What Is It With Me And Pigeons?

[Tilly2]

Another thing to worry about!

During the last two weeks there have been four feral pigeons in my garden which have been unwell. They start off just sitting around looking lost, then they try to fly and can't. They end up dragging themselves about with their wings.
The workmen, last week, took two of them home as one of them kept pigeons. Alas, they both died. The third one just keeled over behind a shrub. That ended up in the bin and now there's another one. I have caught it and put it in a pet carrier and will take it to the local vet to be put down, later this afternoon.

Does anyone know if there is some kind of virus affecting feral pigeons, or may someone be poisoning them?

Any ideas?

[shoota]

Herewith the story:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/14005/p/20464/165159.aspx

[ladybirder]

Thanks Tilly. Before I clear my feeders and bath I'll give RSPB a bell and ask if they've had any reports in this area. My feeders have been very busy recently and the squirrels are drinking from the birdbath as well as the birds. Not sure if that's a good thing or not!

[Tilly2]

Thanks for posting that Shoota. I read that earlier.
I am definitely removing all feeders and bird baths tomorrow.

[Tilly2]

Ps, Lovely French Bulldog there, Shoots. Thanks.

[shoota]

I'm trying to be teachers pet....

[EDDIE51]

Pigeons are officially recognised as a 'Pest species'
http://www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org/html/pigeon-pest-control-and-the-law.html
There is a need to cull them not feed them!
Spread of disease to endangered native species such as Greenfinch is a major factor in the need to control numbers of feral pigeons.

[Tilly2]

It worked. xxx

[Tilly2]

My feral pigeons are special to me Eddie. They live under my solar panels. We also have seven doves which are rejects from a recently demolished dovecote. I love all my garden visitors.

They are very different from manky, tatty, town, feral pigeons.

[gness]

Well done indeed, Tilly......It's good that the vet will do this and report to the RSPB......and well done you too.......

It's important to monitor the spread of this disease.........x

[retrocop]

Probably too many Ford Ka owners. Media URL: https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrBTvgFNz1WTiEAXPxLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE0dTNxbGxqBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQVUszMV8xBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Ford+Ka+Pigeon+Advert&fr=yfp-t-903#id=4&vid=5085c55f57e78d8516517c1c3bdd5c3f&action=view
Description:

[retrocop]

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW_dY4c2-AA

[Cloverjo]

Tilly, I think you and the vet did a marvellous job. When my son was small, he found a poorly bird in the garden and wanted to take it to the vet. I said "no, it's a wild animal. These things happen to them. Just keep it comfortable." He put it in a box and kept it fed until it died. I can't imagine our local vet doing what yours did as a public service, or any service apart from making money.

[ladybirder]

Cloverjo I think you are doing most vets a dis-service here. Over the years I have taken many birds including an owl, and a wild rabbit to different vets and they have all without exception done what they could for the stricken victim. Each veterinary practice had a policy of treating wildlife for free.

[Tilly2]

Alas, another dead pigeon in the garden today.

This is getting serious .....:-(

[ladybirder]

Did you remove your feeders and water sources Tilly?

[Tilly2]

I have removed them today, LB. Very few birds in the garden today, except a Sparrowhawk, hanging on to the tree as it swayed.

No pigeons today.

I have sent a report to the RSPB headquaters about the birds. There is a link on the website for reporting diseased and dead birds.

[Psybbo]

Nearly missed this, well done Tilly and sorry you are upset.

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Sibs. x

[melv16]

I look on feral pigeons as food for birds of prey. Urban peregrines diet consists of 95% pigeon. Sparrowhawks dine on them as well.

[ladybirder]

Tilly I have had a look on the RSPB website and can't see any warnings about dying birds. Can you tell me under which heading it comes please.