Tragic experience has taught us to issue these warnings as early as possible, but first some reassurance:  Handling a sick pigeon will not put your health at risk any more than handling any other bird or animal - wild or domestic - would.  Take sensible precautions like washing your hands after handling it.

Now for the warnings:

• Keep sick pigeons isolated from any other domestic birds you have.
• Do not place caged or baby birds in direct sunlight or in front of a hot stove
• Do not squirt water into a bird's mouth. They cannot cough and can die if it gets in the windpipe
• Do not feed a pigeon as soon as you get it.  Its digestive system might not be functioning due to starvation or sickness. It will need rehydration first
• Do not hold a pigeon too tightly.  They do not have a diaphragm and can suffocate
• If there are cheesy growths in the mouth do not remove or dislodge them. That could start a fatal bleed or suffocate the pigeon
• If there is an egg lodged in the cloaca do not break it or try to remove it
• Do not release a pigeon just because it can fly and seems to have recovered. It will need to be well enough to find food, shelter and avoid predators.  Premature release can be fatal
• Do not hand over a pigeon to a vet, rehabilitator, wildlife sanctuary etc without checking their policies.  Many of these places with euthanase pigeons as a matter of course.  We might be able to help you find someone who will look after your pigeon  properly
• Overheated Teflon, air fresheners etc can be toxic to pigeons
• If you find an injured racer and trace its owner check what the pigeon�s fate will be before you return it. They are often destroyed by the owner for getting lost, sick or injured