One minute you’re minding your own business on the sidewalks of NYC, and the next you’re in an exam room, getting weighed, poked, stretched and ogled. This must be the mythical pigeon hospital all your friends have whispered about. 😮 Although we’ve admitted 214 species this year, pigeons make up a full half of our patients! They come in with all manner of injuries, illnesses, toxins and entanglements — nearly all of it caused in some way by humans. Each pigeon patient gets a thorough exam, as demonstrated by animal care manager Katie Vecchiolla and beautifully documented by Terria Clay. If you find a pigeon who needs help, please try to contain the bird in a paper bag or box, then bring them to the clinic any day between 9 and 7. Please don’t provide food or water (this can do more harm) or any other care. If you need help catching or transporting the bird, you can reach out to the amazing volunteers at injuredbird@nycbirdalliance.org. There are plenty of pigeon rehabbers outside of NYC, too. You can search ahnow.org or visit Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Adoptions for a map of pigeon-friendly rescues.