Doves on TOP of small finch house

by Edie Goodban
(Redding, Ca, US)

We hung out a small birdhouse for house finches. It has a peaked roof and is hung up against a porch pillar. A pair of mourning doves decided to use the roof to build a nest. They had twigs sticking out into space, but persisted!

The nest was completed and the birds began setting on it. The location is right outside our bedroom sliding door, and they can see us and we can watch them. My husband can even water the patio plants by moving slowly and carefully, and avoiding looking directly at them.

Finally the eggs hatched. We could barely stand to watch as the babies hung onto the little nest, sometimes getting their balance by flapping a little wing. It was nerve wracking, more for us than for them!

In a couple weeks the fledgings took off, after having survived the crowded nest on the little birdhouse roof. (photo of one parent and babies attached)

We wanted to remove the birdhouse before they started again, but in only one day mom and dad were repairing the nest and starting another batch! I guess we'll just hold our breath and hope no one falls out this time. They are wonderful to watch, though, and we are hoping for another successful brood.