Have 2 baby Morning Doves on Eastern Shore of Virginia -- anyone want to adopt?

[Kirk-ES]

Hello all.

The remnants of Hanna blew through yesterday and we watched a Dove nest fall out of the tree. The mother continued to sit in the tree so we decided to bring the babies into the house until the storm passed. A couple hours later I screwed a tupperware bowl to the old nest location and put the babies and nest back in place. The mother came back but sat on a branch 2 feet away from the nest.

As of this morning she was still on the branch and ignoring my improvised nest and her babies. We brought the babies back inside and they appear to be drinking water from a small cup and eating dog food gooo from a clenched hand.

The mother just sits on that branch and doesn't seem interested in building a new nest.

Any ideas?

We are one week away from moving so it will be difficult for us to nurse these two Doves. Is there anyone on the Eastern Shore of Virginia who would want to take care of them?

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by Kirk-ES

Hello all.

The remnants of Hanna blew through yesterday and we watched a Dove nest fall out of the tree. The mother continued to sit in the tree so we decided to bring the babies into the house until the storm passed. A couple hours later I screwed a tupperware bowl to the old nest location and put the babies and nest back in place. The mother came back but sat on a branch 2 feet away from the nest.

As of this morning she was still on the branch and ignoring my improvised nest and her babies. We brought the babies back inside and they appear to be drinking water from a small cup and eating dog food gooo from a clenched hand.

The mother just sits on that branch and doesn't seem interested in building a new nest.

Any ideas?

We are one week away from moving so it will be difficult for us to nurse these two Doves. Is there anyone on the Eastern Shore of Virginia who would want to take care of them?

Where exactly are you? Those babies actually need to go to a licensed rehabber. I've got to run but here's a web site where you can probably find someone to take them.
http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/

[Kirk-ES]

Thanks for the reply. There is nobody within 90 miles.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia is North of Virginia Beach and between the Chesapeake Bay and the Ocean. I am near the town of Accomac.

[Kirk-ES]

Good News! I moved the tupperware nest to the spot where the mother was sitting. After a couple hours, she's back in the nest with her babies.

Tupperware and cordless drills. What can't they do!

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for the update. I'm glad mom is taking care of her babies again.

[Birdmom4ever]

This is terrific news. The parents were probably dazed by the storm and didn't recognize their remodeled nest at first. Location is the main thing, though. If the nest is in its original location (or very close) they sometimes come back and happily they did this time. I'm so glad you were able to reunite the family.

[Kirk-ES]

We have seen the mother feeding and cleaning the babies so all looks well. We also saw the father hanging out and supervising.

A couple questions:

When I moved my homemade nest I put it on a 1.5" branch that is dead because that's where mama kept on sitting. It'll last at least a few more months but it's not optimal. The branch that the birds originally built on was about 3" wide and only 2 feet away.

I drilled several large holes in the bottom of the tuperware tub for drainage but now I'm thinking that it may hold too much moisture and possibly cause mold due to lack of ventilation.

Now that I know the parents will be back, would it be smart to put a nesting platform back on the original branch?

[Birdmom4ever]

My feeling is, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If the parents are using the nest where it is, I wouldn't add a platform or anything until after these babies have left the nest. The holes should be sufficient for drainage. Once the babies leave the nest, you can help the parents out by providing a platform if you like. As you have noticed, Mourning doves are not very good nest builders.

[Kirk-ES]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

My feeling is, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If the parents are using the nest where it is, I wouldn't add a platform or anything until after these babies have left the nest. The holes should be sufficient for drainage. Once the babies leave the nest, you can help the parents out by providing a platform if you like. As you have noticed, Mourning doves are not very good nest builders.

Good Point. That's what my wife said too.

No they aren't very good nest builders. This pair had 3 1/2 failed nests on the ground before we intervened.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll be back after the next storm ;-)