Expert: Roger Lederer - 7/7/2007

Question
baby dove found in back yard. He has full feathers on his wings but is slightly bald on the head. He is walking around on the rocks and occasionally spread his wings and takes a few hops like he is trying to fly. I have left him alone except for providing water from a coffie can lid. The mother and father have been perched on the fence during the day and have even come down today to clean him( or so it seems) and peck at his feet which causes him to spread his wings and attempt to fly. He does have this strange pea sized hole in his chest that had white worm looking stuff coming out of it today then yellow stuff tonight. What is this as I cannot find any info on it. He looks well and I am hoping after being on the ground for 2 days he will start to fly tomorrow. Any information would be appreciated. I live in hot hot Arizona

Answer
Hot Arizona is right! The young bird will fly after about a week or 10 days on the ground. I'm not sure about the hole in his chest. If it is in the throat area, it's probably the crop (expanded esophagus) full of what is called "pigeon milk" fed by the parents. I don't think it is a concern.