Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: We found a dove this morning sitting on a nest in a flower pot that hangs on the fence on our patio.  My husband approached the dove, he got really close, but the dove didn't move.  we have observed this dove all day just sitting on the nest.  Why did the dove not fly off when approached?

ANSWER: If the dove has eggs or young in the nest, it has to continue sitting on them consistently or they will cool down and the eggs or young will die. They do leave the nest to feed but that's usually during the warm part of the day when the eggs will cool the least. When your husband (or a cat or whatever) approaches the nest, the bird is frightened but will protect and incubate the eggs as long as it can - until the threat is very close at which time it will fly off. Basically, it will protect the eggs/young as long as it can. However, if your husband continues to do this, the bird will eventually fly away for a short time before returning and the eggs or young might die. If your husband does it often enough the dove will abandon the eggs and nest and may or may not build one elsewhere.

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QUESTION: Should we supply her some type of food or water in the immediate area?  If so what do they eat?

ANSWER: She'll be fine without you providing her anything, I'm sure. If there is water anywhere nearby, that will suffice. You can buy commercial dove food and spread it around or you can get some millet and medium size sunflower seeds and spread those around. But the best thing you can do is not disturb the bird. Food and water are rarely a problem.

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QUESTION: ok thanks
I just have to ask this one last question.  there is a robin in a nest in the same area.  Earlier they were both sitting on the fence for a few minutes side by side.  Everytime we go out and open the door the robin flies off her nest to the fence.  Why is the dove different by not leaving her nest?  do doves particularly have to stay on the eggs all the time?  I have also noticed that the past few years that when I put hanging baskets on my front door--some bird just can't wait to build its nest in one of them.  (is there any way to stop this?) These birds always fly out to a tree when I come to water even if there are eggs.  I have to then take a cup and carefully water around the nest!

Answer
As I said, the doves do get off their nest to feed sometimes during the day. Robins are a bit more skittish than doves, so they react quicker and thus leave the nest quicker. If you want to avoid birds building nests in your hanging baskets, cover them with wire or something similar. Otherwise they are very attractive to birds.