Save Sick, Injured, & Orphaned Birds - California

This report is about two pigeons who came from completely different places at different times but who ended up in the same wonderful forever home. They had the opportunity to meet, and it was truly love at first sight. After a whirlwind romance Braveheart and Wisdom decided to become mates. This is the type of happy ending that we wish all rescued pigeons could have.

Braveheart is a racing pigeon. We know from her leg band that her hatch year was 2019, so she will soon be 5 years old. Braveheart was found by a kind member of the public in Huntington Beach on June 12, 2023. She was horribly injured with a broken left wing, an injured left eye, and massive, gaping wounds to her chest and abdomen. Avian Underdogs Rescue Association got Braveheart the veterinary care she needed in order to survive and to heal to the extent possible. Braveheart’s wing was splinted, her eye was treated, and her wounds were sutured. Over the next 2 months Braveheart had to see her veterinarian on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Her sutured wounds healed, her broken wing slowly calcified, but the damage to her eye could not be repaired. Braveheart will never fly again and will never again have vision in her left eye, but she has taken this in stride and is a happy and healthy pigeon at this point.

Braveheart was originally believed to be a male and was adopted to become the companion for a rescued female pigeon that would also never fly again. Oooops! Braveheart got to her new home, and guess what? Braveheart wasn’t a boy! Braveheart had already stolen the heart of her adopter, so it was decided to see if she would like an elderly racing pigeon named Wisdom that was being adopted in a day or two.

Wisdom is an elderly racing pigeon that was originally “rescued” in the Los Angeles area. His “rescuer” decided that Wisdom could fend for himself and was going to release him. Please know that domesticated pigeons like Wisdom cannot survive on their own for the long term and certainly not one that is around 20 years old which is Wisdom’s estimated age. Enter a true rescuer who stepped in and took over Wisdom’s care and started looking for a forever home for him. A wonderful home for Wisdom was found with the same person that adopted Braveheart.

There was an immediate attraction between Braveheart and Wisdom. A whirlwind courtship occurred, and the happy couple decided to tie the knot. They are a bit of a May/December couple but should be able to enjoy many happy years together.

Avian Underdogs Rescue Association is so appreciative of everyone who assists with rescuing pigeons, transporting pigeons, and providing them wonderful homes. We are very grateful to those of you who have generously supported us with your donations. Your donations make it possible for us to provide veterinary care to pigeons like Braveheart and to also provide veterinary care to many other types of birds. We hope that you can find it in your hearts and in your wallets to continue your financial support. In the approximately 60 days between August 8, 2023 and October 4, 2023, we spent over $9,600 on veterinary care. Our veterinary funds are at an all-time low right now. Please make a donation if you can.

Braveheart and Wisdom photos are courtesy of and the property of Jenna Close. Thank you, Jenna!