Wounded baby pigeon now under vet's wing

An injured baby pigeon found at a bus stop is on the road to recovery after being taken under a vet's wing.

The baby pigeon, also known as a squab, was found at Stourbridge Bus Station at just seven days old with a wound on his head.

Concerned resident Bethany Greenhalgh took him to a vet practice in Stourbridge on 4 September where staff stepped up to the challenge of treating his wounds.

They then went one step further, taking him home and giving him round the clock care - calling him Number 9 after the bus service stop (the Birmingham to Stourbridge route) where he was found. Afterwards, he will either be released back into the wild or to a trusted pigeon carer.

Vets for Pets practice owner and senior veterinary surgeon Stacey Reed-Owen treated his wound and senior veterinary nurse Vanessa Stokes has been had rearing him at her home.

After seven weeks of hand rearing him around the clock, he is still in her care.

Number 9 initially lived in a basket with a nest bed, but as he has grown and become more independent, he moved first into a large dog crate before getting access to Stokes's garage, allowing him more room to exercise and develop his flying skills.

"When Number 9 came in, he was so young that he needed someone to take on that ongoing care, so I brought him home and I've been looking after him ever since," Stokes said.

"I've hand reared pigeons before, so I knew the level of care and commitment involved, but every bird is different.

"The care doesn't stop when you leave work, and it takes a lot of time and patience, but seeing how far Number 9 has come makes it completely worthwhile.

"He's a smart little character and it's been lovely to watch his personality develop."

She added that people sometimes wondered what happens when they bring in a bird or another wild animal to a veterninary practice.

"Number 9 shows just how much care can go on behind the scenes," she said.

"Whatever the species, we want to give every animal that comes through our doors the best chance we can."

Stokes is continuing to rear Number 9 with the hope that, when he is ready, he can be returned to the wild.

If that is not possible, the practice said it had a trusted local pigeon carer who can offer him a suitable home.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.