Pigeon drama. What to do?

[JustWing]

While I was in the bedroom, I heard a loud "Bang!" as something hit the window. I looked outside and initially saw nothing. However, my neighbour, who was outside at the time, informed me that a pigeon had flown straight into the window and fallen. I went downstairs and found the bird in my garden. This happened last night, and the bird is still alive but has most likely broken its spine. I provided some shade and water, but it hasn't drunk any. I'm unsure what to do. The bird will probably die, but dehydration might hasten its death. I cannot bring myself to kill it to ease its suffering. 😱🤧

Any advice?

I think of you bring it to a vet, they would put it out of its misery.

Your local vet will take it.

Oh poor pigeon and you.

I'd feel the same way!

Do you know anyone who's a bit more farmer/old fashioned who'd put it out of its misery for you?

My grandad was always good like that as grew up very rurally so snapping a birds neck wasn't hard for him if it stopped them suffering.

The thing is that the vets will be open Monday

Exactly, for the first time in my life, I thought that knowing how to kill is a useful skill 🤦🏼‍♀️

I live in London suburbs and no farmers here

You take it to an emergency out of hours vet. All vets are obliged to relieve suffering, either via pain medication or euthanasia, whichever is appropriate.

YouTube taught me how to humanely kill a chicken. It's really not hard.

Please post in this group for help.

www.facebook.com/groups/PigeonProtection/?ref=share

Failing that. An emergency vet will be open. As will Vets 4 Pets.

I'm amazed it wasn't taken by a cat or fox overnight. If you can't kill it yourself then I would find an emergency vet that's open and take it there. That may well cost a fair bit though.

All vets have to provide a 24 hr number and service so just call your local one or search local wildlife rescue.
TBH I can’t believe you’ve left it suffering this long when a simple search online would give you various options. Poor thing.
And don’t presume it’ll be put down, I’ve rehabilitated two injured pigeons.

Where are you . There will be emergency vets, shelters or wildlife rescue, maybe we can help find somewhere.

I would also put it in a large cardboard box with ventilation holes in the top, with a bowl of water, and put it somewhere quiet and cool until you work out what you want to do. You can pick it up with an old towel and wrap it round its wings gently so it doesn't flap (if it's able to) when you pick it up.

Kill it. It’s not nice for you but much better for it.

Wring its neck if you can, or put a cloth under it and another cloth over it, laying it flat and hit its head hard and decisively on the head with a spade. Put both cloths and the poor bird in the bin.

I know it’s shitty for you but ending the suffering and fear quickly is the kindest thing. The outcome is the same for the poor pigeon regardless

A fox will have it.

Secateurs or a prompt neck snap. You can't leave it suffering.

Don’t leave it for a fox or a cat

But I am worried that if I may completely kill it...

Have you got a spade or a shovel? Quick, hard downward pressure on the neck should finish it off? My super kind DF would have gently wrung its neck to end its suffering, but I couldn’t face doing it with my bare hands.

So what's the alternative, you can't just leave it till Monday. Are there no wildlife rescue centres nearby.

Agree with PP suggestion of covering with a cloth and applying shovel or spade to the neck. Is there somebody else you can ask to do it for you, if you can’t bring yourself to?

No advice but I hate this, it’s so awful. It’s happened twice with our bedroom window : once the bird died instantly and nature took care of it overnight, the second time the bird was just stunned and eventually flew off a few hours later. You’re in the horrible limbo in between.

@JustWing

Definitely try these people.

Not sure if same group but here's some info too. They have an emergency phone number I think.

www.londonwildlifeprotection.org/found-an-animal/pigeons-advice/

If you think it's got severe spinal damage from what you can see, and the fact that it hasn't been able to move for many hours now, then really it is going to die whatever happens. Even a seriously dedicated pigeon rescue isn't going to be able to keep a quadriplegic pigeon alive for long and it would have no quality of life.

So, make it comfortable and safe for the moment, and then either find a way to kill it yourself or take it to someone who can kindly euthanise it for you.

Local vets. My dad is a vet and they frequently take in wildlife.