I Miss My Bird, but Thank You Wild Bird Fund

I was afraid the Wild Bird Fund people were going to tell me my bird was fine and I should have left him where he was so his mother could find him. That didn’t turn out to be the case. I’m not happy that he is not fine, but I did the right thing and he’s going to get great care now.

He’s about 14 weeks old I learned, and the vet showed me the xrays where he has a broken leg AND a broken wing. Poor little guy. I could see she was debating what to do. I’d been told they’d splint him up and I’d have to take him home, but she ultimately said, “He needs to stay here. We can manage his pain and feed him, he needs about a week.” Then I have to take him home and get him ready to be released, except she said they may just turn him over to the group that does the re-homing, I’m supposed to call back in a week to find out. She said the wing was broken in a spot where he’d be able to fly again.

I miss him already, and I may never see him again. This is Finney demonstrating why I never could have kept him anyway, it’s for the best. Thank you Wild Bird Fund for taking him and helping him.

My Cat Watching a Bird

Tales of Pigeon Rescue Woe

I’m so upset. I didn’t do well when I tried to feed my pigeon a second time last night, I doubt I got two in him. I think I only managed to traumatize the poor thing. I was feeling all confident about my first attempt, which didn’t go too badly, but he was all, “Okay, I know what you’re up to now. I’ll be ready for you this time,” and he evaded me better. I’m not even going to try this morning, although I did feed him water. I’m hoping when I take him to the Wild Bird Fund they’ll be able to teach me to do better.

I also haven’t been exercising Finney because I’ve been dealing with this bird, and I think I wasted the one laser treatment I got for him by not exercising him. UGH.

Plus, I didn’t write yesterday and I doubt I will be able to today, so yeah.

A picture I took of a storm coming in the other night. Stormy, me, my mood, get it? Haha. Sob.

Storm coming into Manhattan

Rescued Pigeon Update

The NYC Pigeon Rescue people never got my first message, because they called back very quickly after I called them a second time. I now have an appointment tomorrow at the Wild Bird Fund to set his leg. The problem is, I have to take him home and rehabilitate him myself. They don’t have any room right now. Mother of god.

Both the Pigeon Rescue guy and the Wild Bird Fund guy carefully explained how to soften puppy chow and hand feed him, which I just tried.

My pants are now soaking in the sink in some Woolite, the feathers and soggy puppy chow is mostly cleaned up, and when I have more money I’ll have to call the rug cleaning guy, but I think I managed to get 3 or 4 pieces inside him! Unfortunately the guy said to shoot for 10, so I will have to try again in a couple of hours. I learned a lot though, I think I will do better.

The pigeon rescue guy asked me some questions about about my pigeon’s appearance (notice I said “my”) and he told me he’s actually very young. That’s puppy chow in the back. I thought I’d leave a few pieces for him in case he developed a taste for it.

Rescue Pigeon After Feeding

Rescued Pigeon is Standing

For the first time the pigeon is up on two feet. I tried to get a good look at his legs, and for as much as I could see they looked okay, but I couldn’t see all of the legs and what do I know anyway? When I moved another box to one side of the box he’s in he pecked at the side of the box. He is without question more alert and active.

I still haven’t heard from the pigeon rescue organization and I’m feeling anxious. I have to take Buddy to the vet this afternoon, and schedule Finney’s laser treatment. It’s all animal care all the time here.

Anxiously Waiting to Hear from Pigeon Rescue Group

It’s still early, so I don’t expect them to call yet, but I hope they call soon. I’ve grown attached to my pigeon and I want him to make it. If he’s eating he’s not eating much. I saw him take pecks yesterday evening so I left him alone to eat without my large lurking presence, but it looks like most of the food is still there this morning.

When I picked him up to give him water though, his resistance definitely felt stronger, so that’s gotta be good. He barely moved yesterday. He also drank a lot of it so at least he’s getting hydrated. Oh please please call pigeon rescuers.

These wonderful musicians were playing in Union Square when I went to get bird food. I couldn’t stop to listen of course.

Old Timey Musicians in Union Square