Guest Post by Heather Hohlowski
In the evening of August 28, Palomacy received an email from a woman named Amillia in Southern California asking for advice on helping a rescued pigeon:
A family member witnessed a homeless gentleman attempting to stomp on this bird, and the head was definitely involved in the trauma. We initially thought that a wing was broken. Now that I’ve been able to examine him visually, both wings are held against the body, although one is angled slightly higher than the other. I’ve not attempted to extend, manipulate, splint, or otherwise examine the wing.
My primary concern is his head and neck. His neck/head carriage is noticeably abnormal and appears bent or tilted. There is significant swelling/bruising around one eye, and blood was seen around that eye earlier. The feathers beneath his beak also appear dark and had apparently been wet, possibly from blood or other fluid.
Despite the injuries, she noted that she was alert and responsive.
Palomacy responded to the email about an hour later, giving Amillia the contact information for Avian Underdogs and Moose’s Flock, two wonderful pigeon rescues in Southern California, as well as suggesting where to buy pigeon feed. We also suggested she join the Palomacy Help Group page on Facebook and post about the bird asking for local help.
Enter Avian Underdogs!
The very next morning, Terry at Avian Underdogs responded that they could take the pigeon. The next step was to find someone who could help with transport from Bakersfield to Lake Forest — a 150-mile trip. Meanwhile, the pigeon had made it through the night and was much more responsive in the morning. She was drinking and eating well and had even started vocalizing — quiet but high-pitched squeaking sounds. Because she started cooing, Amillia decided to call her “Coocoo”. And — because she was rescued from the street — “La Rue” was added for a little flair. Coocoo had developed an affection for Amillia’s mother, enjoying head scratches and sitting happily on her lap. Although Coocoo had not had any seizures overnight and no active bleeding or obvious respiratory distress had been noticed, her abnormal head/neck posture remained.
By the next day, Coocoo was drinking voluntarily and eating, and her head and neck posture had improved significantly. She was now actively using her neck to look around and follow what’s happening around her. On top of that, her right eye swelling had resolved!
Palomacy and Avian Underdogs had been seeking transportation assistance from Bakersfield to Lake Forest and by September 1, Terry had found someone. A generous woman named Elizabeth was willing to make the more-than-300-mile round-trip on September 12 — and Amillia was happy to continue caring for her until then.
The Next Chapter
Coocoo La Rue is now a resident of Avian Underdogs, meeting many new friends.
We are so grateful to Amillia for caring enough about a pigeon to intervene — to rescue Coocoo from being assaulted and then to bring her home, create a safe enclosure for her to rest and recover in, to research ways to help, to buy pigeon feed, and to continue caring for Coocoo until arrangements could be made to get her to a sanctuary 150 miles away. This is what all lost domestic pigeons deserve — someone to see their plight and step in instead of looking away. We continue to work towards the day when pigeons and all animals get the same kind of attention as dogs and cats — our more familiar companions.
Thank you, Terry and Avian Underdogs for your tireless efforts on behalf of Coocoo La Rue and all pigeons. We are grateful to you for coordinating this rescue with Amillia.
