Emergency
Urban Pigeon in Distress –
What to Do?
We provide information and advice, but we are not an animal rescue service and cannot respond to emergencies in person. On-site rescues are handled by animal rescue services, such as the TRD in Zurich.
For trapped pigeons, flightless baby pigeons, or stranded domestic and fancy pigeons, go directly to Special Cases. We have also compiled further useful contacts below.
Rescue and Transport
If an injured, distressed or otherwise concerning pigeon is found, arrangements should first be made for the bird to be rescued and transported to a veterinary practice with avian expertise or a suitable rehab centre. A local animal rescue service may be able to assist.
For transport, the pigeon should be safely placed in a carrier or cardboard box with air holes. A rolled-up towel can be used as a “nest” to provide support and stability. Severely weakened birds need warmth, so the box should be kept in a sheltered place indoors and never outside or on a balcony.
Veterinary Practices
If a pigeon is clearly injured or shows signs of internal injuries, arrangements should be made to have the bird taken to a veterinary practice as soon as possible – ideally to a veterinarian with avian expertise. Since 1 February 2026, under the revised Hunting Ordinance, all veterinarians in Switzerland are permitted to provide treatment to urban pigeons without having to obtain prior authorisation.
However, as the new regulation is not yet widely known and individual practices may have their own policies, it is advisable to call ahead and check.
Signs of internal injuries, collision trauma or organ failure: severely fluffed-up feathers, staggering or falling over, trembling or seizures, difficulty breathing, partially or fully closed eyes, blood around the beak, nostrils or eyes, blood in the droppings or vomit, as well as severe disorientation or lethargy.
Rehab Centres
If a pigeon has no obvious injuries, or needs further care after veterinary treatment, wild bird rescue centers are the first point of contact. As these centres do not always accept urban pigeons, suitable facilities are not available in every canton. We therefore maintain a list of rehab centres that specifically accept urban pigeons.
For cantons not listed, you can find additional wild bird rescue centers here, although we cannot guarantee that they accept urban pigeons.
Wildlife Authorities
Wildlife officers are primarily responsible for wildlife management and may therefore also deal with matters involving urban pigeons. However, they are not rescue or rehabilitation centers.
In the case of an injured pigeon, long-term treatment or rehabilitation is generally not part of their role. Depending on the bird’s condition, the appropriate professional decision may therefore be to kill it.
Special Cases
Flightless Baby Pigeons
If a young pigeon is unable to fly, it is important to act quickly. Unlike many songbirds, pigeons do not have a fledgling stage during which they leave the nest before they can fly properly. They leave the nest on their own only once they are fully able to fly. A flightless young pigeon has therefore fallen from the nest too early and will generally no longer be cared for by its parents. It needs protection and warmth and should never simply be placed in a nearby bush.
The first priority is therefore to arrange for the young pigeon to be secured, for example in a padded cardboard box with air holes. Returning it to the nest is generally not recommended, as the nest may be unsafe and an injury to the young pigeon cannot be ruled out. The surrounding area should then be checked for a second young pigeon in need of help, as urban pigeons usually lay two eggs.
Once the pigeon has been secured, transport to a suitable wild bird rehab centre or veterinary practice should be arranged as soon as possible. Do not force-feed food or water.
Note: If a young pigeon is already able to fly and merely appears to be “stranded”, for example on a balcony, its parents are usually nearby. In this case, it is best to observe the situation first rather than intervene immediately.
Trapped or Entangled
Urban pigeons often seek nesting sites in areas fitted with deterrents, such as recesses behind netting or other exclusion devices. As a result, they can become entangled or trapped. If a pigeon is trapped and unable to free itself, this is an emergency. In such cases, the appropriate authorities should be contacted immediately: the police (117) or the fire brigade (118), particularly if the bird is in a difficult-to-reach location.
On SBB premises, the Transport Police can also be contacted on 0800 117 117. The Animal Rescue Service (0800 211 222) can provide advice and, in the Canton of Zurich, may be able to respond on site or provide assistance.
Captive-Bred Pigeons
If an unusual-looking pigeon is spotted among a flock of urban pigeons, it may be either the offspring of a captive-bred pigeon or a lost captive-bred pigeon that has escaped or been abandoned and is unable to find its way back to its home loft. The latter often wear leg bands and may behave noticeably differently; they may appear lost or actively seek out human contact. Some also land on balconies. Because they have not learned to survive on the streets, their chances of survival are low.
Lost captive-bred pigeons should be secured and, if necessary, treated by a veterinarian with avian expertise. They can then be reported to the Swiss Animal Notification Centre. In some cases, it may be possible to find the pigeon a new private home or arrange accommodation through an animal shelter.
Useful Contacts
Animal Rescue Services
Animal rescue services that may be able to provide transport for urban pigeons:
- Tierrettungsdienst.ch: 0800 211 222 (emergency number)
Canton of Zurich; advice also available for other cantons - KleinTierRettung: 078 638 55 11 (emergency number)
Sarganserland, St. Gallen and Grisons Rhine Valley, Chur - VTAD – Verbund Tier-Ambulanz-Dienste: 044 565 65 65 (24/7 emergency number)
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups where you may be able to find useful information and support:
- Tauben-Notfallmeldung – Das Original: A group run by Graue Flügel Tierschutzprojekt e. V.. “This network helps coordinate urgent cases involving injured and weakened pigeons. Please only post relevant information and images, such as the location and time, a description of the emergency, or similar details, so that help can be arranged for the bird as quickly as possible.”
- Stadttaubenhilfe Netzwerkgeplauder: “A place to exchange information and chat about helping urban pigeons. The group aims to bring together pigeon advocates and foster a nationwide support network. Working together, not against each other. <3”
- Wildvogelhilfe Notfälle – NEU: “People in this group try to help wild birds. We receive many emergency cases here and want to prioritise those. Please do not post images, videos or photos unrelated to current emergencies, as urgent cases may otherwise get overlooked.”
ProTier (Advice)
ProTier can be contacted for advice by phone:
ProTier – Stiftung für Tierschutz und Ethik
Alfred-Escher-Strasse 17, 8002 Zürich
Tel.: +41 44 201 25 03
E-Mail: gvrefpuhgm@cebgvre.pu
protier.ch
Have We Missed Something?
Have you noticed anything in this guide that should be corrected or added? Do you know of a veterinary practice with avian expertise, a rescue centre that accepts urban pigeons, or an animal rescue service that is missing from our list? We’d be grateful to hear from you. Every contribution helps us keep this guide up to date and as useful as possible.