White-Winged Dove Attacked After Grounding

The following story about a white-winged dove was shared with us by St. John Wildlife Rehabilitation in St. John Island, U.S. Virgin Islands.

In April 2025, a homeowner in St. John discovered an injured, adult white-winged dove while doing yardwork near their house. The bird appeared to have suffered a collision with a window and was likely attacked by a cat while grounded. It was in poor condition, and its intake weight was just 120 grams (about 4.2 ounces) — well below the healthy range for an adult dove. The situation was dire, and its recovery was considered a long shot.

Upon arrival at St. John Wildlife Rehabilitation, the dove was immediately hydrated and placed on EmerAid IC Omnivore, a specialized nutritional formula designed for compromised wildlife. For several days, it remained on supportive feeding until it regained enough strength to begin self-feeding. Gradually, the bird was able to consume enough food supplemented by EmerAid bird vitamins to sustain its own weight, marking a critical turning point in its recovery.

Over the course of nearly a month, the dove received extensive wound care to treat the injuries sustained during its ordeal. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the rehabilitation team, the bird healed from significant trauma and steadily gained weight. By the time of its release, it had reached a healthy 150 grams (about 5.3 ounces) and was strong enough to return to the wild.

This dove’s story is a powerful reminder of the threats birds face from everyday hazards like window strikes and outdoor cats. It also highlights the importance of local wildlife rehabilitation centers and supportive foods and vitamins like EmerAid and the role they play in giving injured animals a second chance.