5 days ago, i rescued a baby pigeon from being attacked by 2 magpies. It has obvious signs of injury, including a suspected broken wing and it is quite fluffed up. We have been keeping it in a shoebox and trying to feed it water and sloppy oats in small amounts. We have also left the bird outside for a few hours a couple of times, as its mother is hanging around, and has come down and fed the baby once, although the baby cant fly, so the mother flies away. The bird seems like it is getting worse, so what should I do??
Look here first (link below), then if native contact the relevant number for your area. If not native, then any vet, preferably with avian experience. Birds with broken wings cannot always be rehabillitated, and if ubable to be released (native species) then should be humanely euthanised. If domestic/feral, then some would suggest the same course of action.
You should keep warm and dry until help can be obtained. Good luck, and thanks for caring.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/Bird-rescuerehabilitation/What-do-if-you-find-injuredsick-bird-check-here-firsts tact the relevant
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I bought one up on oats and cous cous and crushed up millet. Originally I had to feed it mouth to mouth like a mum pigeon would. Luckily they grow very quickly and it's all over in 3 weeks or so. Keep taking it out to mix with the locals and feed them with the little one present so he can pick up their behaviour.
Honestly, you have had an injured bird that has needed vet attention for quite a long time and you have not taken it to the vet probably because you think the bird will be euthanised. That may be the case or it may not. Some vets will euthanise animals with poor prognosis to prevent prolonged suffering as many animals will remain "alive" while still suffering for longer than is believable; other vets will continue to try to prolong life longer than it is humane to do so and there are the rest who fall somewhere in the middle. All of these scenarios apply to carers of wildlife too! Imagine if you had a similar injury and were not given medical attention - it would be seen as cruelty if it was a human .. we all know that a minute of prolonged pain is sometimes too much - imagine what days of untreated pain would feel like plus the longer treatment is delayed the less chance there will be of a positive outcome. Breaks need to be treated rapidly not delayed.
I used to think "try and save everything and give everything a chance". Now, I think it is better to concentrate on those that have at least a good chance of survival in the wild and reduce the pain and suffering of the rest. Death is a natural part of the cycle of life and some live longer than others and some are even born to provide food for other creatures and when humans get involved in the process we often (with the best intentions) do not do the right thing for the animal. Most wild animals mask the degree of their injury and pain to avoid being targeted as prey and in the process suffer pain and fear more than is acceptable.
Please take the bird ASAP to either a vet or a wildlife carer both of whom have experience in assessing the kindest option for your bird's well being to either get treatment (pain relief or medication) or to end it's suffering!
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."