How to care for a baby collared dove?

Question

Earlier today we found a fledgling collared dove in our driveway, it was just sitting there so we figured we'd just leave it. THEN a van reversed into our driveway and ran over its tail feathers so we thought we'd better move it. So currently it's sitting in a box filled with hay and a hand warmer (it was looking pretty wet and miserable before). We tried to offer it some warm milk with a little sugar but it doesn't seem to want to open its beak. I just had a look on the internet and on an American site it says that it's illegal to keep wild birds? But I'm not sure the local shelters would have the time or resources for one little bird. So we're pretty stuck on what to do, please help!!

Answer 1

If a young bird is left all by itself usually there is something wrong with it. When a mother bird knows one of the babies is sick she will often leave it to die.

Answer 2

Have you tried ringing either the  RSPCA, or animal/bird shelters that are local to you?  They should help!

Answer 3

I have tried to nurse pigeon fledgelings back to health. It is not very sucessful. You can try wrapping it in towel so it cant move. With a pair of tweezers you can put some catfood into it's beak. I also put water on a spoon and trickle it down it's throat. You have to gently force their beaks open. They will need feeding every two ours or so. You can try but they sometimes die of shock. Good luck.