Expert: Roger Lederer - 2/18/2010

Question
Almost two years ago (end of May 2008) a male mourning dove, probably that year's fledgling, decided to adopt me.  At first he just walked around me but then, within a week or so, he'd land on my lap.  Very soon he taught me to hand feed him seeds.  Some time after that I learned that safflower seeds were his favorite and he'd wait on my head while I picked them out of the seed mix.  Finally, he trained me to buy separate bags of safflower so he didn't have to wait so long for his preferred food.  Honestly, I'm getting to a couple of questions.  This year, 2010, he has a lady friend and both of them arrive on my porch; while she still does not eat out of my hand, she does wait for me to put seeds out for her.  I have always provided them both with fresh water.  My questions are 1) can I be over-feeding my boy, who eats a truly amazing number of seeds at each hand feeding?  and 2) should I expect a bunch of fledglings in 2010 who learn from Dad that there's this perfectly trained human who will look out for their nutritional needs -- assuming that's what I am actually doing.  A man at the Audubon Society assured me that all wild birds eat far more when I'm not around than when they're at my feeder (or presumably, on my porch), but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm actually doing this bird a favor.  I absolutely love him and get a huge kick out of having him land on me, but I have begun to worry that I may be contributing to a problem.  Also, he eats a truly astonishing amount of food at each sitting.  While he has never pooped on me or in the near vicinity, I do spend a fair amount of time cleaning up the porch floor -- is this a hazard?  I believe salmonella could be a problem. I've grown very attached to this little guy -- and Mrs. Bird is also a sweetie.  I want to do what is best for them.  Sorry for War %26 Peace, but it's somewhat complicated.

Regards,

Janet

Answer
Clearly you are concerned and want to do the right thing, so here's my opinion, based on many many years experience. Quit feeding them out of your hand. It's ok to provide food at their feeder, but hand feeding is bad for wild birds. Here's why. They get used to humans and comfortable around human habitations. One day they will go to another house or another person and a kid with a BB gun, a cat, a dog, or something else will get them.Or someone will put them in a cage. I've personally seen it happen several times. Wean them from hand feeding quickly and don't feed them special seeds. They will do just fine in the wild. I know you didn't want to hear that, but it's tough love and is it best for the birds, which is what you and I want.