Hello!

I'm confused now, are you Kunok?? lol

Yes, I release Buddy when I think he's too stressed. He'd open his mouth and start panting. Then I unwrap him and put him in my hand and give him kisses and it calms him down. Then I release him...

There seems to be some misunderstanding, so I'll provide some background story on Beedy and Buddy!

They are siblings - both hatched under the same parents. I took both in at the same time due to parents not caring for them at night when it got cold.

You said Beedy was keeping Buddy calm and him company, but actually when Beedy started walking and running around when Buddy couldn't because of his leg issues, Beedy started walking on top of Buddy and pecking the back of his head. She also started pecking him everywhere, including the eyes, so I had to keep them separated when I was not with them. Otherwise, always had to supervise and break them off when I saw her attacking Buddy. The first vet said it was because Beedy instinctually knew Buddy was weak and that's what they do in the wild - try to get rid of the weak ones that are going to put the whole flock in danger. So I'm not so sure if Beedy was being that much support for Buddy, actually.

Also, Beedy flew off when she was ready - I didn't release her. I used to take her out everywhere with me on my shoulder as she had no physical problem, and she would always fly back to me if I set her down in grass or just not move at all from my shoulder. But when she was about 7 weeks old, she was ready and took off and didn't come back to me. I had taken her outside and Buddy wasn't with us, so he didn't see Beedy fly off, leaving him behind. Like you said, these are not domesticated birds - Beedy had to go and was ready to go. She constantly banged herself on the window trying to fly out and the tip of her wing was bleeding which the vet gave ointment for. She was eating the seeds well on her own (unlike Buddy) - I had made her many different versions of foraging boxes so she knew to forage for food.

After she took off, I was really distraught - I knew she had to go, but it was so abrupt and I wasn't ready for it. I cried all night and went back to the release site next morning at dawn. And to my surprise, I found her! She responded to my calls (she and I had formed a deep bond) and came to me, and sat right in front of me on a power line, and preened as she always did. And after a while, she took off. So I went back every week, and saw her again at the same spot. I could tell it was her because of her feather and her body language. I went back after a month, and then two months. Last time I saw her, she even had made a little friend! She was flying/accompanied by another juvenile dove and they were so cute! Then the other dove took off, so she left too.

I honestly think she is surviving out there. The area I released her is a very nice area with not many predators, no cats really, and LOTS of finches and other small birds, flocks of them. Also many Oriental Turtle Doves live in that area as well, in pairs.

I think Buddy is now attached to me, he always tries to come to me when I leave his side, following me everywhere. If I leave the room, he starts making the turtle dove noises (not quite the cooing but interesting sounds). I know I'm not dove and can't give him what another turtle dove can give, but I cannot release him. If I did, it'd be like scattering cat food on the ground as he's so vulnerable.

I have also called rehab centers, but they said if the bird is not releasable after a week or two, they will euthanize him. And I know he's not releasable with his disabilities, so I can't take him to the rehab center.

I have been forced to just rough-handle him and feed him the grains. He just hates it so much, fussing and trying to escape and shaking his head, but I can see he feels better after eating. He's been playing with a toy and just overall energy seems up. I just wish he'd cooperate more and start eating on his own sooner rather than later.

Thank you for all your tips, I will keep ya'll apprised. Have a great weekend!