Found a pigeon fledgling - what to do

PoGee

kimwp said:

Oh my goodness what a lovely ending and what dedication from you - lucky fledgling that he popped into your garden. How did his mum feed him in the dog pen, did she drop things through the gaps?

It's an open at the top large dog pen so the mum was able to fly in and feed safely. The fledgling could sense its parents before I saw them and would screech to be fed. Mum shoved her beak down the fledgling's throat and fed it 'milk' . I think the milk came from a pouch just under the mum's beak. It looked a bit violent but it needed being fed naturally because otherwise it wouldn't have gained weight. I've now a greater fondness for pigeons/birds.

kimwp

PoGee said:

kimwp said:

Oh my goodness what a lovely ending and what dedication from you - lucky fledgling that he popped into your garden. How did his mum feed him in the dog pen, did she drop things through the gaps?

It's an open at the top large dog pen so the mum was able to fly in and feed safely. The fledgling could sense its parents before I saw them and would screech to be fed. Mum shoved her beak down the fledgling's throat and fed it 'milk' . I think the milk came from a pouch just under the mum's beak. It looked a bit violent but it needed being fed naturally because otherwise it wouldn't have gained weight. I've now a greater fondness for pigeons/birds.

Thank you for sharing, definitely a lucky bird for finding you. I looked after a pigeon that flew into a wall when I was about six. Unfortunately it didn't make it, but I've continued to care about them. I think the pouch is called a crop, I'm v envious that you saw the mum feeding the baby, it sounds fascinating!

PoGee

Yes,  she'd be there without fail. I spend many hrs standing outside (because of cats) waiting for her to arrive. I just felt the pigeon formula, DIY formula+ peas weren't enough so her feeding him, gave me peace of mind.