I'm fostering a fledgling mourning dove (Neko) who was rescued in a neglect/abuse seizure case last week. My wife and I visited the seized pigeons (there were five pigeons and this one mourning dove) with the intent of adopting one of the pigeons as a companion for our rescue king, Southy, but ended up taking home Neko as a foster. We decided to take Neko home instead of one of the other pigeons because Neko seemed to be most in need of 24/7 care, and we may end up adopting her.
I have an appointment for Neko to see an avian vet in a few days, but meanwhile, I wanted to post pictures of her to see if anyone has any advice/suggestions re how to make sure I'm doing right by her. (Sorry the pics aren't that detailed.) As you can see, she has scalping, her wings do not lay symmetrically on her back, and several of her toes are severely bent. I don't have any information about her history, but I'm guessing that she was mauled/attacked by something. Neko is eating, drinking, and pooping fine, and her poops look very good. She's very alert, and she's able to fly, as well as walk without hobbling, despite the fact that her toes are so twisted. I know that animals can be very stoic, so I'm concerned that I'm missing something. Also, I don't see any signs of ectoparasites, but of course, all these are superficial observations, and the vet will be able to give her a full checkup. But I wanted to see if anyone has any additional expert advice. My main concerns are her wings and feet. Also, any sense of how old she might be? I'm assuming she's a fledgling. She's dropped two or three down feathers and one smaller primary (?) flight feather in the past day, so she may also be molting. There are feathers missing from her nape/neck, which I'm guessing may be a result of being attacked.
Thanks,
Dan

My first thought is that you need to get her on a good vitamin...one that has calcium and vitanin D.
Whar does her poop look like?
Do you know if she has ever been in the sun?

Missing feathers can also be a symptom of canker. Given she has been through a traumatic life so far, it wouldn't surprise me if she does have canker as stress can cause a full blown case.

Hi Dan,

I've also got a scalped bird with a wing injury today!
Can't be sure, but from the photos it looks as though Neko's injuries are half-healed already. If there's no swelling, no evidence of wounds or infection, I'd just go with the canker med, as Charis recommended, and wait until she sees the vet.
If she can fly, the droopy wing is probably just strained, and will, with time, be fine. Do feel her wings gently between forefinger and thumb and see if the droopy wing feels swollen in comparison with the other. If it does, moisten the feathers a bit so you can 'comb' them back from the swelling and take a picture of it for us to see.
Curled toes are usually a result of tendon/muscle damage in the lower half of the leg, rather than an injury to the toes themselves -- unless they broke and mended slightly out of place. If it's the former, as the tissue heals the toes will regain their range of movements, but there's no time scale for this. It's good that Neko can walk, it sounds like she's already on the mend.

Best wishes! Keep us posted.

Thank you, Charis and Teresa, for your helpful responses.
It's frustrating that I don't have any history on Neko--to know, for example, if she's ever had any sunlight--but from those I've talked to who do rescue, such is typical: on the defensive and feeling "attacked" for what they perceive as good deeds, hoarders are often loathe to give any information that would actually help the animals that they hoard. I'm going to assume Neko needs the extra vitamin D and calcium, and go from there. Her poops look "classic," or at least classic insofar as I understand what a healthy pigeon poop looks like: dark, almost pine green with a dollop of white. I tried without success to open her beak to see if there are any signs of canker, but I think I was stressing her out too much, so gave up. But what I did see--a glimpse--looked like a dark and cheese-less throat.
I'm cautiously optimistic based on the comments you gave about her wings and feet, Teresa, and I appreciate the info on the physiology and possible damage/source of injury.
I'll keep everyone updated!
All best,
Dan

About poops, this is very good poop:
(Well, not good to eat, of course, , but you know what I mean...)
From what you said, hers sounds good too, and healthy colour varies between dark green and dark brown, depending on diet.

I can understand what you say about the defensiveness of poor carers and the difficulty to get answers. I think you are absolutely right in assuming she didn't have enough sunlight, and going with the calcium and vitamin D.

Thanks, Teresa!
Those are certainly handsome poops, and yes, this is what Neko's looks like. She's eating Dr. Harrison pellets, which probably explains the more-dark-green-than-brown color.
I hope your own little rescue's doing well!

Bless you and your wife for taking in Neko and caring for her, Dan.
She's a pretty little dove.

We will definitely be looking forward to updates.

Now those are great looking poops, Teresa.

LOL! I love when people here appreciate poops with the words " handsome", "great looking" poops.


Neko is beautiful. Bless The Dan! :

Just last night, I was checking my pij's poop by kind of smearing it with q-tip just to make sure there are no aliens (worms) on it. I love looking at it (Teresa, I agree we're not only crazy but pervs too). Then I thought if my boyfriend would see me doing that, I'm sure he would throw up to death:Yuk: -Boyfriend

-Me

"What happens in vegas, stays in vegas"