Single mom pigeon

[Vuky]

There's been some extra pigeon activity on my widowsill the past week, and now there are two eggs.
The thing that troubles me is that i haven't seen any shift changes, there's always just the same bird who sits on the eggs. is that possible?
I'm afraid that because it's only her that's doing all the work she's not getting enough food and water.
I put out some bread crumbs and water for her, and she flew away.
Came back about 15 min later.

My question is should i put out food and water for her? and how often?
And also, is it safe for the babies that the mother leaves them for such a long period of time (or is 15 min not that long?)

Thanks for your help.

P.S
She keeps staring at me. She's got her face almost permanently in the direction of my window, with her tail to the rest of the world, and it's a bit unsettling.

[Trees Gray]

The thing that troubles me is that i haven't seen any shift changes, there's always just the same bird who sits on the eggs. is that possible?

It is possible, but it is not likely she will remain if she is by herself, and has lost her spouse. She may give up the eggs in time.

I'm afraid that because it's only her that's doing all the work she's not getting enough food and water.
I put out some bread crumbs and water for her, and she flew away.
Came back about 15 min later.

Try a little bit of wild bird seed and a bowl of water, but just enough seed for her to eat in one sitting, about a few tablespoons twice a day (and no left overs), as it will attract more birds, that may be a danger to her and her little ones. I would not encourage her to stay if she has laid her eggs in unfriendly territory where predators have access, though.

And also, is it safe for the babies that the mother leaves them for such a long period of time (or is 15 min not that long?)

They really don't leave their eggs unless they are threatened. They do leave babies for hours at a time once they are around 10 to 14 days of age, but they do keep an eye on them from a distance

[Vuky]

Thank you for responding.

The area is alright i think, there's only just the ordinary birds (pigeons).

Does it have to be the bird seeds or would bread crumbs be enough?

[Vuky]

Here's a picture of it:



Now that i look at it in a photo it doesn't exactly look like a pigeon...

[Jaye]

It's a Mourning Dove.

The above suggestions are right. Birdseed is better than just breadcrumbs...Mourning Doves, in some places, aren't as good at scouring for scraps as Feral Pigeons are...so birdseed is a better choice. Justa small bag, should be less than $5.

If she spooks and comes back quickly (15 mins is OK...she was probably nearby looking at the nest)...the eggs will be fine.

Thanks for helping ! Hope the sitting is successful...Mourning doves grow fast and fledge quickly....much faster than Pigeons...I think only in about 2-3 weeks a baby Dove will fledge.

One more thing....just take a look and see if the location is predator proof (cats, particularly).

Keep us posted.

[Vuky]

it's a safe location. i have no pets, and I'm on the first floor. And I've never seen any big sized birds flying around.

She hasn't had any of the food or the water. The food i can understand, but she should at least want to drink.

I don't know where there's a pet shop around here, no where close I'm sure of that. Do they sell bird seeds in super markets? I know I've seen dog & cat food there.

[pidge-girl]

Yes most super markets sell bird seed. wild bird seed is best from there, but small cage bird seed will do.
It may be the dad that you see, females usuallly take the night shift on the eggs and the two may be hard to distinguish because thay are very similer looking.
Thank you for helping out with the food and water but bread is not a good choice for them, especially while on the nest and needing extra nutrition.
Very cute little nest though! Is it built in a planter?

[Vuky]

Yes most super markets sell bird seed. wild bird seed is best from there, but small cage bird seed will do.

Thanks. I'll go and see soon as day breaks.

It may be the dad that you see, females usuallly take the night shift on the eggs and the two may be hard to distinguish because thay are very similer looking.

Oh, i hope that's really the case. it would be sad if the eggs get abandoned.

Very cute little nest though! Is it built in a planter?

yeah I never water my plants, so there's nothing but hard soil there now (and the nest).

[pidge-girl]

Ok sounds good
I had a male pigeon in my loft a few years ago and his mate got killed by a hawk one morning, he looked sooooo sad, (pigeons mate for life, and these two had been together six years) but it seemed the only thing that kept him going was their babies they had.. He raised them all on his own, he was such a great dad. he never looked happy, but he kept them warm at night and fed them all day, as soon as they left the nest he stopped eating, he would drink water, but didn't eat at all. he spent all day looking up at the sky from the corner of my loft. I would feed him, but he just looked so sad, like he felt the babies were the only reason to live after he lost her, he just gave up on life, one morning I went out and he was in his same spot as always but he had died in the night.
I still have his babies. He was a sweet heart and took care of them so well. But I bet your little mourning dove mama is just out flying and enjoying life and comes back to the nest at dusk to switch with him and will be happy to see seed in the morning
Thanks again for helping them out! and post pictures once the babies hatch!

[Vuky]

The eggs are gone!
I woke up this morning and there was this huge bird flying around, i shooed it away thinking i did good, but then i looked closer and saw the eggs were gone!
I swear i didn't know there were birds like that in the neighborhood, I've never seen one in my life.
I feel so bad.
I'm going to remove those damn planters and hopefully no other bird will try and have their family on my windowsill again.

I feel really terrible.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by Vuky

The eggs are gone!
I woke up this morning and there was this huge bird flying around, i shooed it away thinking i did good, but then i looked closer and saw the eggs were gone!
I swear i didn't know there were birds like that in the neighborhood, I've never seen one in my life.
I feel so bad.
I'm going to remove those damn planters and hopefully no other bird will try and have their family on my windowsill again.

I feel really terrible.

the natural world can seem heartless, but it is natural. survival of the fittest. they will lay more in another location that hopefully is safer or hidden.

[maryjane]

I'm sorry that happened, please don't feel too bad as it seems there was nothing YOU could have done to avoid it. I wouldn't think a hawk would come down and eat the eggs, but a crow might, or a rat--though the rat would likely break them all over. To have both gone I would think a crow or even a neighbor's dog if it had access. I hope they nest nearby again in a safer place so you can continue to enjoy them.

[Vuky]

I feel like it was my fault though.
When i left food for the birds, they wouldn't eat it straight away. So I would just leave it there for them for later. (in case they couldn't do it while i was around, and would if i was gone).
That may have attracted the predator.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by Vuky

I feel like it was my fault though.
When i left food for the birds, they wouldn't eat it straight away. So I would just leave it there for them for later. (in case they couldn't do it while i was around, and would if i was gone).
That may have attracted the predator.

could be or could not be.???you may never know....I don't see anything wrong with feeding the birds, a bird feeder off the ground works best to keep critters out of it, perhaps you can hang one off your window and the doves will visit it. and other wonderful birds too.