Goodbye Sacha (pics and video)

[Anton]

Sacha is a baby dove that was given to me by a PE teacher who found it in the school where we both work. In the beginning I didn’t know whether it was a dove or not. I posted a thread called “Is This a Dove?” and Phil recognized it as a baby mourning dove.

My wife and I alternated hand feeding it for about 2 months. I would wake up in the morning at 4:30 a.m. to feed it before going to work at 5:00 a.m.

The dove was kept free out of the cage most of the day. It became so attached to me that whenever I patted the top of my head and made a certain sound, it would fly and come to me. Its favorite place was to sit on top of my head.

I understood that sooner or later, I would have to release it because mourning doves are protected, but I was so worried that it might not survive on its own.

I used to take the dove (inside the cage) and put it in various locations in the backyard so that it would get acquainted with the area hoping that someday after its release it would be able to come back if it wanted to.

Last week, I had the dove in the backyard and decided to take it out of the cage, put it on my hand and walk inside the house. While I was about to enter the house, Sacha flew right of my hand and was gone. It didn’t even stop at any of the nearby trees; it kept flying until it disappeared. I was in shock and heart broken. My wife and my kids cried that night and still whenever they see its pictures.

Yesterday, I was driving near my home with my daughter. I saw a dove on the street that looked like Sacha. I stopped the car, got out, tapped on my head and made the sounds, but the dove flew away; it wasn’t Sacha. Across the street there was a neighbor watching me from her garage!

Please click below to see photos of Sacha. I also uploaded my video clip when I was hand-feeding Sacha on youtube.com, please click the link to see it.



http://boktor.us/Doves/Sacha/Sacha.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0znqWNoN4rY

[Lady Tarheel]

Hi Anton

In looking at Sacha's pictures, you can tell she was well cared for and loved by your family. Doves, to me, are different from pigeons in that they never quite lose their wildness. They can be so very sweet and have such endearing qualities but even the tamest ones can be "spooked" so easily. I think that is probably what happened with your Sacha.

I also think she will be fine. Your taking her out and letting her see her surroundings will help her a lot. She just kinda made the release decision herself.

Don't be surprised though if you're out in the yard in the next week or so and she lands on you. Just make sure you keep plenty of seed out in case she does come back to feed.

[Rockie]

Anton, your Sacha is beautiful. She was so lucky to have had your help and love. I was glad to read what Maggie said about doves being more "wild" and hope she comes back for a visit to give you peace of mind. It's so hard to give them up after getting so attached...maybe she was making it easier for you by making the leap into freedom herself.

[Charis]

It's so sad.
I remember when a similar thing happened to my Izzy, a brown headed, one footed Cowbird. Izzy returned in the most remarkable way. The same could happen to you. For week and months I looked for him every where I went.

[maryjane]

She is a beauty, and I'm sure she is doing fine, and may even find you again. I remember when my first dove, Beakers, got out of the house (a friend accidentally left the door open and she had free reign of the house). I spent the day up on the roof of our apartment building with a homemade net and my fingers crossed. She teased me all day, getting close enough to almost get and then hopping away. Finally I was able to catch her and we watched the door more carefully after that. Try not to worry about your dove, and we will all be thinking of her.