City Doves Hatch on our Window Ledge

by Norma Klau
(N.Y.C., N.Y., USA)

One day I was in a "let me air out the apartment" mood. I opened one of the bedroom windows, forgetting that there was a safety lock. The window would only open a few inches and then it hit it's limit and made a loud "bang". Suddenly this very pretty but startled bird flew away. I don't know who was more surprised; the dove or me.

I looked down and there was this little nest with a brown feathery circle and black skinny looking legs all curled up among some shells. I could see through the glass that it was breathing. I felt terrible, thinking the mother was so frightened by me that she abandoned the baby dove.

I continued to do my chores, while constantly hoping the dove would return. As I folded my laundry on the bed I looked out and saw this lovely looking bird walk along the ledge to return to the nest--was I happy.

These Mourning Doves have nested right outside our bedroom window. I thought at first it was just the one dove who I adoringly named "Silvia". Before long "Harold", her mate, arrived and looked rather annoyed every time I tried to peek at them through the window blinds- as one or the other busily fed the baby (who I have named "Ernest").

I worry about them when it rains but they seem to be fine. I am now wondering what will happen when the window washer comes along.

Hopefully little Ernest will fly off toward Central Park with his parents, Silvia and Harold by then. I'm thinking- will this be a regular maternity ledge or was this a one time event?