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Odd dove behavior

12 years ago

Looked out my window the other day and a Mourning dove was on my deck running around in circles BACKWARD very awkwardly and occasionally dipping a wing for stability. Another dove landed a couple of feet away and looked on with curiosity. I thought the poor bird must be suffering from brain damage from a collision or something when suddenly he shifted out of reverse into forward, took a couple of steps and took off.

Any explainations?

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Comments (2)

lazypup
12 years ago
Doves nest on the ground and when any other creature approaches too close to the nest they will run 20 or 30 feet away and exhibit those girations to distract the predator.

In your case it could have been a mother hen who had a fledgeling out for a flying lesson and she was attracting your attention away from her baby..
bandjzmom
12 years ago
I've seen Killdeer engage in that kind of behavior, but my Mourning Doves never nest on the ground. Odd behavior alright. :o)
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