Pigeon age, UK (1 Viewer)

[htcdude]

Hi all (especially ChrisKten) :-D

Could someone please tell me the approximate age of this poor Wood-Pigeon I found outside my house today (Also how you can tell how old it is ).

I would guess maybe 5-6 weeks??



Thanks,

Nige

 

[ChrisKten]

Hi Nige, difficult to say, from egg to fledgling is about 6 weeks. I'd guess at a couple of months old, but it is just a guess.

With Pigeons, it's the size of the Cere (practically non-existent and pinkish in youngsters), and the bill shape (very long and ugly-looking), that stands out in youngsters. Wood Pigeons also change the plumage as they get to adult (white and purple patch on the neck etc), whereas Pigeons, apart from the Cere and bill, don't change much.

But I'm a long way from being an expert|=)|

 

[dram7]

It;s a squab. 4/5weeks old. Too young to fly properly so must have fallen out of the nest.

 

[ChrisKten]

It;s a squab. 4/5weeks old. Too young to fly properly so must have fallen out of the nest.

What tells you the age from the back of this bird? Lack of any pattern to the feathers? Tail feathers? When I see these, after they've fledged, they do have white fringes to the feathers and some white patches. Also they have pinkish breast feathers.

So is it the lack of any white in the feathers, the overall greyness, or something else that you are using to age this bird? Bear in mind that my eyesight isn't great, so you might see something that I can't|=)|

 

[htcdude]

Well at the moment it's in a cardboard box on a table on my decking in the back garden, I put in a fat ball and a bowl of water but I don't think it's touched it, therefore I doubt it's eaten or drunk anything since this morning at least :-(

 

[ChrisKten]

If it's a Squab, Nige, I'm not sure what you should feed it. But have a read here:

http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformatio...niques/ukbhusbindtech/hr_av_pigeons_doves.htm

 

[htcdude]

Looking at it now, I very much doubt it'll survive the night :-(

Thanks for the info though guys

 

[ChrisKten]

Looking at it now, I very much doubt it'll survive the night :-(
[...]

You never know, maybe it's not a Feral Pigeon (they really are survivors), but I've seen Pigeons survive when I was sure that they wouldn't.

Let us know what happens one way or another.

 

[htcdude]

Well it died just before I went to bed last night :-(

 

[ChrisKten]

Well it died just before I went to bed last night :-(

Sorry to hear that, Nige; sometimes there's just nothing you can do. At least you brought it inside where it was safe, so it died in peace; so well done for trying.

 

[dram7]

What tells you the age from the back of this bird? Lack of any pattern to the feathers? Tail feathers? When I see these, after they've fledged, they do have white fringes to the feathers and some white patches. Also they have pinkish breast feathers.

So is it the lack of any white in the feathers, the overall greyness, or something else that you are using to age this bird? Bear in mind that my eyesight isn't great, so you might see something that I can't|=)|

I have force fed pigeons before by opening the beak & feeding grain. Have done so with wood pigeons of this age. Unfortunately although they take to it and end up opening their beaks to be fed, they will not domesticate and as soon as strong enough they take off.You ask how I can tell age & species. Primarily the beak. White does not appear till later but can tell mostly by experience. In this case maybe too far gone to save or maybe injured.

 

[nickderry]

Unfortunately although they take to it and end up opening their beaks to be fed, they will not domesticate and as soon as strong enough they take off..

surely you mean fortunately!