What Do You Do With a One-Footed Pigeon?

A Moral Conundrum. Or is that redundant?

Definition of CONUNDRUM

1

: a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun

2

a : a question or problem having only a conjectural answer

b : an intricate and difficult problem

Just what do you do with a one-footed pigeon? What can you do? What need you do? Anything? Or simply leave things be? Chalk it up to nature?

This one-footed pigeon has become a regular in our North Seattle back yard, joining the flock of pigeons that usually hangs out around our yard. As you can see from the photo below, the pigeon's right foot is rolled up in a ball and not functional. The pigeon hops around on its good foot, occasionally using its wings for balance.

This pigeon's right foot is severely deformed and rolled into a ball

In all other respects the pigeon seems perfectly healthy and happy, as pigeons go. It will sit on its one good foot and preen itself, like a parrot does. The bird seems to have no problem following and participating with its flock. Other than its foot, it seems to be a perfectly normal wild critter.

We've been told we should try to catch the bird to have the foot examined. But we're not sure how useful capturing the bird would be. If the deformed foot is say, a birth defect, there may not be any fix for the problem. Our inclination is to leave the bird alone. There might be more harm trying to catch the bird than potential benefit to the bird.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.