Why Is A Pigeon Not Moving?
Otherwise known as rock doves, you will usually find pigeons moving around, flying from one place to another, and searching for food. They are generally very active and will remain mobile.
So, when they suddenly get stationary, you may wonder, why is a pigeon not moving? A pigeon will sit and not usually move when it is sick. The lack of motion is not a good sign, even if the birds are not ill. It can also indicate that the pigeon is injured and not finding the strength to stay mobile.
Understanding the potential causes behind why the pigeon is not moving can help you determine the best course of action. And that is exactly what you will get by reading through.
Read more about pigeon habits:
What Does It Mean If a Pigeon Is Not Moving?
Pigeons are not birds that will sit around in one spot for a prolonged time. Unless they are on their nests, they will fly around, play with each other, or keep on searching for more food.
So, when a pigeon is not moving, it is generally not a piece of good news. Here are all the possible reasons why the bird is not moving:
1. The Pigeon Is Sick
One of the primary reasons why the pigeon might stop moving is sickness. It might be fighting a disease or an infection. And when they are ill, they will find it hard to stay active all the time.
2. The Bird Is Injured
Sudden immobility can also mean that the bird is injured. It might have broken its wings or its legs after getting into a fight with other birds. And after the injury, the bird will take its time to regain its strength.
3. The Bird Is in Shock
When pigeons sit in one spot for a good amount of time, it can be a response to a shock. Maybe it has just gone through a traumatic event. And it is taking its time to get its mind right by staying in one spot and not doing anything for a while.
4. The Pigeon Is Tired
Pigeons can face exhaustion after flying for a long period in the summer heat. And even if the bird is healthy and agile, it will find the need to take a break and catch its breath.
Even so, the pigeon will not sit in one spot for more than a few hours. If it is taking rest for exhaustion, it will generally take a couple of minutes of break from flying and moving around.
How Do You Know Why The Pigeon Is Not Moving?
So, you need to look for a couple of signs in order to understand the reason behind the sudden immobility of the pigeon. For example:
1. Drooping or Elevated Wings
When the pigeons have an injury on their wings, they will either raise it or allow it to droop. And if they are sitting in place by elevating or drooping their wings, you can be sure they are injured.
2. Puffing, Panting, or Showing Other Breathing Difficulty Signs
Is the pigeon puffing, wheezing, or breathing abnormally? This could mean one of two things. First, the pigeon has just taken a long flight and is exhausted. Second, the bird has a breathing problem or an underlying health issue.
3. Unusual Posture
If the pigeon is just resting, it will not sit around with an unusual posture. Instead, it will have a steady posture, keeping the heads held up or squatting, which will tell that there is nothing to worry about. Pigeons can also rest by leaning on one side.
However, if the bird is sitting with their heads down or finding it hard to stay balanced, it tells that the pigeon is ill.
4. Sitting with Half-Closed Eyes
Keeping the eyes half-closed or squinting is a clear sign of illness for the pigeons. Healthy pigeons will always stay alert, even when taking a break to catch their breath.
5. Roosting Somewhere Unexpected
Pigeons are very selective when it comes to picking a spot for nesting and resting. They will mostly land on flat surfaces. So, when you see a pigeon roosting in an unexpected place, you can consider it to be sick.
We have covered an in-depth article on “Pigeon Habits“; if interested, you can check this article here.
What to Do When You Find a Pigeon Not Moving?
When you find an immobile pigeon, you can do a couple of things to make them pick up its pace again. Those are:
1. Check for Injuries and Take It to a Vet
Before anything else, see whether the bird is injured. Look for signs, such as fresh wounds and drooping or elevated wings. If you can confirm that it is injured, take it to a veterinarian.
However, if taking it to a veterinarian is not viable for you, try to transport it to a safe place. The weak pigeon will be a target for predators. And if you don’t move it from an open place, it might become a meal for a hawk.
2. See Whether It Is Sick and Take It to a Pigeon Expert
Observe the pigeon for some amount of time. See whether it moves around after taking a little break. If not, look for signs that can tell whether it is sick. And after confirming, try to take it to a veterinarian or nearby pigeon expert.
3. Provide It with Some Food and Water
If you can ensure that the pigeon is not injured or ill, you can provide it with food and water. That will help the bird pick up its strength and move again. However, don’t try to get too close. A healthy pigeon will always stay alert, and it might move away.
Wrapping Up
To wrap up, finding a pigeon that is not moving can be concerning. It would be pretty natural to wonder why the pigeon is not moving. And as you know by now, pigeons can sit for a while when they are tired or need to catch a breath.
However, the bird can undoubtedly be injured or ill. In such cases, you need to assess the signs and try to conclude the matter. And if you know that it is sick or needs help, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Anyway, that was the end of our discussion for the day. We hope that you found answers to all the queries that you had regarding the matter. And we would highly appreciate it if you connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Information Source:
- Pethelpful.com/wildlife/Common-Pigeon-Injuries-and-How-To-Help-Our-Feathered-Friends
- Community.rspb.org.uk/chat/f/gear-guide/205360/wood-pigeon-not-moving-from-garden
- Massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/birds/helping-injured-birds
Image Credit: Canva.com/photos
