AboutEdward Expertise I am a wildlife rehabber in North America and can answer questions on many species, especially North and South American Species
Experience I have handreared many different types of animals, mainly raccoons, oppossums, raptors, songbirds, crows, deer, and bears. I also have worked in animal centers and zoos.
Organizations World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International.
Publications Ranger Rick Magazine
Education/Credentials Degree in zoology and wildlife biology.
Expert: Edward Date: 7/25/2008 Subject: baby morning dove
Question QUESTION: I have had a baby morning dove placed in my care after successfully saving a baby sparrow last month (word gets out, and I volunteer with our local animal shelter) But I did see online that doves feed by eating from their parents mouth, whereas the sparrow wanted to have the food placed in its mouth. I have managed to get the baby to eat by softening dry cat food, mushing it, and placing it in a small clear cap (from a hair product, but was washed thouroughly first), and then placing the tip of a finger of a rubber glove. A hole in the glove seems to appease the baby and it dives in to eat. It is about 5 days old according to pictures I've found online. Can you please give any other help so I can get it to be healthy enough to release when its ready.
Thank you so much....
Avid Animal Lover
ANSWER: Hello Julie.
Though you did some incredible and impressive work with the sparrow, and I cannot thank you enough for that, perhaps it would be in the best interests of the dove if you gave it to someone with more experience with baby doves. I am not doubting you, but doves are especially finicky when it comes to hand rearing.
However, if you do decide to keep it, here's some helpful information. The glove method is perfect for the dove, keep that up for another week or so, then try to start introducing solid foods, but slowly. For instance, softened food and solid food, and then just keep increasing the solid food until that makes up the whole of its diet. Make sure the dove is also getting calcium, as many of them are deficient. Crushed oyster shell is best, but calcium powders mixed with their food can work as well. Also, make sure it has plenty of room to hop about, as well as a high perch where it can eventually practice flight. Also, a trip to an avian vet is recommended to make sure the bird has no diseases.
Again, I would strongly recommend giving it to someone more experienced in doves.
Keep up the good work,
Edward.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for the advice Edward, but it is too late, the poor thing passed away this afternoon. It seemed to have trouble breathing and just faded away. Perhaps it was sick when it was found. But I am crushed that it died, and will never be able to look at doves the same way again....
Answer I truly am sorry for your loss. Most likely, it suffered a fall before it was given to you, and possibly had a collapsed breathing system or an Upper Respiratory Infection. I am happy to know that he spent his last days with someone as kind and loving as yourself. You did everything you could, but it was his time. Again, thank you, and I'm so sorry for your loss.
