Elliot & Buster

On July 25th, a woman named Julisa rescued two baby king pigeons that her neighbor found standing on a curb in Redwood City, CA. While MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue is alerted to many baby kings found stranded and helpless in the world after having been "set free" like this, this is our first video of them standing there, awaiting their fate. (Courtesy of Julisa)

Though completely inexperienced with bird rescue and new to king pigeons, Julisa recognized how completely vulnerable the babies were and waited with them for 90 minutes until an Animal Control Officer from Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) arrived to pick them up. Once they went to the shelter, she contacted staff there to stay updated on their status. One (seen on the curb in the video and who I have since named Buster) came in very healthy and strong (though young, helpless and completely lacking in the ability to survive in the wild). The other, who I named Elliot, arrived very sick and weak and, despite the shelter's efforts, declined further rather than gain strength as would have been expected.

Mariela is a staff member at PHS who works very hard to care for a whole department of "Smalls" and "Exotics" (including small mammals, reptiles, birds, fowl and hermit crabs at last check) and to find adopters for these too often overlooked shelter residents. She and the vet staff did their best to nurture and strengthen Elliot but he grew weaker and even more emaciated. On August 8th, he was scheduled to be euthanized at 3 pm. Even though she knew MickaCoo was full up, Mariela, as she always does, went the extra mile and contacted me and, even though we were full up, I said yes to taking in both baby kings. (Buster was thriving and not facing euthanasia but Elliot needed the comfort and support of his baby pigeon friend.) I said yes to these babies to support Mariela in the extraordinary effort she is making to improve the survival and adoption rates for domestic pigeons & doves in the shelter. MickaCoo cannot save all these birds alone. We need the help of shelter staff like Mariela.

I was stuck at my desk and unable to go get them but Mariela said, No problem, I'll bring them on my lunch hour. And she did.

Mariela and sick baby king pigeon Elliot

Healthy baby Buster watching over Elliot

Elliot, in front, was so weak and emaciated that I told Mariela this was likely hospice care

Elliot lived through the night and basked in the morning sun

Buster was full of energy and I gave him some recreational time outside in the aviary

Weak baby Elliot sat with me and watched

Buster rejoined his friend in the afternoon and continued his mentoring and encouragement

Another sunny morning

Elliot arrived so weak and emaciated that initially I hand-fed only watery formula. Once I was confident in his ability to process that, I also started hand feeding thawed frozen peas, corn and carrots. Only a few at a time and every hour during the day.

Elliot hung on though he remained terribly weak

Buster continued to thrive

Here, on 8/13, an only slightly stronger Elliot watches his friend Buster hang out in the aviary

To me, it looked like Elliot was thinking, Someday...

Elliot was well able to digest the thawed peas and corn and so I again promoted him to a heartier diet- this time a cookie-dough consistency of high-protein Harrison's pellets (mixed with water and a little honey)

Though his improvement has been very gradual, Elliot is improving and this little adventure down from the top of his cage was a welcome sign of it

On 8/14, Elliot & Buster had a very special visitor- Julisa, the woman who rescued them from their helpless plight on a street curb

Though he still isn't self-feeding, Elliot thrilled us by at least beaking some pigeon food

Buster and his friend Elliot

Buster keeping company with foster doves Kishu & Miso

Hanging out together in the afternoon

Snuggled up together to go to sleep for the night

A big thrill on 8/16! Elliot had gained 80 grams, up to 340 from the deathly 260 from when he arrived (compared to Buster's weight of 450 grams)

Buster & Elliot hanging out with doves Kishu & Miso

Elliot

Another big thrill- on 8/18 Elliot was strong enough to fly laterally for the first time (rather than just down)

Proud Elliot

Julisa and Rob joined me and Valiant at an outreach at Andy's (100% Rescue) Pet Shop. They may foster Elliot & Buster.

Elliot hanging out with me

Elliot & Buster on a walkabout

This is very healthy, expressive and wonderful Buster. He has been a most important friend to Elliot every step of the way.

Elliot feeling well enough to do some recreational flapping!

Elliot takes flight

Elliot helping me write this post

Please help MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue. We need volunteers, adopters and donors. Please help spread the word. Join us on Facebook. Donate. Contact us to get involved.

Thank you.

8/21/12 UPDATE:

I'm thrilled to report that, for the first time since she (I think) was rescued, Elliot felt well enough to take a bath. (Pigeons love to bathe!) While she still looks a little rough around the edges, especially compared to perfect Buster, she's already a little fluffier. Video below.