Just having a normal one. Stuck in traffic with a pigeon in my car.
I was on my way to return a library book when I noticed a nice old man using a painter's tray to gently nudge a discombobulated bird out of the road, so I pulled over and offered to pick it up and take it to a wildlife rehabber.
Rehabber is closed for the day, though. So now there's a really messed up pigeon on my porch.
Hi, I dont mean to bother you but if you have any questions about pigeon care or need any help, @theramseyloft is probably one of the best experts you can talk to. They list their phone number on their blog too if you need urgent advice. They may or may not be able to even diagnose what is wrong with the bird.
Good luck and thanks for caring about pigeons!!
Thank you! I've contacted them and they have been really helpful. They are, however, in Georgia, which is several hours away from me.
Can we use the power of social media to coordinate a pigeon handoff across the south Atlantic? Send me a message with your discord tag if you're located somewhere between Maryland and Georgia and you're interested in taking a pigeon on a road trip.
You've probably already found this out but most wildlife rehabbers won't take pigeons (at least where I am) because they're not actually wild animals. I eventually just had to take the one we found to a vet. And then I had a pet pigeon for a while. So. Be prepared.
Oh, I'm aware! I used to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center. My local rehabbers DO take pigeons, but only to rehabilitate for release, and I have my doubts that this pidge will be a good candidate for release. I think they might have vision and flight problems, and as a potentially disabled feral domesticated animal, they would be be better off in a home.
This bird wants to live, though! They've been eating and drinking on their own, and looking less wobbly in general. The head tilt is improved, which I don't usually see happen so quickly, at least not without a lot of anti-inflammatories. As a city pigeon, this bird is also already pretty acclimated to the presence of humans. So I feel optimistic.
We have some people interested in driving them to The Ramsey Loft, but there's still a need for a Virginia and/or North Carolina driver! Please message me if you're able to join the pigeon caravan this weekend (today is 4/28/21).
Tumblr, your love for pigeons knows no bounds. I think we have enough drivers to get this gentle creature to the experts! Thank you for all the support, I will keep you updated about the journey. Fingers crossed for Friday!
Today's the day! The pigeon is leaving Maryland!
Stay tuned for the great pigeon relay!
Pigeon has been handed off in Richmond! I saw them preen and try to eat at certain points when I was stopped while driving. Goodbye and godspeed, pigeon!
Pigeon Aquired! In front of this wild little oddity shop no less. Now @spookymodernjazz and I are headed back to NC to pass this little bird of to the next person. Wish us luck!
The passenger has been passed!! Home stretch leggo!!!
~3 hours to the final destination! Pray for us lmao
They're in the home stretch!
After a very long journey, Passenger has arrived safe and sound.
They are a sad mess...
If @draconym had not taken them in, they would have died with in hours.
Guys, there is 0 muscle on this bird.
Their keel could spread butter.
They barely have the muscle to remain upright.
The eye facing the camera is blind due to head trauma.
The opposite wing was broken at the wrist who even knows how long ago.
There is a freshly scabbed laceration in their crop.
And their fecal was FILLED with Strongyloides eggs!
Y’all, this bird is so thin I can’t safely dip them for lice yet because the shock of getting wet might kill them outright...
Their depth perception is garbage, but they are eating, and the poo they pooed shows that they’ve been kept well hydrated by their rescue team.
Passenger may never recover their flight or sight in that eye, but once the worms are cleared out and they put on some weight, they should entirely recover their balance.
We’ll try some physical therapy for the bad wing once they aren’t quite so fragile.
God bless every single one of you wonderful strangers who came together because you cared enough about a pigeon to want them to have a chance to live and find a loving home.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
We did it, team! Thank you, @theramseyloft!
