What can I do for a wild pigeon with a leg problem and curled toes?

Make sure there is nothing caught around the toe that could be causing constriction, if so remove it. It looks like the claw could be infected so you would need to take the pigeon to the vet and clean the toe with chlorhexidine whilst administering antibiotics such as baytril or terramycin.

Thanks for reaching out. There are concerns the leg has become injured, either a sprain, dislocation or fracture. Even an injured toe can be painful enough to not allow weight bearing. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Removing perches and providing a soft towel on the bottom of the cage can give comfort. Ensure that food and water are within reach. If there continues to be blood on the toe, gently clean with a moistened warm water on a washcloth. Keep the environment clean to prevent standing in feces and contaminating any wounds. Good luck.

Splayed legs can sometimes be splinted together to help the leg grow back into a normal position, strengthen it, and help your bird start to perch and move around. It would be best to bring Piji into a vet so the leg can be examined for any injuries or other issues that might be causing it to be splayed, and splinting can get started if needed. Making sure your birds are also on a balanced diet is a good idea to help prevent any nutritional deficiencies during the growing process.

Thanks for reaching out about Pukki and including photos. There are multiple causes of acute loss of legs including: spinal trauma, metabolic concerns (liver, kidney), infectious diseases (circovirus, aspergillosis), and more. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. For now, remove perches and provide a soft towel on which to sit. Ensure that food and water are within reach. Continue to syringe feed if needed. Good luck.

Unfortunately, it would be hard to say without an exam. It's possible that she injured the leg, has an issue with poor nutrition if she's not leaving the nest to eat enough, or there is something else ongoing. Making sure she's eating and drinking, and checking the leg for injuries is a good first step. If you suspect an illness or problem, a vet visit is needed to treat it. Pigeon eggs should also hatch in about 20 days, so if it's been longer than that and not hatched, it is likely not viable and should be removed so that she can get back to eating and drinking normally.

When wild animals no longer try to escape from humans, it generally means they are very sick. You may go online to see if there is an Audubon society or a zoo that will accept wild birds for treatment. Try to keep it warm and in a safe location. Put trays of food and water nearby. Offer birdseed and some fresh fruits and greens. Keep in mind, birds are very fragile and it may not make it. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, I think it's quite amazing that you have cared so much for this pigeon. And, I can understand why you don't want euthanasia. If you have had the bird for 3 months after the wing broke, then the most painful part of the break is likely over. The bones and flesh can heal over time, but it's not likely that the wing will ever work normal, so the bird will not be able to fly. I can understand why the vets recommended euthanasia, because it would be a painful condition and the bird would not be able to fly again. However, if she is otherwise fine, then I think it is possible for you to keep her. You have to be committed to caring for this bird for the rest of its life though. It will never be able to go back to the wild. If you care for it, then you will need to feed her right and have a large cage for the bird to be happy. Otherwise, it's no life for a bird. If you cannot take care of the bird, or find someone to care for it, then I think it may be best to euthanize; otherwise the pigeon has no chance. This website has good information on caring for a pigeon: http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/1299.html These decisions are never easy and often there is not a clear right or wrong answer. In the end, you should do what you think is best for the bird.