Back in 2017, the child had been begging for a pet pigeon for months. Two weeks before her birthday, a beautiful, bedraggled young king pigeon crash landed in our backyard. Pearl has been a member of the family ever since.

She married Rango and has lived happily with our growing flock, keeping a special bond with the child, (now nearly grown), and serving as an ambassador as they visit classrooms around the city, helping children to learn about birds and the natural world.

When Pearl stopped laying eggs, I thought she was entering menopause and I was relieved she would no longer face the perils of egg laying. Then, a few days ago, I noticed she was getting very thin. A trip to the vet revealed a diagnosis of oviduct impaction. She was still producing eggs, they were just stacking up inside her body. She never showed signs of being eggbound and has somehow managed to avoid infection up until now.

Imaging is expected to confirm the diagnosis tomorrow, with surgery the following day if she is strong enough to endure it.

Money is tight for us as it is for many people. Any contribution towards this (estimated) $2k surgery would be so deeply appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Cynthia