Mourning Doves in a Nest

tomf · Sat May 30, 2009 9:34 am

We have some doves that come by every day, I enjoy seeing them.

wingdesigner · Sun May 31, 2009 1:14 am

Wow, nice shots! I'm glad you shared these because there's a fledgling hanging around that was born in my gutter. However, he is the scraggliest looking thing, skinny neck and tiny head compared to the rest of the body. Looks almost deformed. But I have seen the parents feeding it. They are absolutely quiet, I've practically knocked him off two perches before I noticed him. Yeah, they grow up fast, I noticed the eggs the first week of may, but I think only one survived. Not a whole lot of room up there, and doves are lousy nest-builders. I wondered if it cooked the eggs, being in full sun most of the day. No eggs washed out, even though it's right next to a downspout. Said downspout empties into a screened rain barrel, which I used to use for rinsing off my hands. Not no more!

vintagejuls · Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:36 am

Fledgling occurred the week following mothers day - how fitting...

When I hadn't seen any of the dove family, I cleaned up the plant and gave it a drink of water. Then the morning of Thursday, May 14th, I wake up and find the family enjoying their clean 'basket'. This is the last time I saw the family.

Mom, Dad and 1 Baby
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0148_116.jpg[/img]

Baby alone in nest
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0151_119.jpg[/img]

Baby roosting while I did work in the yard; planting my tomatoes...
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0158_126.jpg[/img]

Mom and Dad planning round 2
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0162_129.jpg[/img]

Well, the doves returned after my spring cleaning to build an even better nest and lay 2 eggs which I discovered on the evening of the 4.7 earthquake we had here. Yes, I felt it big - like a 6.0 because I'm near the fault line it ran off of. Fortunately, no damage; just a few wall hangings knocked askew.

Today I couldn't wait any longer and looked into the basket nest while Dad was nesting and saw movement of a hatchling. Only saw 1 baby but the other could have been under him. It's been quite cool here for a normal SoCal spring. I estimate they hatched Friday because Mom was wiggling around on the nest. No pics yet. I plan to give them more privacy this time... I think they may have fledged too early with all the paparazzi activity

Thanks everyone for checking in to see the latest on my Dove Family.

BTW, I hung the hummingbird feeder and the Doves haven't minded at all despite the 2 to 3 hummers that hang out and quibble over the feeder. I find they enjoy perching themselves on the tomatoe cages which is right below the feeder.

vintagejuls · Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:28 pm

Thunder and lightening in a spring shower - just had to look into the nest... So, here is Daddy Dove with 1 baby. There were 2 eggs but it looks like only 1 hatched.

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DaddyDoveandBaby4June2009.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0202_166.jpg[/img]

applestar · Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:53 pm

I think he's getting used to you. He looks like he's greeting you with a smile.

wingdesigner · Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:54 pm

I think it's a grimace...

vintagejuls · Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:12 pm

Actually, I too think it is a grimace...

I snapped this picture after the 'exchange' (mom relieving dad) and then startled mom off the basket. ooops, big oooops but she returned within 5 minutes as she was roosting on another hanging basket under the patio cover.

The good news is there are 2 babies!!!

And, I need to keep a safe distance so fledging doesn't occur prematurely like I think it may have last brood.

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0203_167.jpg[/img]

applestar · Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:26 pm

Aww - you're being a good landlady, you are. Just keep filling the birdbath or other water source, and, if you want to give them something, they do like millet and corn bits. It helps to feed nesting birds because then they can concentrate on getting "babyfood" and not have to worry so much about feeding themselves.

vintagejuls · Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:10 pm

applestar, does the dog's water dish count as a water source? I think that's what they may be using as it seems to be getting murky quicker than normal...

And, they may be using it before we get up in the morning. I'm somewhat of a night owl when I can be.

I have a bird feeder that hangs from the Wisteria trellis which I can fill. But my concern was to keep the traffic down in the area; it's about 20' away from the nest. Probably should be OK... Your thoughts? or anyone?

cynthia_h · Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:34 am

The water in a birdbath is usually a couple of feet up off the ground, maybe because birds want to see their surroundings? I have seen birds "bathing" in puddles after rain at the Point Isabel dog park, but only when the birds' line of sight is unobscured for a good distance, maybe 12 to 15 feet.

Maybe the urge to be up off the ground is instinctive, due to ground-level predators (cats, raccoons, etc.).

Birdbaths are also shallow so the birds can stand in them and get the dust and other crud (a technical term

) off of their feathers while also getting a drink. My MIL has a three-level circular fountain, and I've seen birds stand on the edge of the top level, but not the lower levels. There *are* outdoor cats in her neighborhood, but no raccoons, so far as I know.

I don't have any advice on the distance of a bird feeder from the nest; sorry. I've always had indoor/outdoor cats (until last year) and felt it unethical to feed birds and lure them to the yard. Maybe I can, now that I have indoor-only cats...I could certainly use the bug control...

Mom and Dad Dove definitely like your geranium basket!

It's a good thing you watered the poor thing when you did...

Cynthia

vintagejuls · Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:25 pm

It's natures wonder and awe when you can look out your window to watch a feeding, grooming and wing stretching. Here they are at approximately day 10. Fledgling should occur in 3-5 days.

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0212_176.jpg[/img]

vintagejuls · Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:55 pm

It shouldn't be long now before they are ready to leave the nest. They are so cute - my pet doves...

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0234_194.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0231_191.jpg[/img]

No need for me to stand on the stool. They sit up high and alert.

wingdesigner · Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:59 pm

Man, do they grow fast! The mutant fledgling of prior posts has been spotted, and it still doesn't have the colouring of an adult, although it appears to be full size and on it's own; nor has the head and neck caught up in size, still appears stunted.

applestar · Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:23 am

You got some REALLY great portraits there, vintagejuls!
Congratulations.

vintagejuls · Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:18 pm

Thank you. Well, I guess I'm a Grandma afterall.

The babies have been alone in the basket for over 2 hours this morning. An adult dove did roost for a bit on a nearby hanging basket but it's not there now. The adults are probably getting the babies comfortable with being alone...?

Today is lawn day but I will forgo mowing the backyard; don't want to startle the babies out of the nest prematurely. Since we have had marine layer every day all day for several days now, the backyard can wait until next week. I'll do some weeding instead.

Stay tuned for more dove update episodes...

vintagejuls · Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:24 am

Thursday morning was like any other morning... mom and dad alternating feedings.

[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0237_197.jpg[/img]

But during Thursday afternoon, everything changed. The babies were left alone for hours.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0240_200.jpg[/img]

All afternoon, evening and into the night.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0245_205.jpg[/img]

Friday morning, they were still waiting but then suddenly seeing mom and dad in the yard, one by one they took flight to greet them.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0253_213.jpg[/img]

The fledgling doves needed a rest, so they roosted all afternoon. Right below them is a clay saucer full of bird seed. They had been watching mom and dad partake earlier.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0251_211.jpg[/img]

Late in the day only one fledgling remained. Roosting and watching the sparrows arrive to nibble and feed on the seeds.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0256_216.jpg[/img]

Roosting into the evening, until after nightfall he was gone.
[img]https://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/vintagejuls/Doves%20May%202009/DSCN0255_215.jpg[/img]

Midmorning today, Saturday 6/13, mom and dad were in and out of the yard... feeding, roosting but no sign of the fledglings. Maybe they're enrolling in college.

So the hanging basket nest has been cleaned out and watered; until the pair decide to nest again.

wingdesigner · Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:38 am

So the chair is a bird feeder? And here I thought that was part of your good dining room set...

Astounding how fast they develop.

cynthia_h · Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:07 am

Wow. Beautiful shots, and very engaging story-telling.

I haven't looked back through the thread, but it seems like they go from balls of fluff to fledging in 10 days???

Cynthia

vintagejuls · Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:12 am

Thanks Wing and Cynthia for viewing my post and listening to my story.

Wing, Yeah, that chair is now a bird feeder because the doves cannot get to the regular feeders so I put a big red clay saucer full of seed in the chair seat which has chicken wire stapled in. Originally, a friend made the chair for me as a planter. I should redo it or another. Maybe I can find a chair at a garage sale...

Cynthia, Good guess on the 10 days. Close, it's about 14...

No new nest yet... I was out of town since Sunday, returned today and thought I would find a dove nesting but no one is home...

wingdesigner · Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:05 am

I think mine are gone from the gutter, too. Thank goodness.

applestar · Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:17 pm

Vintagejuls, how are you dove family doing?

I've been meaning to post about this, and I finally had the chance to take some pictures. Shortly after your reports about the doves in your hanging basket, a pair of doves moved into nest in the remains of my bird feeder.

My expensive but old feeder literally flew off the post one pre-hurricane day last autumn and smashed. I rigged a platform feeder with a nursery bedding tray DIY'd with window screen, scrap wood, and wired on branches. It was serviceable and attracted many birds through the winter.

Some time in late spring, the roof which was being supported with rubber bands on the central post fell down when the rubber bands dried up and failed in the heat. The feeder stood empty except for occasional grubs and cabbage worms I tossed in, and the doves decided it was an ideal nesting site.

[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image4696.jpg[/img]

Today, we caught sight of a pretty well grown chick in the nest:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image4695.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image4694.jpg[/img]

vintagejuls · Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:17 pm

Applestar,

Great Dove nest you have there. Who knew...?

No new nest; the last fledge was June 13th. Doves come in and out of the yard to feed from the seed I put out. I'd like to believe that some are the babies all grown up...

plkelly · Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:48 pm

I've so enjoyed following the mourning doves all this summer.

We had a pair in our yard last summer, but I would only see them hunting seed on the ground. Their nest must have been well hidden.

jmoore · Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:18 pm

plkelly wrote:I've so enjoyed following the mourning doves all this summer.

We had a pair in our yard last summer, but I would only see them hunting seed on the ground. Their nest must have been well hidden.

+1 Great story and pics.

We've got mourning doves literally by the hundreds in our neighborhood. I've got a huge pecan tree in my backyard and they love that thing. They are constantly in there cooing. It's very relaxing listening to them when we sit on the patio in the evenings.

GeorgiaGirl · Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:32 pm

Oh my goodness, I had missed this thread before. Love the photos and narrative! So amazing to see "coming of age" in action right in our own back yards.