Izzy - Host of Animal Planet For Dummies

First of all, let me clarify that the nest is really, really high and we weren’t able to see any birds until just the other day. Also, they didn’t make any noise until today. So, there was no real way to find out how old these birds really were… until today.

Remember, the cats were praying – actually watching and praying – for hours. (Real prayer warriors these cats!) So today, I thought I heard a distress cry from the front porch residents. Sure enough, I went outside to find a young pigeon on the ground with several cats forming a welcoming committee. This was no brand new hatchling. This was a sizeable bird. Apparently, pigeons are fairly quiet the first 20 days or so.

I decided to intervene while Victoria squealed and leapt circles around me. Vicki calmed down enough to fetch me an old towel and I used it to pick up the bird and place it back atop the post. He stepped off the towel and returned to his nest. I couldn’t help but notice that his fledgling companion had a terrible back-of-the-head wound.

Now the cats gathered around the post for intercession. Within a half-hour, I heard a flutter of wings, a cry of distress, and returned outside to find the young bird walking away from a enthralled Tommy Boy who was beholding his prayer answered right before his eyes. “Sorry Tommy,” I sighed and Vicki handed me the towel.

Up the ladder again and the bird is reunited with his home. The cats were escorted indoors.

Maybe 15 minutes later and the baby bird cries like it’s right outside the front door. It is! And now, he had a peck wound on the back of his head. Apparently, these birds are being pushed out of the nest. For a moment, I’m frustrated. Why are these pigeon parents so insistent? It’s obvious there are predators all over the place? Then I think of what it’s like to live with a human who’s almost ready to fly the coop and I understand.

What to do? Option #1) We let nature take its course (that’s what the cats are voting). Option #2) We can put the bird up again (and again) each time hoping for a different result. Option #3) We house the bird for a few days.

We chose option #3. This thrills Animal Planet fan Victoria who is immediately assigned the task of finding out how to care for pigeons. She hits the Internet and soon has background information, a plan, and a list of what we need ASAP. I busy myself fashioning a makeshift cage. Within an hour we’ve been to Wal-Mart, Victoria has notified her BFFs about this exciting new development, and our little tenant has a name – Izzy.

We’re not sure if Izzy is masculine or feminine, but have decided the name works either way. First of all, it’s a family name. – remember Grandma Isadore? …and Grampa Isawindow? Secondly, it sounds like a question, “Izzy eating? Izzy drinking? Izzy or Iznty?” Lastly, I told Victoria that if he doesn’t make it, we can easily modify it to Wuzzy.

Diesel is furious because his vigil has been interrupted by some bird-loving lunatics. Victoria is ecstatic because she’s 12. I’m happy because it’s the end of the school year and I just found a science project and Vicki is on board without any fuss. And as for Izzy – one website gave this promising advice:
Pigeons are tough birds and can survive through some of the worst injuries I have seen. I like to start trainees with them, cause they usually are successful and I like the students to have a positive experience when they begin.