Baby Birds Born In Hanging Pot Plant

by Daniel - Sacramento CA

A few weeks ago while cleaning up my back patio and watering some plants, I came across a mourning dove's nest that had appeared inside one of my hanging pots.

I almost watered the nest but not before I discovered two tiny white eggs laying there.

At first I was not sure what to do so I called over my mom and brother so they could also see the nest.

Afterwards I took it upon myself to learn what kind of bird had nested in my back patio.

I found out a lot of information about the behavior and living style of these incredible animals that made there home in one of my hanging pot plants.

So over the few days reading article after article about these birds trying to find the best way to take care of these birds.

I decided the best way to do so was to keep a watch out on the nest, limit my time on the patio so the family could develop in a natural way.

One of the greater challenges was making sure the neighbors cats would not terrorized the poor little creatures.

Since I live in a apartment complex surrounded by cat & dog owners I had to make sure that the nest was safely guarded.

I went and bought a spray bottle and just kept watch from the windows, it's the only thing I could do.

After about a week & half since discovering the nest the eggs hatched into two cute little birds.

I discovered this while chasing away a cat from my patio.

I went and checked the nest to make sure
everything was alright since the dad bird was chased away by the cat.

There sat two little baby birds, I have never been this close to something like this.

I knew I had to keep more watch over the nest now that they have hatched but again I could only watch the nest and make sure no dangers were sneaking around.

Then a few rainy days came along and it was sad watching the family of birds who were perched on my back patio get wet, but the dad bird covered the little ones making sure that he was the only one to get wet not the little ones.

I sat there smiling as I watched this incredible sight unfold.

I woke up today( June 30 2011) to find out the whole family flew off to start their second part of parenting.

Something I actually wanted to see for myself but missed.

I'm saddened by the fact that the little bird family that I have kept watch over for these past 3 or 4 weeks had finally left my back patio.

They became quit popular around my little apartment where the neighbors little one's would stop by an ask if they could see the nest themselves.

So I'm not the only one saddened by the leaving of them even my friends on facebook have some what of a sad face on about this since I was sharing picture's I had taken of the development of the nest.

We all learned a lot from this event that I never knew about mourning doves before.

I'm glad to see that the family of birds that called my hanging pot plant in my back a patio home for almost a month are now out there living their little lives.

I plus many others got to witness this feat of nature that took place.

I hope they come back next year.

Birds and Blooms	Pioneer Woman	People Magazine	First For Women