This beautiful Eurasian Collared Dove was extremely close to
death when it was brought to the Wildlife Education and
Rehabilitation Center on Halloween.
This beautiful Eurasian Collared Dove was extremely close to death when it was brought to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center on Halloween. It had been attacked by a feral cat, which inflicted deep wounds on the bird’s breast and wings, and all of its tail feathers were violently pulled out.
W.E.R.C. treated the dove with antibiotics and pain medication for 2 weeks. The bird was very weak and lethargic for the first few days and wouldn’t eat or perch. Within a week, the wounds began to heal and the dove developed a good appetite for birdseed. After 2 weeks, tiny tail feathers could be seen sprouting from the rump. In another week, the tail had grown out half-way and the dove was transferred to an outdoor aviary for flight exercise. By December 6, the tail was fully grown, there were no signs of wounds, and the bird was pleasantly plump. It was a clear morning when the dove was joyfully released at a local backyard where a flock of Collared and Mourning Doves (and other species) congregate daily at the feeders and where cats are not a part of the scene.
Â
