Baby doves undergo a rapid transformation from helpless hatchlings to capable fledglings, spending a relatively short time within their nests before venturing out into the world. Understanding this developmental journey provides insight into the behaviors of these common birds.
The Nesting Period Timeline
Baby doves, particularly Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, remain in the nest for a brief but intensive period. Mourning Dove chicks, often called squabs, typically fledge between 12 to 15 days after hatching. Eurasian Collared Doves have a similar nestling period, with young fledging around 15 to 19 days. This short nesting duration is characteristic of doves, allowing them to raise multiple broods, sometimes up to five or six, within a single breeding season.
Inside the Nest Key Milestones
Upon hatching, baby doves are altricial, with closed eyes and only a sparse covering of down. Their skin is dark, and they are unable to regulate their own body temperature, relying completely on their parents for warmth and protection. During the first few days, both parents feed the hatchlings a nutrient-rich substance called “crop milk,” which allows for rapid growth.
Within about a week, the hatchlings’ eyes begin to open, and pin feathers start to emerge, replacing the initial down. By 10 to 12 days old, most of their body is covered in developing feathers, although they may still have some down or appear speckled. During this time, they become more active, moving around the nest and beginning to exercise their wings with short flapping motions, preparing for their eventual departure.
Life Beyond the Nest
Fledging marks the time when young doves leave the nest, but it does not signify immediate independence. After leaving the nest, young doves are still primarily dependent on their parents for food and guidance. They often remain in the vicinity of the nest for another one to two weeks, continuing to be fed by the adult male dove while the female may prepare for another brood.
During this post-fledging period, the young birds practice their flight skills, initially making clumsy attempts. They learn essential survival behaviors such as foraging for seeds and avoiding predators, with parents continuing to provide sustenance and protection as they transition to full independence around 30 to 35 days after hatching.
When to Assist a Baby Dove
Encountering a baby dove outside its nest often prompts concern, but intervention is not always necessary. A “nestling” is a very young bird with little to no feathers that is too young to be out of the nest. If an uninjured nestling is found on the ground, and its nest is located nearby, it can often be gently returned to the nest. The common belief that parent birds will reject their young if touched by humans is a myth.
A “fledgling,” on the other hand, is a more developed young bird with most of its feathers, capable of hopping and making short flights, even if it appears clumsy. It is common for fledglings to be on the ground as they learn to fly, with parents typically nearby, continuing to care for them. Intervention is generally only required if the bird is visibly injured, caught by a cat, or in immediate danger. Contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator is recommended in such cases.