Does anyone know anything about wild pigeons?

[Ailaena]

Dh saw a pigeon sitting in our front yard and laid down a tantrum until I caught it.

She appears to have a messed up wing, but flew a little bit when I came near. There was no blood, and no awkward body positions. In all honesty, she would probably have not lasted the day in this 110+ degree weather on the rocks without food/water. I now have her in an old bird cage, in a quiet part of the house with some parakeet/canary food and water. Will a wild pigeon even recognize birdseed as food?

At any rate, I am positive that we are doing it more damage in the long run because she had a mate, who was sitting with her when I caught her, and is now patiently waiting outside for her return. Even though I keep telling him to let her rest, DH will not stop touching her, trying to make her eat and drink! What do you think will be the outcome of this? I think she is/was probably fairly close to death to let a human come near her like this. Does this mean if she lives we now have a pigeon as a pet?? I kind of thought we would let her go soon...

I would appreciate any bit of any kind of advice, even if to tell me that dh is totally in the right (there is a first time for everything...:tongue_smilie:).


Thank you!

[Jean in Newcastle]

I googled "pigeon food" and this is what I found on the first listing. I would think pigeon food would be similar whether they are wild or not.

"In different pet stores, you can buy special premixed sacks. A typical premixed sack weigh 50 pounds and consists of Canadian field peas, popcorn, milo, hard wheat, maple peas, oat groats, red millet, white millet, canary grass seeds, rice, and hemp seed."

Pigeons in parks often eat bread crumbs and even popped popcorn (though that probably isn't so good for them!).:lurk5:

Could you take it to a vet to be checked out? I'd be worried that a wild bird might be harboring disease.