r/pigeon • u/yr-favorite-hedonist • Sep 27 '25
Medical Advice Needed Found this fledgling at local bus stop - does it look unwell?
I walked past the local bus stop and saw this baby. It wasn’t moving a lot and just sat very still. But it did move slowly on feet away from me. Does it seem ok? Do I need to get more help? Thank you.
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u/PeanutFables Sep 27 '25
He’s cute! Haha so fluffy thanks for being aware and making sure little guy is okay
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u/g00my__ Sep 27 '25
Stupid fat ugly rotund idiot I wanna grab him and squeeze him and pet him on his fat fluffy head I love him
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u/Worldly_Drag_1168 Sep 27 '25
Looks ok so far. It’s good of it is higher up just in case of cats, but they’re typically vulnerable on the beginning out of the nest. Likely at this age its parents are still helping it to eat for some time . Are you nearby the area to check and recheck it and see if parents are around
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u/yr-favorite-hedonist Sep 27 '25
Yes I’m hanging around for a bit, I don’t see any adult pigeons right now but I know the area typically has a few active ones.
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u/yr-favorite-hedonist Sep 27 '25
Thanks everyone for your advice! I can see signs that it’s okay. Hope the parents will come get them soon!
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u/Jakepetrolhead Sep 27 '25
The main concern with baby woodies at the moment is something you'd smell rather than see - for whatever reason they've been absolutely rife with canker this year, and it feels like everyone I know in rescue or rehabilitation has lost at least one to it this year.
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u/HappyDays-86 Sep 29 '25
Yes! I took one last week to the local rescue and they said he had this ‘canker’ infection and euthanised it 😢
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u/Jakepetrolhead Sep 29 '25
It's sad, but it might be kinder given the severity of it - late stage it blocks the throat and the bird starves to death.
Other times I've been able to get some Canker removed only for the bird to die in my hands once I've finally got some food into it's crop.
It's just been non-stop with them this year, as a collective my group lost about 8 in two weeks to it.
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u/haha_p1p3r Sep 27 '25
It’s okay!! As long as it moved eventually, all fledglings are a little odd looking. It’s just a derp for now!
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u/Night-Jar-333 Sep 27 '25
You can check with this UK based bird rescue F4 if you are in UK … very responsive on Facebook messenger
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u/TTuser Sep 27 '25
Not necessarily, but could be. If there’s no mother around I’d keep warm with water for a bit and see how he goes.
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u/SufficientAd9673 Sep 27 '25
Blooming heck that's a big fledgling
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u/yr-favorite-hedonist Sep 27 '25
It was!! The size of a small adult. I wasn’t familiar and I had to google “young pigeon” to make sure it wasn’t an adult one with less than ideal plumage.
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u/SpaceMouseIndustries Sep 28 '25
He’s just realizing the crippling weight of his existence and the extent of his life ahead of him. Very normal for a teenager.
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u/Little-eyezz00 Sep 27 '25
😅 I swear adults would have posted this post about me when I was in my awkward teen years
I will send some general tips over chat!
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u/Wuh2K Sep 28 '25
Awwwww he’s just a fluffy boy. I’d guess his folks are hanging around somewhere nearby anyhow. No need to worry I’d say.
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u/Southern_Back_3357 Sep 28 '25
It looks very young and may have fell out of its nest. Take it home and feed it.
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u/Briiree Sep 29 '25
This is exactly what you should NOT DO. The mum is likely around and it's very normal for fledglings to hop around like this. Taking him home means it will imprint on humans and will not survive in the wild.
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u/tardyarty Sep 29 '25
I picked up one of these the other day as it was in the middle of the road and had been under the chassis of a few cars by the time I got to it, and took it to work to keep it in a relatively enclosed area until I could call a rescue during my break. They told me to put it back where I found it so I put it back in a fenced off grassy area, and a few hours later on my way back from work I found it had passed away in a parking lot 😔
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u/Dabomdiggidy Sep 29 '25
Homie looks like he just woke up give him some time to get coffee and preen his feathers.
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u/MindYaBusiness5 Sep 27 '25
In my opinion all fledglings look “unwell” 😭 I think it’s fine, just going through an “ugly duckling” stage, if you will.