape of a homer, and a good size (I found he weighs in around 450 grams).

Unfortunately, something - whether four-legged, winged or wheeled - gave him a nasty wound on his back a few weeks back. It had already formed quite a scab by the time I saw him outside, on the first day for a little while I was home at the right time. He didn't try to fly off, just stood and looked up at me, so in he came.

He had seven days of Noroclav (aka Synulox, Clavamox) and has been well sponged down with home made saline solution, and is currently residing in my apartment (right now on top of the wardrobe :) ). He may have been initially bewildered at finding himself inside a big cage on a heat pad, but he settled in readily and was no doubt glad to see his food pot with plenty of varied pigeon mix plus peanuts.

He's traveled the road to Cynthia's and back a couple of times now, and seems to accept the temporary transitions without concern - at least, his excellent poops seem to indicate he doesn't feel stressed. In a couple of weeks time, he will have some time in the aviary so I can see if he is flying well (never so easy to judge inside). If he seems unimpaired, he can go back out onto the balcony and resume normal pigeon life.



The white stuff is cotton wool (cotton waste) - some on his back, some he stepped on

Capuccino is quite stunning, John.
His coloring reminds me of Fefo the Beautiful.
Sorry to hear about his mishap.

His recovery quarters couldn't be better, whether it be at your place or Cynthia's.

Please keep us posted on the progress of his recovery.

Today, Cappy was returned to the great outdoors. Well, okay, lounging on the roof across the street and roosting in his accustomed place on the windowsill :)

I made sure he had time to eat breakfast, then took him into the lounge mid-morning, so he could wander out at his own pace. Capuccino's pace is leisurely and calm, so he had a look around then stood on the doormat awhile, turning to look at me a couple of times. Eventually he went out, then came back in and studied his private feeding place (just checking it's all as it should be, I assume) then trotted out and took off. He was back later, cooing and dancing along the railing, and returned again at roosting time to claim his usual place.

This weekend, he spent much of Saturday and Sunday in the aviary and was just so laid back about the culture change of being put in with a whole load of pigeons in a confined place. He explored from one end to the other, finding the new v-perches in the shed to his liking, and roosting comfortably at the back of the shelter at the other end of the aviary overnight. He is just such a relaxed pigeon - just makes himself at home wherever he may be.

He's definitely been a model patient!

Capuccino wrote:

* Today, Cappy was returned to the great outdoors.

* Thanks for the update on Cappy, John.

Your photo is absolutely beautiful.

Matilda wrote:

Oh...that's wonderful news. He must be a bit older to be so calm.
Now he know where to come if he's in trouble.

Think you are right on both counts :)

He has a few little 'ink blots' which, on reds and red bars (males only), seem to increase in number with age. Cappy has been trotting in and out of the lounge for at least 18 months, so I'd guess he is at least 2 1/2 years old.

If he was hurt or sick, I think instinct and will would get him here if pigeonly possible. Some do seem to make it this far, then just give up, ready to be taken in - injuries, PMV or just weak and undernourished.

Cindy - thank you. Fortunately, not too much of the grime on the window shows :)

What a wonderful story. And a handsome bird.