Birding/morning doves

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/11/2007


Question
I have a pair of morning doves that nest in a planter every year on our veranda. this year one of the dove babies does not want to leave. the mother was coming back at night but has not been back in two nights. the other baby has gone. what can we do to help this baby as she must be hungry and thirsty. please answer ASAP

Answer
There is not much you can do. This bird was probably born handicapped or suffered some illness as a newly-hatched. When chicks are very young they more readily accept an unknown creature to feed them, but if it's already a fledgling, chances are that it'll be too afraid to accept the food.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Miguel Rodriguez

Expertise

Long time enthusiast of birding, specifically of the birds of the island of HISPANIOLA (Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the CARIBBEAN. Also, some knowledge of CARIBBEAN FAUNA IN GENERAL. I also have a limited knowledge of birds of Eastern North America. I am NOT A VETERINARIAN NOR A BIRD BREEDER so can not give any information regarding bird diet, nesting habits, chick raising, etc.

Experience

Amateur ornithologist since 1992.

Organizations
Founding member of the Hispaniolan Ornithological Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.