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Birding/baby dove
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Question
we found a very young dove this afternoon.did not touch it.it has very little feathers,we left it be,but,late this evening it got very cold.so i went out with a small towel and picked it up to bring it in the warm house for the night.my question is...if i return it to the same spot in the morning will the parents still come back and care for it?
That is a difficult question. Sometimes the parents have been killed, and also they make such a poor nest that babies fall out of it. See if you can spot the nest and if you can reach it you may be able to reinforce it and put the baby back. Another possibility, if the parents think the baby is weak or has somethig wrong with it they will abandon it. It is almost imposible for an experienced rehabilitator to save a very young dove, as the parents feed them milk from their crops. I would put the baby back where you found it and let nature take its course. Nature is not always kind, but it aims for the survival of the fittest to keep the species strong.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | thank you for that input.i DO hope the parents come back. | ||
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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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