That is one beautiful Pigeon. Sounds like you are doing just fine with him Deb. I believe Camille gave you the information you need. They do like to eat off of the ground as well.

What do you do with him...looks like he was someones pet...no band.
PetCo sells them down here, you may want to check with them and other pet stores. Keep an eye out in the paper under lost & found.

Thank you very much for helping this wayward bird, the bird more than likely is a loft bird, is the bird Banded?
The little bird was starving, the lack of nutrition breaks down there immune system and it appears this little one is ill.
If possible this bird could use some Bird Biotic, Bird antibiotic for pet birds
This medication might be sold at your pet shop; Doxycycline is the drug we are looking for.
The bird has been wondering for some time now, its apparent the little one is used to humans, how he/she became lost is a mystery, but when things get ruff they will always find a human for help.
The bird will not survive if released, at least not in his/her current condition.
It will take a month (maybe longer) to get this little one back into good health and spirits.
I don’t know the level of commitment you are willing to go but if possible a 5 sided one foot square box (wood) turned on its side and hung towards the top of the outdoor aviary will help the bird feel secure and safe, even a handful of straw will help the bird.
The temps you speak of are tolerable, the Pigeon is a very hearty bird, but they do need shelter and a sick bird needs this shelter even more, feeling safe and out of the elements helps the bird to get healthy again.
Such a pretty little bird, I would offer to cover the cost to ship the bird to me but I simply can’t afford the costs right now, that poor little bird is not Feral and won’t survive on his-her own unless maybe there’s a feral flock that the bird can join up with, this gives the bird a fighting chance.
Otherwise a domesticated Pigeon (lost) is doomed to a life of wondering and starvation, unless they join up with a feral flock somewhere.
It costs $11.00 dollars to have a live bird shipping box sent out, then another $27.00 to ship, I simply don’t have the funds right now, loosing my roofing job has really hurt my rescue abilities.
I have the medications to help the bird, I simply can’t afford the shipping right now, I pray you understand.
The seed and fresh water will help the bird a great deal; I suspect there’s a little food poisoning or flu like symptoms this little bird is struggling with.
Thank you again for all you are doing to help this little bird, he’she would surely have perished without your kindness.
Sending prayer to both of you!
Peace
Arty

The bird is fluffed, so the little one is ill, a healthy bird will be as smooth as a babies behind and appear less LARGE so to speak...
Who knows what this bird has ate (if anything).
A Feral pigeon is used to eating what ever they can find, there tolerence level has adjusted to there eating habbits.
This little bird is not Feral, a loft bird is used to eating seed and fresh water, so I do suspect either food poisoning and or a parasite from drinking un clean water.
But the little one isn't feeling well...
How we tell when our Exotics aren't feeling well applies with this little pigeon also...He/she is feeling alittle ill....
The bird biotic I posted above are mild and help a great deal.
It maybe best to check around for some Pigeon fanciers near you, but then a Pigeon Fancier won't risk bringing a sick bird into there loft, most don't have a seclussion area as these birds are put down, sick birds are put down and the healthy birds are treated..
In my world, sick birds are helped, the loft keeper operates differently.
I really doubt there is anyone out there looking for this bird, folks that keep one pigeon as a house bird (pet) is unheard of (rare), a pigeon fancier keeps many birds.
Missing one bird is no big deal...to me Yes...but then I love these birds, I rescue these birds, I am a different breed of animal compared to the normal Pigeon Fancier, I hope this is understandable to everyone.
You can post a notice, most pet shops have bulletin boards, FOUND PIGEON but don't describe him/her, let the person describe the bird to claim.
The bird is use to humans, so he/she is not feral...
If nobody claims the bird and when he/she is feeling better you can release the bird near a feral flock, this offers the bird a fighting chance, or maybe care for the bird for awhile until I can come up with the funds to ship the little one to me...
Arty

Hi Arty! Thank you for the information. I just went out and checked on S/he and appears to be doing well thus far. Pidgey is sitting in the crate, stuffed with hay, looking out the door. It looks like Pidgey was in the seed dish again this morning by the amount scattered on the ground and then returned to the carrier. What else can I offer s/he to eat? Should I put food/water up high as well as on the ground? Currently the bowls are up high right close to the carrier mounted to a wide flat perching area.

I want to help this bird and will do all I can. I actually already have an appointment with my AV tomorrow for checkups on some of my fids, so I will take Pidgey instead and reschedule for the others. My AV treats all forms of birds, from chickens to eagles, native wild birds to parrots, etc... This would be the best options right? I am no vet, and whatever is ailing this Pigeon I would think would be best diagnosed by an AV.

Can I treat this bird well enough to make it safe around my other birds? Right now s/he is in the aviary I usually put the Greys in for the nice days outside. It would be nice if that was possible, otherwise I will be shipping this kiddo to you Arty or building a loft (like so many others are doing on here!).

I need to scoot and care for the rest of the flock. I will be back on in alittle while.

I wouldn't allow your other birds to use the outdoor aviary quite yet.
I appeciate you taking the bird to your vet, this is very very kind.
Please ask your vet to check the eyes, I see something..(I pray not)...but each bird is different...
Best to see what the vet says.
If the bird just sits there (in-active) and fluffed then something is wrong...just a heads up.
If the bird was in good health...then the finders wouldn't have been able to catch him/her...again....just a heads up...
Please know your kindness shines, and I will be thinking of you and this wayward Pigeon...
Arty

What do you see?????? Please share... this is a learning experience for me and everyone else that cares to learn.



and of course, a healthy bird is always harder to contain than an ill one. This is why I brought him home and put him out in a safer environment. If he had been put back out, surely he would have died. If I can save him, I will do all in my powers.

The guy that brought him in had him in a cardboard box for three days feeding him black sunflower and crackers and he said he hung around at his work for three days prior to that. I picked him up and his weight felt alright... thin but not emaciated.

You promise not to become upset?
You look at this link and look at your rescue...
I only suspect....as I said each bird is different...best to ask your vet...
Specific infectious diseases Pox

Now don't worry, you've done everything correct....
I could be wrong....there coloration differences could be as I have said (each bird is different)....best to be cautious....

Arty

Look into the mouth cavity, and check the feet...wash your hands with bleach.
Read the link fully.....again the coloration is the key...if it appears yellowish then best to get the bird treatment...it could be a simple difference in the breed...

Here's a normal eye....Now just remember..I am not a vet...I simply know pigeons and there needs....issues....

Oh no.. I will not become upset. You will get to know me Arty, I am sure, and find I am quite interested in ALL aspects of Aviculture.

Here are some photos from this morning.









What do you think? I am still taking him in tomorrow for an exam. I do this for all new birds that come into my care.