Do Doves Leave Their Babies Unattended?

Many people wonder if doves abandon their young, a concern often arising from observing young doves in seemingly unsupervised situations. Understanding their unique parenting behaviors clarifies this widespread query and reveals their dedicated approach to raising offspring.

Understanding Dove Parental Care

Doves are attentive parents, with both male and female birds sharing nesting, incubation, and feeding responsibilities. Mourning doves construct flimsy nests from twigs and grass, typically in trees or shrubs, or sometimes on the ground or structures. The female usually lays two white eggs. Both parents take turns incubating for about 14 days, with the male often incubating during the day and the female at night. The nest is rarely left unattended during this period.

After hatching, altricial young, known as squabs, are helpless, with closed eyes and sparse downy feathers. Both parents feed squabs a specialized, nutrient-rich “crop milk,” secreted from the lining of their crop. This high-protein, high-fat substance sustains hatchlings for their first few days, after which parents gradually introduce regurgitated seeds. Young doves grow rapidly, often doubling in size daily, and are ready to leave the nest typically around 12 to 15 days after hatching.

Why Young Doves May Appear Unattended

Despite parental devotion, young doves may seem abandoned due to specific behaviors and rapid development. Mourning dove parents leave the nest for short periods to forage, but generally return to care for offspring. Nests are often well-camouflaged, making it difficult for observers to spot a parent even when one is nearby. This natural camouflage contributes to the misconception that the young are alone.

Young doves often appear unattended due to fledgling behavior. Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest but cannot yet fly proficiently. Mourning dove fledglings leave the nest, often before they can fly strongly, and may spend time on the ground or in low vegetation. During this period, parents continue to feed and monitor them from a distance, teaching essential survival skills like foraging and avoiding predators.

What to Do When You Find a Young Dove

If you encounter a young dove, determine if it is a nestling or a fledgling before deciding on a course of action. Nestlings are very young birds, typically featherless or with sparse feathers, and are too young to be out of the nest. If you find a nestling on the ground, and the nest is safely accessible, you can gently place it back. It is a myth that parent birds will reject their young if touched by humans.

Fledglings, by contrast, are mostly feathered and can hop or walk, though they may not fly well. If a fledgling appears unharmed and is in a safe location, it is best to observe it from a distance. Its parents are likely nearby, continuing to provide care. Intervention may be necessary if the bird is visibly injured, appears ill, or is in danger from predators or traffic. In such cases, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Avoid attempting to feed or care for the bird yourself, as wild birds have specific dietary and environmental needs difficult for untrained individuals to meet. Resources for finding a wildlife rehabilitator are often available through state wildlife agencies or local humane societies.