Birding/dove nesting

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Expert: Julia Booth - 7/22/2008


Question

Nesting dove
My dad had a robin nest last year.  This year a dove took it over.  She has laid eggs three times and each time the babies matured and left the nest.  Is this the same dove, and how many times can they have babies in a year?

Answer
Doves and Robins have actually been known to share nests -which is weird all by itself. Doves typically begin nesting as early as Feb and as late as August. In the southern US they can have as many as 5-6 broods in one season. Usually only 2-3. It's 14 days to incubate and 14 more to fledge. Sadly the average life expectancy is about a year and 70-80% of the offspring that are born do not survive to breed themselves. Doves are game birds and therefore at the bottom of the food chain, so to speak.

In captivity, however, they have lived as long as 30 years. Average is 12-15.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much


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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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