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Birding/mourning dove/approx 6 wks old

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Expert: - 8/8/2007


Question
Been raising a mourning dove chick for 2 weeks now. I am mixing millet into the Exact bird formula but still hand feeding him.  He picks at the seed on bottom of cage but does not swallow. How do I get him to eat on his own to be able to release him? Have photos to email if you want.

Answer
He's too used to you hand feeding him, so reduce the times you do that and let him feed on his own more and more often. He'll learn how to pick up seed when he is motivated. Release him as soon as possible because the longer he is in captivity the less his chances are for survival in the wild. THanks for your concern.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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