It looks similar to the pied ringneck dove



But I don't really know much about birds and species and such at all, so I dunno. But s/he is really pretty.

Thanks for the replies!  Hmm, it does look like that pic Apopli, but it's missing the "ring"... it's certainly possible though.

No... it doesn't have similar punctures on the opposing side.  What makes me think it's caused by a cat is because it has long shallow scratches on its sides under it's wings that look very much (in my experience) like cat scratches.  I can't imagine this bird being in such good shape after being chomped by a dog!  Although now my sister just pointed out that it could have been a racoon... who knows!  I gave it a thorough examination and I think I foind all the wounds.

Our local Wildlife Clinic has been closed down ( I had just started volunteering there too! *wah*) and the other closest one is waaaay too far away for me without a car.  Also I know that if they looked at it and said "Nope, that's a domestic dove" they would send me right out the door.  I think my best bet at this point is to call a vet and hope they will see it.  I know it's probably going to need antibiotics... definately if it's an animal bite of some sort.  There is always the chance that I can just take it to school (I'm in the vet tech program) and maybe one of my teachers (vets) will know what to do/have the right meds on hand.

Oh the poor baby, those certainly are teeth marks! There could have been numerous small creatures which caused that though, several of the smaller none canine animals can leave scratch marks which look similar to a cat.
Either way, poor little one, so pretty!

I got some advice from a pigeon and dove forum.  They recommended clavamox at "up to 125mg/kg TID orally up to three weeks."  They said baytril works too but clavamox is a broader spectrum and better for more serious infections?  The bird is still doing well this morning so I don't think it's a very serious infection yet, so I'll just see what meds I can get and hope for the best.

Also, I have no scale and the only local bird vet won't see it because it might be wild, so I will need to get meds myself and dose it myself.  Do you know how much a pigeon weighs?  I held it and just by feel I doubt it's over a pound, but it's definately got some meat on it's bones.

I checked the wings and they look good to me.

Thanks for the advice!

Or do you know anyone who works in an office type setting.  Most offices have small postal scales.

Since he's most likely wild you should call a wildlife rehab and let them take care of him. Their equipped to give him the best and most accurate care possible.

Here's a list of Wildlife rehabs in PA!

Thanks for the info.

I couldn't get any meds today.  One vet turned me down, the other never got back to me (though I called a few times).  I think they weren't sure wether they wanted to just sell me meds for a wild animal... sigh.  And yeah, I do see now that it's pretty obvious it's wild.  Should have thought of the leg band!

Good news though: the two worst wounds (ones in pic) are looking much better.  They are not so "wet" looking and they look like they are closing up.  Pink, but no bleeding and no discharge I can see.  Will try to get pics, but birdie is getting very perky and not so sure if he wants to be within sight of me anymore!  Guess that's a good sign too?  He feels like he has good temperature and he's very alert and bright eyed, walking around and looking at his surroundings.

At the moment the bird is in a plastic bin with a screen on top.  Didn't think of flies, but I'm glad now I used the bin!

As for taking it to a rehabber... the main clinic near us is closed until further notice.  There's another one close enough to get to, but when I called today I got a recording saying they were closed for admissions today.  And admissions are by appointment only.  So I'll keep calling.

I really hope I can do something for this bird.. it's doing so well at the moment, I'd feel terrible if it took a turn for the worse because I can't get it meds or proper care.  Everyone I talked to today has lectured me that I should take it to the Widlife Clinic, and they act like I'm lying when I say it's been closed all summer!  I should know, I was volunteering there!  Sheesh... ugh sorry I'm just getting a bit frustrated.

I have been wing slapped...and it does really hurt. Those wings are powerful things lol....

I have no suggestion about what to do to make him/her eat. I just want to say GREAT job in taking care of this guy/girl!!!

Thanks for that advice Eileen.  I have done that on a baby straling before, I just wasn't sure if I could do it with a pigeon.

The dose is .22 cc 2x a day.  Is that too much?  I doubt *all* of it got down it's throat the way I was doing it, but if I'm going to be putting it directly into it's throat I don't want to overdose it.

More good news!  I just checked on it and it's eaten a whole lot of seed!  I'm so glad!   And it really likes the rock I gave it.  It spends all it's time sitting there looking around.  Too cute!  This is reminding me of the good old days when I had reaised a baby pigeon, who grew up nice and healthy (and followed me around everywhere!), but unfortunately got eaten by a hawk a few months later.

Aww, cute pigeon!  Love the little white spot.

Yes, the vet said .22 cc every 12 hours (on the label as well), but then again, this is not an avian vet and she was probably going on her experience with cats and dogs.  But since you've obviously done this plenty of times before, I will switch to once a day, and lower the dose a bit.  I already gave it the second dose for today... do you think that will hurt it?