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Wild pigeon: ill or injured ?

No, I haven't actually caught the bird, nor do I intend to. If I wasn't living in a college dorm, I would follow the guidelines of some pigeon rescue and rehabilitation groups. Anyway, I just need advise, and am wondering if there is anything that can be done, or someone who can be called.I live in Milwaukee, and by one of the places I regular, there is a pigeon is obviously ill. From what I've observed, watching from a distance, it cannot fly. When it walks around, it often stumbles and is very shakey. It wobbles its head from side to side. Often it just stops, leans back on its rump, and sits there with a fluffed up chest, head wobbling. Not normal at all. The tail feathers are somewhat frayed, but not terribly so. Wings are held close to the body. I know pigeons are considered pests, and nature should probably take its course. But can someone like animal control be contacted, or should I get in contact with a pro-pigeon group? This bird is at a location where an old lady feeds it (and other pigeons) every morning, but there is no water in the area that I know of, other than some leftover puddles from rain. The bird was first observed on Saturday, and I saw it this morning, same small area, still wobbling and stumbling... Wow ?, that does not sound good at all :( I did find a number for someone in Milwaukee on the Pigeon Talk forum, and I plan to give her a call. I am going to go see if the pigeon is still in the same location before I do. Hopefully no student or street person does something horrible to it while it is vulnerable, thankfully none have yet.

Public Comments

1. What the pigeon is displaying is Vertigo. It is just a symptom of most of the pigeon diseases. This bird is bound for death. Medicine doesn't help one when they get to this stage. The diseases that show this symptom are very contagious. Paramoxyvirus and Paratyphoid are just a couple of the diseases that cause a bird to have ''blind stumbles(vertigo) Neither disease is really curable. The first one is all but impossible to cure and the second one they are carriers the rest of their life and pass it on to the babies in the egg.
2. try "pigeon talk"site,there is section to get help for injured doves and pigeons in your area,or any humane society in your area may be able to help or give advice,try googling "pigeon rescue"for area you live in,you would be surprised at how many folks LIKE pigeons and care for sick and injured and orphaned birds,i hope this little guy get shelp he needs and god bless you for looking out for him!
3. You might call the local health dept. I don't know if this bird is on the watch list for bird flu but it could be? in our area health officals have asked it be reported if sick or dead birds are found with no outward sign of problems(like hit by car or animal related)