A sad, uneasy wild bird kept appearing in my yard. He was no more than a humble pigeon, in many eyes, nothing but hated vermin. However, public oppinion matters nothing to me, and I personally adore pigeons, AKA the rock dove, the Bird of PEACE. This little guy always came alone to my yard, most unusual for a pigeon. He would eat, but then sit on the ground, fluffed up, with his head hanging low. I could see he was ill. What of, I had no idea. However, I trundled off to my vets, explained the situation regarding my wild visitor, and came away with a top-up supply of basic birdy antibiotics. SO< how to administer said medication....

I decided against trying to capture this wild beauty, but added the antibiotic into food. Food that I would ONLY throw into my yard once all the other wildies had been well fed. Chivers never ate with the others, he always came alone, or waited till he WAS alone. One day, I saw him desperately trying to shelter in one of my small bird feeders. It was teeming down with heavy rain, and poor Chivers needed shelter. I found a large cardboard box, and covered it with plasic and tape to make it somewhat waterproof. In the box, I placed seed, corn, and soaked wholemeal bread, and a dish of water.The seed and soaked bread were laced with the medication. I was very unsure that Chivers would come near the box, but within 10 minutes, he was in it! Sheltered from pouring rain and rather high winds, Chivers settled into the box I provided! despite his obvious weakness, he became quite aggressive if any other pigeon tried to get too near his den! Within a few days, I saw a different pigeon. He was mixing with the others, feeding with them, he no longer sat huddled sadly on the floor when the rain poured.

I dont really know how it happened, but this lovely wild pigeon seemed to know my voice. He was always first there as I called to my wildies in the morning, as I threw out their food. He began to land on the fence, very close to me. Then one day, as I had tried many times before, I held my outstretched arm towards him. My palm was laden with good food. Chivers, my wild friend, that beautiful bird of peace cautiously fluttered onto my arm, walked to my wrist, and ate seed, granary bread and corn, from my HAND!!!!

This totally wild bird who had been so poorly and vulnerable, decided to trust me. Even now, I cant quite believe it. I know I nursed him, but I nursed him without capture, I nursed him from a distance. He is still a wary bird, as all wild birds should be, and are. But now, when I go into my yard in the morning, and I call his name, he is on the roof of my shed, or on the fence very close to me, within maybe a minute. He hasnt come to my arm for quite a while, but I dont mind. Because he did ONCE. He trusted me, and showed it. He needent prove his trust ever again, he did it once. He is, and always will be, my closest wild bird friend ever. He will never be trapped, he will remain free. I think he knows that.