Sunday, April 26, 2015

Sunday Snapshot ... Not Such a Bird Brain After All

Turns out, the Mourning Doves that were in my greenhouse last weekend weren't stuck in there after all.  (That post is HERE.)



They have built a nest in there, on top of one of the salvaged columns that I have leaning into one of the corners, way up near the ceiling.  He/She is up there, keeping an eye on me as I try to get a decent photo without frightening him/her.




The two of them have been easily spooked.  When they panic, they get disoriented and don't fly right out the open door like they should.  That's what must have happened last weekend, when it appeared that the one bird was stuck.  My only worry at this point is for when the babies are ready to fledge in a few weeks ... will the parents know well enough by then where the door is and how to reliably get out?  I guess we will see how it goes when that time comes.

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Sunday Snapshots are posts that are devoted to a moment in time that represents a slice of life in Hartwood, or wherever else I happen to be.

15 comments:

  1. Expectant parents do strange things--it appears to be a great nesting spot! Look out for a big mess in there! I've had doves nest in the flower baskets and whew they are messy but so sweet to watch. ♥

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    1. It's already a mess in there, with all of my crap, so a little bit of bird doo won't be bad. I can clean it up pretty easily. I've never noticed dove nests before ... I was hoping they'd be tidy parents like Carolina Wrens, instead of messy ones like House Finches. Oh well.

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  2. As much as I LOVE mourning doves they are the dumbest birds....lol Did you ever take a good look at their nests? They barely hold apart until their babies fly away. My understanding is that they were ground birds who learned to go "up" to protect their young...but still make ground sorts of nests. xo Diana

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    1. It's gonna take a ladder to get a good look at the nest, and I can do that later. For dumb birds, it's gonna take a lot to surpass the starlings that keep nesting in our downspouts. This morning, after yesterday's storm, I found three eggs and a whole lot of nesting material that washed out into the yard.

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  3. Oh no!
    Well, at least they are safe in there for the time being.
    And if they can't figure out the door I know you will be out there directing traffic.
    Love this post and the fact that you have such a kind heart.
    xo

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    1. I think the doves will be fine ... parents AND babies. I have avoided going near the greenhouse since I found the nest a few days ago. I will leave them in peace.

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  4. Guess you will just have to worry a little more, until the babies fledge and figure a way out!

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    1. I'm going to trust that the bird brain parents will know what to do. The nest is right beside the door, and a few window panes are missing nearby, so everything should be okay.

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  5. Oh, my! Doves are NOT the brightest, are they? They always nest in the craziest places in our yard, and they have messy messy nests. But they seem to be good parents who dote on their (messy) nest as they watch over their eggs. Their sweet "cooing" is fun to hear, too.

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    1. I guess I will soon find out whether doves are as messy as House Finches. They are the worst I have ever had, in terms of housekeeping. Barn Swallows are just as bad, now that I think of it.

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  6. You'll have to keep an eye on them! lol We have doves that eat under our feeders. Enjoy your week! Hugs, Diane

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    1. I love doves because they’re such gentle birds. Carolina Wrens are my favorites, tho.

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  7. Oh this is very exciting. Not too many mourning doves here but lots of robins. They love following me around the garden looking for worms. I hope we get to see the babies.

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    1. Hi, Loi. We have multiple pairs of doves out here in the country (and Robins, and Wrens, and Starlings, and Mockingbirds, etc.) One pair of nesting Mockingbirds threatened to disrupt our daughter’s wedding reception four years ago. I’m pretty sure that I can’t stand not knowing what’s going on in the nest, so count on my getting a ladder and checking out the situation in the next week or so.

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  8. I hope that they keep safe, they little ones will need them.
    Amalia
    xo

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