Edward the pigeon

Last Friday afternoon I went into town to check on Matilda, the one-footed pigeon. I do worry about her but she seems to be managing ok. I’m sure I could find her a permanent home in an aviary if she was really struggling but I think she prefers her freedom. When I arrived I spotted a pigeon alone, on the ground, all fluffed up in a tiny corner of dryness where all around was pouring rain and an Artic wind. I threw seeds on the ground and the rest of the flock descended while the fluffed-up bird began squeaking like a baby, hoping to be fed. While he had no remaining yellow feathers I could tell he was just a baby still. A storm was forecast for last weekend so I scooped him up and took him home. You can’t tell by looking at a bird how thin they may be because the feathers hide it but this one, I could feel, was emaciated. I warmed him up and fed him some defrosted peas when we got home which he enjoyed. Here’s how he looked that first night. By Wednesday he was looking much brighter…