Birding/Nesting dove

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/16/2010


Question
A pair of doves spent 2 weeks building a nest and taking turns working on it. It is in the same place used last year, over the edge of our deck in a shaggy Hibiscus tree.  We spend hours everyday, sitting out there, watching tv, eating, talking and watching the doves who ignore us.

But she has just spent 3 days alone without leaving the nest, as far as we've seen.  The male has not visited, that we noticed, until 6pm this evening.

Jim heard the coo coo coo greeting of the dove, but did'nt see who left the nest.  Will she leave the nest to eat?  Csn she sit on the nest for 3 days with no help?

I am worried she will starve or dry up with no water if the male keeps away most of the time.  Is this behavior typical?    

We are used to their constant cooed
greetings and taking turns in the nest.

Thanks for your help!

Answer
I am a Bluebird and small cavity nester expert, and do not know much about Mourning Doves except as game birds. However I believe that the female is the only one with a brood patch (a place with no feathers and extra blood vessels) for incubating. She will leave to eat if necessary. Remember that the parents will feed crop milk at first. Google Mourning Doves and you will learn a lot.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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