Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/20/2006

Question
Hi Chrys
I was just wondering when it is appropriate to pick up baby doves from the ground in order to hand rear them. How do you know if they have fallen out of the nest and wont survive if you leave them, or if they have been pushed out by the parents who will return later? I've just picked one up and the crop is full, but he/she definitely can't fly. I'm not sure if I should have left her, and if she would have been okay.
Thank you:)
Helen

Answer
Hi, Helen.  Thanks for posting.

Dove parents don't "push" their offspring out of the nest until the babies are able to fly on their own.  In addition, the parents have no way of returning a baby to the nest unless the baby can fly back to the nest on it's own (the parents can't pick the baby up or otherwise help it get back to the nest).  Therefore, if you have found a baby dove, without feathers, on the ground, it will die unless it is hand reared or returned safely to the nest.  I'd say the baby dove most likely accidently fell out of the nest.

Not knowing how old the baby dove is, you may need to handfeed using baby parrot handfeeding formula and a handfeeding syringe (unless you return the baby to the nest).  A baby dove can start eating pigeon grain/wild bird feed on it's own when it is about 2-3 weeks of age, depending on the individual bird.  Baby doves/pigeons usually start getting pin feathers at around 1-2 weeks of age and are fully feathered at 2-3 weeks.  Daddy usually weans them at 21-28 days of age (mom's starting another clutch during this time).  This is when daddy usually pushes the baby out of the nest to start teaching the ways of the world.  

If you need more help with this situation, please come back.  Thanks.

Chrys