My dove babies made it. Both babies were in my 6" Dischidia pot. I see the mama, dad and the babies hanging around here.

Jan

That's good news. Maybe the generations of doves that have been nesting here just are unable to nurture the weaker one. It's sometimes difficult to figure out nature. I have 2 kids of my own and whenever I see the doves collecting nesting material, I'm always monitoring their progress. Jeez, I make sure there's food and water for them before I even feed my dog! I'm pleased to hear that there is a chance that both baby doves have the chance to make it.
Thanks for your note back Jan.
Sue.

Sue, sorry about your dove, could it be that this mama dove thinks this is 'normal' to just feed one? who knows, maybe she was brought up that way...
Mine are nesting - it seems all the time - and so far I always had both youngens hang out together pooping as a twosome until they take off to make room for the next batch.... I love their mournful calls, compared to the annoying screeching of the two young mockers that starts at sunup and won't stop until sundown.
Both of those mockers are fat (thinking BBQ here) and clumsy, so watching them act goofy makes up somewhat for being so loud-mouthed.
They tend to fall off the handrail while trying to turn around, or they make a not so graceful landing in a bush. One landed on top of a shepherds hook, trying to not slide downwards, looked like he made a split. Too funny how they try to get to that one purple lantana berry just a bit out of reach, the branch bends down, down, down, and the bird goes with it head first... like a cartoon...

Evelyn :-)

Birds will often neglect one of their chicks if it is weaker than the other(s). They know they can't save it, so they throw all their energy into the one that has the best chance to survive. This is common with many species, though I don't know if it is common for this to happen with every clutch. Perhaps this particular bird is just not hatching healthy chicks and has to make that choice each time.

Marcia

Hi
Doves are unique in the bird world as the first week of feeding the young, consists of material sloghed from the intestinal lining. Called "pigeon milk" it has most of the properties of mammal milk. That's why they have such phenominal growth rates. It requires both of the pair to produce the "milk" if one is unable to do so one of the chicks will die. Probably what's happening in your case.
Not much you can do about it. Doves have incredible reproduction rates which is why the pigeon has spread all over the world lol
The Mourning dove seems very secure in spite of the unbelieveable numbers taken as game birds . Not to worry they're hanging in there!!lol gary

Some of you probaly have seen this photo but I just love looking at them.

Talk about bringing back memories. When I was taking care of orphaned birds at Florida Audubon, mourning doves were the number one babies brought in. Even more than mockingbirds. Why? Because mourning doves build the crappiest excuses for nests you've ever seen! Usually just a few flimsy sticks shoved together, with plenty of gaps. The eggs and babies fall out all the time. I guess it's nature's way of making sure mourning doves don't take over the planet!

I've raised more babies like these in the picture than I can possibly remember. And in those days, they didn't have a commercially prepared formula for them like I think they do today. Gary is exactly right. All members of the dove family start their chicks with pigeon's milk, regurgitated from the crop of parent. In my day, we had to mix up a concoction of mashed hardboiled egg yolk and canned milk with vitamins, etc, added. Then we put it in a plastic bag with the corner snipped off (like a pastry tube) and the babies would stick their beaks inside and drink it down. It was a royal pain in the neck, but it worked, as the babies thought they were feeding from a parent's mouth that way.

They know much more about saving orphan birds today and have better products and formulas available than what we had to make do with. But it is still an enormous job, and with most birds, it only makes US feel better to save them. Most of the songbirds brought in are not in any real danger of decline, but most PEOPLE don't want to see the babies die. So bird folks are still out there saving them, and I can't fault them for that. I did it, too, and would do it again if I had to.

Of course, sometimes certain species are at a point when it would be criminal NOT to save every single bird possible. And for me, the whole experience was interesting and educational, and I learned a LOT about birds, wildlife, and the vagaries of Mother Nature.

Marcia

Thanks everyone for all your responses.
Unfortunately this morning when I checked on Mama and babies, one baby didn't make it and the other baby was gone. Mom showed up a short time later and I guess was in "mourning" (sorry about the pun here) and stayed with the deceased runt. I'll take care of that tomorrow.
While on the topic of mourning doves, I remember years ago when I first moved here, I came across a dove that had been pretty mangled up. (Maybe a cat?) I felt so sorry for the little thing so I scooped him up, put him in a shoebox and drove over to The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary on Indian Rocks Beach. (A frantic 20 minute trip) Once there and in the hands of kind folks, they assured me that the dove would be alright and then asked if I'd like to make a donation. I thought $20 was OK. They also told me that mourning doves are one of "the dumbest" neighborhood birds. Always getting hit by cars, etc... Personally I have to disagree.
Again thanks everyone even though I was off topic posting my little dilemma. Not surprisingly, once again I've learned from all you pros a little bit more about our feathered friends.
Have a Terrific Weekend. Maybe a few drops of rain???Wouldn't that be wonderful!
Sue.