Piji survivor

[truthisouthere]

Recent resident, white stock dove, found sitting on the ground in residential garden at 9pm one evening Oct' 2014; weak, wasted, and unable to eat. Classic symptoms of PMV (no balance, mild tremors, thirsty, unable to fly without crashing, food comes flying out of crop and unable to swallow food, tries but stumbles and falls backward all the time).

All birds with pmv need one2one care for at least 6 weeks, they must have quietness and warmth, not something a rescue centre can offer...often the neurological effects of the pmv stay with them for the rest of their lives. However, this one has now recovered with very little ill effects, apart from the odd runny poo when he is excited. He is a darling, sweet boy and after speaking to a few pigeon people we have deduced he is probably an unloved wedding release pigeon (poorly trained and cared for in this instance, although many are responsibly cared for) as he was hanging around with his flock all summer at a residential dwelling, the flock have now disappeared one by one, some poorly, some picked off by resident hawks. There are just 3 left. So just letting him go where I found him when the weather warms up was sadly just not an option, were it that simple!! He is a homing pigeon and he would need many weeks of training to return home, if I were to let him go now he would be lost and would last a few days at best. I have not bonded with him, mainly because with all birds rehab and release is the preferred outcome, and these birds can get attached quite strongly to their carer, however, he is young and should bond with other birds well when he goes to his forever home.

After many months of trying he now has a forever home (yaay!) lined up for the spring where he will be safe, be able to fully stretch his wings, and be with other white (and coloured) pigeons for the rest of his life.

Proudly showing off his 'man ruffle'.

[angieh]

Fantastic news about Piji's new home Truth .... he'd probably be a deceased piji if it weren't for you and your excellent knowledge and care. Gaia's blessings on Piji and on you too.

[fecto's mum]

Lovely news about Piji. We have pigeons and we get ringed racers coming to our loft for a rest and they never leave. We recently had one pass away, her ring said she was born in 1994, she had been with us about 12 years. We are the 'go to' people for anyone who finds an injured bird. OH is very good with them and we have 'hospital hutches' where they can recover. We had a jackdaw, Magwitch, who still comes back for his 'sandwich' Very glad Piji has found a forever home.

[farthing]

Gosh, I was about to offer a home if nowhere else could be found. We have about 30 white doves at the sanctuary and just collected one from the vet after having a broken leg amputated. It was attacked by a predator ( not sure what) and severely injured but fought through all injuries so we decided to give him a fighting chance and have the broken leg removed.
We collected it tonight and hopefully it will recover, we've called it Valiant, as it's so spirited ( beats up away with its wings and survived some awful injuries!). I'm not sure if it will cope with 'full' release it will need a bit more containment and protection yet.
It is sure a character it really deserves a chance ( as does every animal, but this one has really fought to survive!)

[Velvet]

Fab news x