You are here:

Birding/mourning dove nesting

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/6/2008


Question
I have a mourning dove in my backyard who has made a nest out of our
hanging basket. today the basket fell in the wind and her eggs were smashed.
Do mourning doves lay more eggs, or is it ok to move her 'nest' now? she is still
sitting like she was on her eggs. is there something i can do to help?

Answer
She may or may not lay more eggs; it really depends on the individual pair of birds, when the eggs were laid and other factors. Moving her nest will discourage her from laying more. Best thing you can do to help is put the hanging basket back where it was and tie it so it doesn't fall again.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.