Rustyangel Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I was taking my son to cubs tonight and as I was driving I spotted a small white bird huddled up under a car. After dropping him off at the scout hut I went back to see if it was still there and it was. It managed to walk a few paces but was clearly not right and allowed me to pick it up without even a flap of the wings. I've looked it over and can see no visible injury. I have put her in a cat box indoors with food and water and covered it over so its nice and dark in there. Is there anything else I should be doing? Obviously I am being super-diligent about washing hands etc before I go near my chickens as the dove no doubt carries lice and mites. Any advice would be appreciated! Our local wild animal centre opens in the morning and if the dove is no better we will take her there. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 White doves usually belong somewhere. Could there be a dovecote in a garden nearby? Sounds quite tame if it allowed you to pick it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 I've been researching on the internet and I think she may even be a young white pigeon rather than a dove, but I'm not certain. The way the bird was huddled under a car suggested that there was something wrong and I didn't want to leave it for the local foxes. I don't think it is tame so much as scared/ shocked/ poorly. Fingers crossed he or she will be brighter by morning. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Somebody has doves on here, cannot remember her name Oh and hello Rustyangel I used to live in Purley and work in Croydon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Hi Paola I live in Selsdon and work in central Croydon. Nice to see anothe local on here! Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Somebody has doves on here, cannot remember her name It 's someone in Scotland perhaps ANH can remember who, there are pictures of their dovecote and vegetables and I think a son that works on the rigs?? Strange the things we remember- just can't think of the name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Somebody has doves on here, cannot remember her name I think the forum member with doves is Jillus. Same thing happened to me a while ago. I found what I thought was a dove huddled up in a shop doorway, it looked exactly like a dove. I took it home, put it in a box and gave it food. I phone the vet and he put me in touch with the local dove lady She came round, but told me it was a white pigeon, she still took it though as she said it was pretty and just shocked not harmed in any way. Maybe worth phoning your vet and see if there is a dove lady near you. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I think the forum member with doves is Jillus. Thats her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Well done Tessa the Duchess - I recognise the name now- Am still sure she lives in Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Yes, you're right, she lives in Fife, just over the Firth of Forth from me. She's been on recently posting about her dove laying an egg - hopefully she'll be back on soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Thanks folks, I will try to find her and drop her a pm. Debs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Sorry to have missed this thread last night , I was too engrossed in Silent Witness and then straight to bed. Basically white pigeons and white doves are one and the same, but if it was easuily handled then it sounds like it came from a dovecote somwhere. As I explained in a pm often if doves/pigeons are chased by a hawk for example they will end up a long way from home, tired and dehdrated and will be grateful for a safe refuge for the night, it may be that this morning it will be able to fly away home. I have recently lost two and hope that this may have been what happened to them rather than the hawk actually eating them. Somewhere there could be a very anxious dove keeper waiting for an old favourite to come home. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hiya Jillus Thank you for your PM and your post. The bird was still sitting quietly in the box this morning and it did not look as if it had touched the food and water I had left it. I managed to get a little water into it by gently opening its beak and dripping it in using a syringe without a needle. We did take it out into the garden this morning and sat it on the lawn to see if it wanted to fly - it could not take off so it's clearly not right. My hubby is off work today (luckily) so is going to take it to a local wildlife hospital. I think I will call the local vets too in case they get enquiries from someone who may have lost a dove. I'm really grateful for everyones' help. Debs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Any update on the dove? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 Hi there My hubby took the bird to the wildlife hospital and they took it in. They agreed there were no obvious signs of injury and said they would check it over thoroughly and take care of it until it is strong enough to be released. The hospital takes in so many birds they were unable to keep us updated with individual progress but there is an open day in a couple of weeks so will go down there with the family and hope to find out then how she/ he is getting on. Thank you so much for your help. Debs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Glad that's a (nearly) happy ending, do let us know if you get any update on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 That's good news . Well done for saving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Tarpey Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Thats great news hopefully they can release it soon Give us all the details of the open day You did the right thing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Well done you for taking her home and fingers crossed she comes through whatever trauma it is she has suffered. Hoepfully she is strong, having got this far. Oh and I thought I would joing in the Croydon appreciation thread ( if there can ever be such a thing!) ... I used to live in Sanderstead and worked all over Croydon and the surrounding areas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyangel Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 The wildlife hospital was London Wildcare Trust and their website gives details of the open day if anyone nearby feels like a visit: http://www.londonwildcaretrust.co.uk./ I will keep eveyone updated if I find anything out. Not sure about the Croydon appreciation Redfrock lol! It has a bad reputation nowadays with a lot of crime involving young people, though here on the outskirts is actually quite lovely.....close enough to town if we need anything and right on top of the countryside too -best of both worlds! Strangely enough I hope to go to Sanderstead tonight for the excellent fireworks display they have annually. Have a great weekend. Debs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
