I Performed A Bird Wildlife Rescue!

What an amazing experience! The universe called on us yesterday and, thanks to our little Sophie, we were able to make a huge difference in the life of a New York City pigeon. I have to share the story of performing a real life bird wildlife rescue, and the avian rehabilitation center we discovered because of it.

My husband and I were walking the dogs in the late afternoon. It’s bitter cold here in New York right now, so neither the pups nor we want to be out for very long, nor is it safe to be. We were about to head down 25th street to our apartment, when Sophie, our little willful Podengo, got another idea. She pulled her daddy to continue on the avenue to 24th street, which also flanks our building. So, of course, because it’s Sophie’s world and we’re all just living in it (Jasper’s trainer calls her HRH S for Her Royal Highness, Sophie), off we went down 24th!

About halfway down, I noticed a purple towel bunched again the Whole Foods building and something huddled underneath. My interest was piqued, so I walked over, bent down and, to my sad surprise, there lay a downed pigeon, dying.

At first, I thought it was already dead, but I stared at it for a moment and saw it take a shallow breath. With the 20-something degree temps at the time, that bird would soon be a goner. That was all it took for me.

I convinced my husband to help me, and we took the dogs home. We found a suitable box, punched holes and ran back to the spot, not knowing if we’d be too late. With the bird still barely breathing, Stanley scooped the little guy or girl up and put it into the box we’d lined with a cozy towel. It tried weakly to flap a bit – a good sign – and we saw, at that time, that it’s head was partially scalped and it had a bloody gash. What happened to this poor bird, I have no idea.

My first thought was to take him to Blue Pearl Veterinary, a 24-hour emergency and veterinary hospital on 55th Street, where they would probably euthanize the bird. During the taxi ride up there, I held the box on my lap, talking to the bird softly, hoping it was warming up.

When we arrived at Blue Pearl, the ER doc came up. She was a kind, young woman who looked at the pigeon and asked if we’d ever heard of the Wild Bird Fund. She explained it was a rehabilitation facility a bit further up the west side. They would nurse the bird back to health, if possible, she said, and then set it free. At Blue Pearl, all they could offer was euthanizing; at the Fund, it would give the bird another option.

I really liked that, so off we went to continue our journey with our bird. Here’s where it gets really interesting…

Walking into the Wild Bird Fund is like stepping into another world, far away from New York City. With beautiful wild birds free on perches in the window, the small waiting area looked very inviting. Parading around on the tile floor was a beautiful specimen, a bird that had been rehabbed and seemed quite happy. A young woman was shooting a school film, capturing the bird’s dance and our intake process with our pigeon.

He greeted us at the door!

I loved that someone came out immediately to see to the bird. Eugene took him into an adjoining room and invited us in. As he inspected the bird they’d named Jody (yes, there is now a New York City pigeon named after me!), we saw how he might not be in as bad a shape as we’d thought. He’d been scalped, most likely from an accident, and did have that gash on his head. But, both eyes were intact and functioning, his weight was good and Eugene said he was well hydrated. We must’ve gotten to him not too long after he’d gone down.

And, Jody became very feisty! As Eugene examined him with gentle hands, Jody started flapping about. We got very excited by this. Eugene seemed to feel he had a good chance for survival!!

I wish I had pictures of Jody beforehand, but I was so focused on helping him, I didn’t think to take any! I asked the Fund to take some, but they’re too busy tending to all of the birds they’re helping.

The Dwarf Mallards

I do have pics of some of the other stunning birds the Fund, which keeps its doors open through donations, has rescued and are rehabbing now. I got these while they were tending to Jody. There was Rosanna the Goose; Ruta the Gull who’d been found covered in oil and two dwarf Mallards a volunteer was taking care of. She’d learned about and decided to volunteer at the Wild Bird Fund after rescuing a sparrow.

Rosanna the Goose

Who knew there was such a place as this in the middle of New York City! Please check them out at www.WildBirdFund.org and donate! We don’t often think about birds in the wild needing care. But, like any animal, when they need help, us humans have to advocate for them.

Regarding Jody, I emailed them the next day. It seems Jody isn’t feeling too well. She had her surgery and they’ve put her on antibiotics. It’s touch and go. Please pray for Jody’s recovery. I’ll keep you posted.

Have you ever performed a hands on rescue? Pls tell me about it and how it felt.