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Birding/Mourning Dove vomiting/worms in poop before dying

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Expert: Roger Lederer - 7/2/2009


Question
Outside my grandmothers house there was a bird[which I think is a Mourning Dove] it was just staying on the ground not flying for a day or so. It was vomiting and pooping all over the drive way. Its poop was a strange shade of green and appeared to have short fat worms in it. It died and is now in a plastic pail. My question is what could this have been and do I need to report it? I've heard Mourning Doves are a protected species in AZ where I live. Thank you for your time.

Answer
The green color is not unusual as Mourning Doves eat vegetation and seeds. I can't tell you what the short fat worms are because I can't see them. Could be parasites, could be something the bird ate. You don't need to report it. Mourning Doves are a protected species in every state and by federal law as well. If you see several birds in this condition, then you should report it to your wildlife agency.

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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

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