Mourning doves are a familiar sight in backyards across many regions, often observed diligently tending to their nests. People frequently notice these nests and may become concerned if they appear empty, leading to questions about the parents’ attentiveness. It is common to wonder if the young are left without care, but understanding the natural behaviors of these birds can often alleviate such worries.
Mourning Dove Parental Care
Mourning doves are dedicated parents, sharing responsibilities for their offspring from incubation through fledging. Both male and female doves participate in incubating the eggs, with the male typically taking the day shift and the female brooding during the night, ensuring the eggs are rarely unattended. This incubation period lasts approximately 14 days.
Once the young doves, known as squabs, hatch, both parents produce a nutrient-rich substance called “crop milk” to feed them during their first few days. This specialized crop milk is highly nutritious, packed with proteins and fats, supporting the rapid growth of the hatchlings. After about three to five days, the parents gradually introduce seeds into the squabs’ diet, transitioning them to solid food.
The nestling period typically lasts between 12 to 15 days. Mourning doves can raise multiple broods, sometimes up to five or six, within a single breeding season, highlighting their prolific reproductive strategy.
Why Nests May Seem Empty
A mourning dove nest might appear empty for several natural reasons, rather than indicating abandonment. Parents may briefly leave the nest to forage, and these foraging trips or the changeover between parents can be quick and go unnoticed.
As the nestlings grow and develop feathers, they become better at regulating their body temperature, reducing the need for constant brooding. This increased independence means parents may spend less time directly on the nest, though they still return to feed their young.
Another common scenario involves fledglings, young birds that have left the nest but are not yet fully independent. These fledglings, identifiable by their mostly feathered bodies and ability to hop or flutter, might be found on the ground or in nearby vegetation. While they are out of the nest, their parents continue to feed and care for them for several more weeks as they learn essential survival skills like flying and foraging. True nest abandonment is uncommon and usually occurs only if the nest is severely disturbed by predators, human activity, or harsh weather.
When to Intervene
When encountering a baby mourning dove alone, observing the situation from a distance is often the most appropriate first step. Intervention is frequently unnecessary and can sometimes be more harmful than helpful to the bird. A baby bird needs assistance if it shows visible signs of injury, such as bleeding, a drooping wing, or if it appears cold, lethargic, or has closed eyes.
If a nestling (characterized by very few feathers and an inability to walk or grip) is found out of the nest, it can often be gently placed back into its nest if intact and nearby. If a baby bird appears distressed or genuinely abandoned, contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator or humane society is advisable. Keep pets away from the area to prevent disturbance or harm.