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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ChrisKten" data-source="post: 1282952" data-attributes="member: 69033">Seeing as there are between 20 and 50 Pigeons in my garden I can pass on what my experience is (if you search my posts you'll see there are many other species in my garden also). I have learned a few things about sick birds, but I am not an expert:If you can see a bird is sick and approach it without it flying off, it is usually too late. Birds hide their illness from other birds in the flock, because they will be picked on, or chased off if it gets noticed.Do not take sick Feral Pigeons to the RSPCA. The RSPCA cannot release any bird or animal back into the wild if it is classed as vermin. Feral Pigeons are classed as vermin, incidentally, so are Squirrels (I don't class any animal as vermin). Take the bird to a local vet, the oath they take requires them to help sick animals. Or if possible a wildlife rescue centre. Now the important bit, wear gloves if you pick it up. Some diseases can be passed from Pigeons to humans. None are fatal, but they are unpleasant. Thoroughly wash your hands afterwards as well. The hardest decision you have to make is whether to intervene, or leave it be. I have taken 5 Pigeons to the Vets, all were beyond help, and were put to sleep. I have buried 2 Pigeons that died in my garden. I have taken Blackbirds to the Vet that were attacked by Cats, none survived. Sorry, this is about Pigeons. Here's a story to make it even harder to decide what to do:One morning I saw a pool of blood by the back step, it was dripping down from the roof of the porch. On the porch was one of the Pigeons I see, and feed, regularly. She flew down when I went outside, and I saw that she had injured one of her legs. She couldn't put any weight on it, and used one of her wings to support herself. I fed her by hand so I could look closer at her injury. All I could see was a gash, but the bleeding had stopped. Then something spooked her and she flew off. I wondered if I caught her next time I saw her, if the shock would kill her. Anyway, she came back the next morning, and looked slightly better. So I decided to do nothing, except favour her, and feed her by hand. I won't write the whole story as I'll bore you. This was last year, she is now a very fit and healthy Pigeon, no limp, in fact no sign at all that she ever had an injury. Oh, and she's had at least one chick.So sometimes doing nothing might be the right thing to do.If anyone who reads this sees anything wrong in the advice I've given, please correct it. I would be happy to learn,<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> in fact it's one of the reasons I joined this forum.</blockquote>

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