Expert: Miguel Rodriguez - 6/23/2011

Question
if a young dove looses its tail feathers will they grow back and how long will it take, the bird was attacked by a dog

Answer
Hi

I had no idea, so I googled it an there's ton of related posts. Here's one answer I found:

"Yes they can. The only way they couldn't was if the loss of feathers was do to injury and the fearher folicle was damanged. It will take a little time. but they will grow back. If this is a wild dove just keep it safe for awhile - food and water - and leave it heal. Good Luck and Thanks for caring"

update: also found this, more interesting even:

"he feathers will grow back. Mourning Doves "shed" their feathers like crazy to help escape predators be they hawk, cat, dog, human, or other.