Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 8/12/2007

Question
We trimmed our front tree and later in the evening we noticed a baby dove sitting on the ground next to the tree. We tried putting it back up in the tree the next day but the neighborhood cat came around. We got some Exact food and it seems to eat it quite well. My question is, how do I tell how old it is and get it interested in seed and introduce it back into the wild. It appears to have all its feathers and can flap its wings but can't fly yet. the bird will drink some water from the same container that I feed the Exact and seems to take some seed mix also. We are going to be moving and will need to release the bird back into the wild but want to make sure that it is ready and can make it.

Answer
Hi, Carol,

Great thing you've done with this baby!

When the baby starts to peck at things on the ground/bottom of its cage, it's ready to start trying grain.  You can feed the bird dove/pigeon grain...lay some in a flat dish/bowl and if the baby is old enough, it will start pecking at the food.  You may still have to handfeed it some until it gets used to completely feeding itself.  Also offer the bird water in a dish because doves/pigeons have to drink water after they eat grain in order to help soften the grain hulls.  The bird will also need dove/pigeon grit.  This bird is most likely 4-6 weeks old from your description.  

You can't just release this bird back into the wild after having tamed it.  The bird will not know how to find food/water on its own, i.e., it didn't have its parents to teach it what to eat/where and how to find water.  You need to gradually "cut your ties" with this bird so the bird will be able to fend for itself in the wild.  It would be best if you could also teach it how to find food on its own.  Otherwise, I would recommend you release this bird when it's a bit older with a flock of other doves/pigeons so perhaps it will learn from them.  This is one detriment to helping a wild bird when it's a baby.

Chrys