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Birding/Baby doves disappeared
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Question
Hello. A mourning doves laid 2 eggs in the hanging basket right by my front door. Her and her mate took turns sitting on the eggs. After 2 weeks, I noticed that there was only one egg and it was half-hatched and no parents around. I thought the little bird was dead, but I left well enough alone and the adult came back and sheltered it. I got a glimpse later and the baby was sitting up and moving. The next morning, all the birds were gone... no egg shells; all traces gone. Is it possible that the adults moved the babies? I didn't think this was possible, but I'm not a dove expert. Thanks for any input, as this was rather disturbing.
Birds have many predators, especially birds like Mourning Doves which is why they have as many as four families a year. A raccoon would be a likely culprit, but it would have taken all of the eggs the first time. It is probably a anake as they will sometimes take part of a clutch and come back again for the rest. It is amazing how far a six foot blacksnake can reach. And that is part of the balance of nature. Predators help to keep species strong as they mostly get the sick, the slow and the dumb. If all of the birds that hatched survived we would be up to our hips in birds. Also snakes help to keep mice, rats, voles, moles, gophers, etc., etc. under control.
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| Comment | I am grateful that knowledgeable folks like Bluebird Bob volunteer their time and try to help us non-experts. Thanks Bob! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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