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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be worried about this pigeon?

22 replies

alizee · 16/05/2011 16:06

a bit of a backstory. I was out shopping with my husband yesterday and we were sat down next to the library. this pigeon was trying to follow another pigeon when he got hit by a car. didn't know what happened initially but we just saw lots of feathers and this poor pigeon crawling back to shelter under a box.. we picked him up and had a quick look at him, his wing was not broken but just a bit bruised and lots of feathers missing. we tried to feed him but i think he was in shock. we live very close so we decided to take him home until he's well enough to fly. He's currently living in the bath (in a box lined with newspapers. we fed him bits of bread and bird food and he's doing really well, even managed to fly a little bit and he's perched on the side of the box. his wing seems to be a lot better even if it's still a bruised.

Now, i wouldn't have an issue with keeping him until he's well enough to fly but i just got a phonecall from the landlord and he's coming around tomorrow to fix a wall socket. we're not allowed to have animals so the pige will have to go. I can't help but feeling a bit sorry for him and wondering if he's going to be okay. I know we were never going to actually keep him but i've got a soft spot for animals and i hate to see animals in pain, i'd probably be the same if it was a rat.

well. i know i'm being silly but i guess i just needed to get it off my chest!

OP posts:
SarahStratton · 16/05/2011 16:09

Can't you stick him in a cupboard for an hour or so? Or wrap his box up like a present?

squeakytoy · 16/05/2011 16:11

I think he will probably be fine to let free again now! take him to a local park and see how he gets on.

NadiaWadia · 16/05/2011 16:14

Is there a local wildlife hospital/charity? Try google or yellow pages.

We did this when a baby pigeon fell out of the nest and was calling out for food on the shed roof for 24 hours (we waited this time to see if the mother would come to it).

The lady who ran the local wildlife centre was happy to take him. We drove the pigeon round to her in a cardboard box (and gave her a donation).

Could you not hide away the pigeon whilst the landlord visits? Or surely if its only temporary, he wouldn't make a fuss.

Vallhala · 16/05/2011 16:15

If he can fly then release him. If not then ring the good folk at PICAS, the UK's only HUMANE pigeon control advisory service as they have contacts with rescue/sanctuary and with willing idiots volunteers. (I'm probably on their phone list myself). Come to that, where in the country are you? Let's see if we can find you someone local to help.

Vallhala · 16/05/2011 16:17

PS - be wary of vets' advice. SOME will do no more than put an injured bird to sleep or call in the RSPCA, who will frequently do the same. Ensure any vet you consult works with rescue and sanctuaries and would be willing to treat and ensure the rehabilitation of the pigeon by handing him on to a rescuer BEFORE handing him over.

The last pigeon we had was 14 days old when we saved him... and hand tame by the time he went into a sanctuary!

Original poster
alizee · 16/05/2011 16:29

we live in devon - somewhat rural area and the only reason we didn't take him to the vets was because we knew they'd probably put him down but didn't want to leave him injured and unable to fly on the street. he's still struggling a little bit but he still manages to fly out of the flipping box and into the bath lol. we don't really have any means of transport other than public transport so taking him anywhere far away would be quite a big inconvenience. i'm thinking perhaps keep him hidden during the visit and continue to feed him until he flies out of the bath into the flat! then he'd definitely be okay to be released. We live across the street from a little park and the big park is literally 2 minutes away so that wouldn't be a problem

OP posts:
Vallhala · 16/05/2011 16:58

Too far for me to help, being the other side of the country, but do call PICAS if you need them and ask them if they know of a local rescue volunteer who can come out to you and take him to rescue or a sanctuary.

complexnumber · 16/05/2011 17:12

ffs get rid of it, if I was your landlord I would be well brassed off to find you were keeping a feral pigeon in my house.

If you can't kill it yourself, then give it to someone who can, you have stated that you think it's in pain. Or leave it in the park for Mother Nature to decide.

(Genuine question: You always refer to the bird as a male, how the hell do you sex a pigeon? Seriously! Do birds have willies?)

Notsohotanymore · 16/05/2011 17:24

complexnumber Kill it yourself? Are you being serious? You sick idiot.

HalfPastWine · 16/05/2011 17:25

Well done OP for taking the time and energy to look after the poor thing. If only more people were like you. :)

idratherbeboarding · 16/05/2011 17:45

Complexnumber - run along - you are a prize idiot.

OP - if only there were more people in the world like you.

ginger55 · 16/05/2011 17:48

Shake him out a little then when your Landlord arrives do some gentle dusting..

complexnumber · 16/05/2011 17:51

Notsohotanymore :complexnumber Kill it yourself? Are you being serious? You sick idiot.

I suppose I sort of expected this reaction.

However, I can assure you I a neither sick (actually, I do have a bit of a tummy bug at the moment...), nor an idiot.

Why not "kill it yourself": I have done this in the past to animals in painful distress. Admitedly this was when I was living in Botswana, I've not been in a similar situation since leaving. I certainly didn't enjoy doing this, in fact I cried each time. However I know it was the best thing to do to stop the suffering of a FERAL creature and I would do it again.

I shan't be losing any sleep over the death of a pigeon.

LordOfTheFlies · 16/05/2011 17:57

comlexnumber - I've clubbed various animals to death put various animals out of their misery. A couple of birds that the cat had maimed and left wounded and mice that we'd poisoned( humane traps not working and had to rid rid of the little buggers)
I'm vegetarian -surprised- and have been for 30 years. I did it to quickly end its misery .
PS they are rats with wings

complexnumber · 16/05/2011 18:17

Ooh! LotF, you are such a 'sick/prize idiot' and I really think you should 'run along'!

Original poster
alizee · 16/05/2011 19:11

complexnumber i referred to it as a him because i'm not british - english is not my native language and it comes to me more naturally when i'm not thinking about it than calling it "it". you can tell the sex of pigeon from the distance between it's pelvic bones, they don't have willies.
i appreciate your point of view but if i wanted to see it dead i would have left it where it was. i wouldn't kill an injured kitten or dog or any other animal so i won't kill a pigeon.

Anyways, IT can't fly properly yet so MIL suggested she takes care of it as she has much more appropriate means to do it and we will ring PICAS tomorrow for some advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
alizee · 16/05/2011 19:13

sorry, i meant its not it's.

OP posts:
LordOfTheFlies · 16/05/2011 19:18

Why I am sick? Because I am humane enough to do the decent thing.For all of us who have cats what do you do when your moggy brings you a pressiestill flapping
Pop it in a pretty boxie and sprinkle it with fairy dust. I am probably more of an 'animal lover' than most of you, but I'm not sentimental and that extends to putting an injured animal out of its pain.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 16/05/2011 19:39

I'm glad you've found a solution, but it's not as if this pigeon will be perched on a parrot stand while you're teaching him to say 'pretty polly' when the landlord calls.

I'd be delighted if a tenant showed such concern for an injured creature as tenants who care about such things are usually equally caring about the property they live in.

As for those who maintain that pigeons are 'rats with wings'; pigeons are birds, not mammals. And, for the record, a large number of pigeons have been decorated for gallantry which is an achievement far beyond the reach of ignorant human churls.

complexnumber · 16/05/2011 19:49

" ...a large number of pigeons have been decorated for gallantry... "

Possibly the funniest post I have read! Grin

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 16/05/2011 20:41

When you've finished chortling, complex take a look at www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDickin_Medal&rct=j&q=pigeon%20decorated%20for%20gallantry&ei=FnvRTZ2eMtKo8APk7pCMDg&usg=AFQjCNEp2g0S3Dmo4Hngz6vQGb5U_rY2gg&cad=

And while you're at it, why not look up the definition of 'gallantry' as it's clearly a concept that is unknown to you and your ilk.

complexnumber · 16/05/2011 21:05

I never doubted that such an award existed, I just think it hilarious that 32 pigeons showed 'conspicuous gallantry'.

Is there such a thing as a cowardly pigeon?

(Whilst bearing that in mind, please don't forget that 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were excecuted for 'cowardice' in WW1. www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world_war_one_executions.htm)

And I did look up a definition of 'gallantry' : 'courteous attention to a lady'

I've always admired that in a pigeon.

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallantry

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