Sick/Injured, Dying Mourning Dove (1 Viewer)

[TriBabe2009]

I came home from work and found this situation and do not have many options. We have a number of Mourning Doves, Ring-Necked Doves, Quail, and various song birds in our yard every morning and evening, as we feed and water them on a regular basis.

When I got home about 20 minutes ago, my husband pointed out a Mourning Dove sitting on the ground in the middle of a cactus garden. Just like a ball of feathers with half closed eyes, that didn't seem to want to move. I put on some gloves and picked the dove up to look it over. It has labored breathing because of a huge growth on its neck, below its beak, and what appears to be a small amount of blood in its mouth. Where I live, there is no vet emergency closer than about 80-100 miles in one direction. You are pretty much s**t out of luck after the local vet closes and animal control closes for the day. I didn't want to leave it on the ground as living in a desert, there are going to be crawlies coming out soon... Most certainly I cannot see this poor little guy being covered in ants. They are notorious in the desert when something is dead or dying.

All I could think to do right now is put it in a small, clean box, and set it up on to a table where nothing can get at it for now. It looks in pretty bad shape. I just didn't know what else to do... |=(|

Lori

 

[David in NC]

Sad, but there may be nothing you can do. Birds (as well as most animals) have a great ability to pop back and it could end up being okay later in the morning (?)

Making it comfortable might be the best bet...some wisdom suggests leaving them alone but that is hard to do.

It could be sick or injured..it could have a broken neck from a window strike, or been attacked by a raptor. Also, don't kick yourself too bad about not being close to a vet-many will not take wild birds or animals anyway. Our animal control would event respond or take it if you brought it to them.

Sorry for your pain over this little bird...been there myself.