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Rock Pigeon (injured bird)
Columba livia
-27.5131, 153.047
Field Notes
Description:
I found this pigeon whilst working today. It was sitting quietly on the ground with its eyes closed, motionless, and it paid no attention to my close presence. It looked intact with no visible signs of injury, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't. Perhaps it was and old bird, or had it been poisoned? Who knows? I wouldn't put anything past certain people. Hawks have also killed pigeons in this exact location, but in this case there was no evidence of feathers. I scooped it up and placed it in a box, and made a detour to the nearest veterinary clinic. The vet accepted it gratefully and without hesitation. Most vets in this country will accept injured wildlife or lost animals and without charge. I called back later in the afternoon to see what the outcome was for the patient, and I was told it had a very bad eye injury and it had been euthanased. A sad outcome, but at least the bird didn't suffer any longer than it had to. My good deed for the day.
Habitat:
The Rock Pigeon is common in Australian cities and surrounding areas (much the same as in many other countries). This bird was found injured in a hospital car park.
Notes:
Dozens of vets on Brisbane's southside (and also Sydney's north shore) have had a visit from me at one stage or another with an injured animal, be it wild or domestic. My species list is long and varied. Animal cruelty is a heinous crime, but indifference to animal suffering is inhumane and unforgivable. I personally make an effort where and when possible to assist an animal in need, even if it's a simple matter of returning an animal to its owner or dropping it off to a shelter. Not to assist if I'm able would degrade my humanity, and the moments when I have failed play very heavily on my conscience. That just makes me try a bit harder and go (or drive) that extra mile. PS: Petrophassa, commonly known as the rock pigeons, is a small genus of doves native to Australia, and similar to bronzewing pigeons (Phaps species). It includes 2 species: Chestnut-quilled rock pigeon (Petrophassa rufipennis), and the White-quilled rock pigeon (Petrophassa albipennis). They are not closely related to the rock pigeon (Columba livia) which includes domestic and feral pigeons as well as being a wild species of Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
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