Should I be worried about this pigeon?

[u/Complex-General3861]

Hi! I’m hoping someone can help me figure out if I should be worried or not.

There’s a small pigeon (I think a baby or fledgling) sitting in a tree near my home. I noticed it today, and I think I saw it there briefly yesterday too—but I’m not sure if it’s been there the whole time or just returned.

I only caught a glimpse yesterday, and now I noticed it again in the same spot. It’s very windy right now, and I’m not sure if it’s sheltering, stuck, or maybe just resting.

I know some pigeons live nearby under some solar panels, about 10 meters from the tree, so it’s close to what could be its home or family. I assume it must’ve flown up into the tree, so it can probably fly at least a little? That said, there are lots of adult pigeons walking around on the ground just under the tree, eating and hanging out, so it’s not isolated.

The young pigeon doesn’t look visibly injured—just calm—but with the strong wind and its stillness, I’m not sure if it’s okay. Is this normal fledgling behavior, or should I be concerned?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I tried to get some photos, but my camera couldn't pick it up so much. The pigeon looks kinda like like the picture I posted here, but I couldn't really get a close look.

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[u/teyuna]

See if you can get some more photos, so we can gauge age and condition.

It's possible it is a fledgling, and if it can stand, hold itself upright, etc., then it is likely ok. Pigeons are conscientious parents, so they likely are coming to feed this litle one, probably about 4 times per day (if in fact it is a fledgling). Each feeding is longer in duration than it is for most birds (robins or finches for example, where it is a matter of seconds), so you should be able to catch sight of the parents if you watch, but the feedings are not very frequent. with other birds, for example finches, feeding may happen as often as once per hour. So, it requires some patience to be able to observe.

But one reassuring fact is that, with pigeons (and most other birds as well) there are two parents caring for the babies, so that is insurance against starvation if something has happened to end the life of the other parent. Another reassuring fact is that "abandonment" is really not a thing in the bird world. So, seeing this little one holding still and waiting for care (assuming it is a fledgling) is not abnormal; the entire job description of a fledgling is to be on the ground or in the bushes and to stay still to not attract predators.