Spencer’s Story

July 7, 2024 by Elizabeth

Spencer on 6/4, two weeks after surgery

Warning: Graphic wound photo included

Palomacy received this message on 5/20/24: “We received a pretty injured racing pigeon on 5/16. The finder ended up tracing the leg band on their own and got into contact with the owner. The owner got into contact with us and made an appointment to get the bird back on 5/18 but never came. I’m assuming they likely aren’t going to redeem though we sent them one final message. Can you let us know if you’re able to rescue this bird? I attached the pic and videos from intake, it unfortunately has a pretty significant injury to right pectoral area but is eating/drinking/defecating normally.”

Spencer, as we named him, had been used for pigeon racing and caught by a hawk. Miraculously lucky, despite the deep, gaping laceration across his chest from keel to shoulder, he escaped the predator and was rescued alive by a Good Samaritan. They took him to the city’s open door shelter where he was examined and started on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. The shelter researched his cryptic racing band and contacted the racer to claim him but Spencer’s luck held out and he never showed up. I picked him up the same day we were contacted and took him to Medical Center for Birds the following day. Spencer was hospitalized for a couple of days to have his wound surgically cleaned and closed and start his recovery.

Spencer on the way to the vet

Spencer’s wound was trying to heal on its own

Spencer post surgery & stitched

Spencer ready for discharge

Spencer was such a good patient. He reluctantly cooperated with his twice a day oral meds and gracefully tolerated a month of cage rest while his wound mended. He healed up beautifully. When Spencer transitioned outside to the foster aviary, I was surprised to see how spooky and skittish he really was after how calmly he had acted throughout his recuperation.

Pigeons are amazing good sports. Even when they are in pain, scared, anxious, they have remarkable composure. Even feral pigeons, when rescued right off the street, can be settled and calm. (They can also shift gears instantly to launch and escape if possible. Hold a rescued pigeon with both hands around their folded wings.)

Spencer camera shy in the aviary

Spencer healed and adoptable

Spencer has been remarkably lucky to defy death over and over. Now he is safe and ready for the ultimate good fortune- a forever home. Palomacy needs so many adopters! And fosters. And donors, too! (Spencer’s vet bill is $1,465.) Every day we are asked to rescue birds that have no other options and we need more help. We just can’t keep up with volume of lost, stray, injured, and displaced pigeons and doves. Every new foster and adopter and donation helps Palomacy to keep saying yes to birds like Spencer. Without this work we are doing together, Spencer, and so many like him, would be dead.

Thank you for all that you do to help us to save the lives of these innocent souls.

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