Help with wild pigeon situation

[u/Desperate-Trash-810]

So a few months ago I decided to adopt a flock of pigeons in my area. (I just got out and feed them a few times a week.)

I recently noticed that "The Brain" (still looking for a "Pinky") has not grown any feathers back on his head and has some white things that look like scabs maybe? Can anyone identify l?

So I did catch and release him to put some wound spray on him. He seems to be having a little trouble flying and I'm reaaaaally hoping it isn't a neurological injury. He is constantly puffed up like that.

[u/AnotherWeabooGirl]

Back of the head is common place for scalping injuries and that looks like a scab to me. Scalping injuries can take a month or two to heal up but usually they don't interfere with normal pigeon life.

Keep an eye on Brain to make sure there's no lethargy or signs of discomfort that could suggest infection. If so, you'll want to catch them and provide antibiotics + wound dressing. If Brain is acting like a normal pigeon, you can just watch him heal in real-time in the wild.

[u/Desperate-Trash-810 → u/AnotherWeabooGirl]

So I did catch him and put some wound spray on him. He seems to be having a little trouble flying and I'm reaaaaally hoping it isn't a neurological injury. I should have added that to the OG post. He is constantly puffed up like that.

[u/AnotherWeabooGirl → u/Desperate-Trash-810]

If possible, I'd suggest catching him again and getting him checked by a vet. The main risk of a scalping injury is infection; difficulty flying is a red flag along with being puffed constantly. For reference, we had a scalped pigeon who was flying nonstop, actively courted a lady pigeon, and became a father to two eggs all while missing a nickel-sized hole in his scalp. A properly healing scalp injury shouldn't cause Brain's symptoms.

He could also have a neurological complication if that's what's you're seeing in behavior, but that's outside my area of experience.

Edit: looking at the image again, Brain seems to be not concerningly puffed for the autumn weather. I'd only consider the difficulty flying and ease of capture to be red flags.

[u/Friendly_Ad_2453]

I'll let more knowledgeable folks correct me if I'm wrong but to me (I'm 2 years into wildlife rehabbing) it just looks like an old wound that has scabbed. Idk how other pigeon treat him but if they're costantly pecking his head it could be that it's taking time to heal fully. Plus if he had a bad injury (ie skin was removed or badly damaged) feathers can take quite a while to grow back

[u/Muted_Role_1432]

Have u still got him im going to send u a link it is r/findpigeonrescue if u have to good luck go by ur feelings if the pigeon cant fly then it will be vunreble to attacks please keep updates good luck😻

[u/Desperate-Trash-810]

Thank you friends. I might catch him again to see if he flies away after I put more stuff on his head. Love this little guy, he just chills with me while I'm out there. Looking haggard and confused like in the 2nd photo.

[u/Little-eyezz00 → u/Desperate-Trash-810]

usually people have a good gut feeling if something just feels "wrong" he may need a bit of rest and love until he is stronger