Injured crested pigeon help?

[spanna]

In keeping with the trend of injured birds being found, my partner found a crested pigeon (adult) on the side of the road and gave me a call. It was approachable, and she managed to throw a towel over it and catch it, then bought it to me. It has a large chunk of tail feathers missing, and an injury under its left wing which is still bleeding, so for now I have left it well enough alone in a warm box, with maggots, greens, finch mix and a bit of small parrot mix (what I have on hand). I have also provided some water with poly-aid plus (electrolytes and such).

I am so far entirely basing my "treatment", if you can call it that, on past experiences with injured finches in similar circumstances; give them good feed, water and heat, then leave them well enough alone. I understand that the bird may need veterinary assistance but am unable to make an appointment for today, so will wait til my neighbour is home and ask for her to have a look at it (vet/teacher at local TAFE, usually has some basic treatments available also).

Anything else anyone can add in the interim?

Cheers, Luke

[spanna]

Unfortunately it just passed on, short struggle then nothing. Don't know how long ago it was injured, but the wound was fairly bloody just then when I had a look. Shame.

[Nrg800]

From the sound of it either a cat or a small dog got it. Both of which cause much more internal damage than they do superficial. Sorry to hear it passed away, but you did your best.

[spanna]

Thanks Nrg, that was my conclusion given the signs as well. I did spot a big black cat (with tags) near bushland where it was found just the other day, so I think I stakeout and visit to the owners may be in order. Someone needs to be held accountable, not a happy camper.

[matcho]

I wouldn't be claiming a cat or dog attack straight away. Crested pigeons are a prime food source for many of a our falcons and other birds of prey so it may have been an intended victim and made good its escape but unfortunately sustained its injury. From my experience if cats get hold of a bird and is able to bite then its all over red rover because of the bite mechanism, swift and sure when combined with the claws. Shame about this particular incident but it is happening right now as we speak all over this wide brown land. Have seen Peregrine Falcons pluck a feral pigeon from the air outside my front door in the inner west of Sydney. It's called nature.

[Myzomela]

Bad luck Spanna but good on you for trying.

There's nothing else I would have done differently if I was in your position. Sometimes the damage is just too severe.

Better luck with the next one!

[spanna]

That's a possibility also, but the area concerned is a small patch of remnant bush land surrounded by housing, after being cleared a number of years ago. I've been in the area quite a while and I haven't honestly seen or heard a predatory bird (besides a lone butcherbird, once) there. It is still a possibility, but given the number of cats I've seen running free in this area, the lack of predatory (or any other) birds, and the fact that just the other day I saw a cat stalking almost exactly where the bird was found... And hey, I've got no problems going and telling off irresponsible pet owners anyway last time I did was a very public broadcast on facebook, the responses of which have scared the neighbours into locking up their cats when they aren't home during the day!

Thanks for that myzo, made the other half much happier with that, and myself too to be honest!