LittlePie

Hello, Many thanks, It's a feral pigeon - 2 black bands on its back. It's just grey, black and white; but its mother had a bright green neck. The chick fluff stands up like cactus spines through the feathers, fairly regular over the head and body. Unfortunately, my daughter's taken the family camera on holiday. It seems to be feeding quite well today. It's in a double-length guinea pig run, in a thick solid wooden box, made for the last pigeon. Plenty of space to walk, but there's not enough room to fly. Will it be able to fly before the chick-fluff disappears? Or should I wait for the chick-fluff to disappear? How long do mother pigeon's look after their off-spring? And do all chicks remain in a flock with the mother? Many thanks, C

I came across a baby pigeon yesterday afternoon, with chick-fluff visible through its feathers (head, neck and body). It could flutter a bit, but was unable to fly. It's mother was nearby. Difficult decision, but as its a fox-prone area, I've taken it home, and put in in a cage outside. It seems to be able to peck at bird seed and bread, although the mother was feeding it from her throat. > When will it be able to fly? > If I take it back to where I found it, will its mother/flock recognise it? My only previous experience is with an adult pigeon, with a broken wing. We nursed it back to full strength, until it suddenly flew off. And then remained in the vicinity of the garden for a couple of years, flying down to be fed each day. I have no experience of young birds. Any advice would be welcome.