How Do You Know if Baby Birds Need Help??

14 years ago

Two Baby birds have spent the day in a corner of the front yard. They don't seem in physical distress. I don't see a Mommy bird, but I know she may be around. They can barely fly-only a few feet. I put out a shallow pan of water sine it was in the 90's today. I think they are living in my water fountain. It is empty, turned sideways and leaning against the house. I plan to leave them alone, but I am curious as to what kind of birds they are and how to tell if they become distressed. Hope there are no cats around.

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2v28kdz.jpg[/IMG]

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Comments (8)

anne_ct
14 years ago
That is a fledgling Mourning Dove. Too early to tell whether it's a male or female...but both parents care for their young...and are mated for life. One usually sits with the young during the day while the other goes food shopping. When the "shopping" parent returns...he/she feeds the fledgling and the parent who sat all day long...goes off for the night...usually returning very early in the morning to relieve the sitting parent. The fact that there's no adult with this fledgling says one of two things. One...the fledgling is old enough to be on his/her own. Or two...the fledgling...while learning to fly...has gotten himself/herself into a real pickle. My bet is that he's on his own...but I'm saying that with very little evidence other than my personal observations around my own home.

Mourning doves are renowned for making very flimsy nests...or renting an existing nest...or laying their eggs on the ground in a seemingly secure area. If this area in your yard is sheltered and relatively safe...it wouldn't be at all unusual for the female to use it as her nesting area. She usually lays two eggs...and can lay twice a year...depending on your geographic area.

Definitely...if you are able...protect the area from cats. This fledgling is developed enough to fly...but not with the strength or reactive time of an adult dove. Beyond that...just keep an eye out for a returning parent....either at dusk or dawn. You may get a pleasant surprise.

HTH

Anne
lisa_fla
Original Author
14 years ago
There are 2 babies. I'll keep an eye out for the parents and leave things be. They are pretty small but seem fine. Thank you so much!
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anne_ct
14 years ago
You're welcome, Lisa. Glad I could be of help. They're one of my favorite feathered friends. They're very gentle and parents are usually very caring. They're a little goofy with their first mating/parenting season...but it doesn't take them long to figure out the program.

I don't see the second fledgling in your photo...but that just goes to show how smart the parents were in locating them in this area. They're perfectly camoflaged.

Enjoy! I have a big maple tree next to my computer room window and for the last 6 Spring mating seasons...I've helped baby sit new fledglings. They're fascinating birds.

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stargazzer
14 years ago
I think the parents are there somewhere, so I wouldn't disturb them. I did pick up one years ago and put it under a bush so maybe a cat wouldn't see it, but wouldn't do it again.
coloredthumb
14 years ago
Mourning Doves nest on the ground often, usually in a sheltered area. The parents will keep away from them if they are afraid of being seen or danger is to close. Stay away from the nest. Once the fledglings are showing themselves outside the nest the parents stay away even more.
They will actually call the fledglings to come to them so the little ones will learn to find their own food and get stronger. Early mornings are the best time as the sun comes up and before dew dries to enjoy the show Mother Nature provided.

CT
patches_02
14 years ago
A dove we have here right now and have only saw her has made a nest between a bird house and a electric pole. It has a small roof overhang. The nest has to be very little because there is not much room.We have never saw a mate anywhere in the waiting. We have lawn chairs just below where she's at but our being there doesn't seem to bother her.
marilyn_c
14 years ago
I've never seen a dove nest on the ground but often their nests are so poorly made, they end up on the ground. I would protect them from dogs/cats/children and let the parents take care of them. They are old enough to fledge...leave the nest.
Birds don't just jump up and fly away....they take little short jump flights for a day or so, to strengthen their wings.

It's good that you are concerned for them, but they should be okay.

If you ever need to raise a baby dove or a pigeon, they are the only baby birds that don't eat insects. Mothers feed them on "milk" that they regurgitate directly into their mouths. When they are almost big enough to leave the nest, and if something happens and you need to feed them, some dry dog or cat food that is soaked in water until very soft is a fair alternative for a few days.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
Any update on the babies today? Are they maybe making the little short jump flights as described above?

Hopefully they have by now and are now able to fly up and away to safer places.

Sue