Leaving The Nest

by Heli Perrett
(Oakland, CA)

This is an update on an earlier post which described the mourning doves nesting (for the second time) on top of our iron entry lamp.

In spite of the uncomfortable conditions, all seemed to go well. As we walked by constantly, we watched the parent birds come and go, feed the nestlings, and watched them develop

I found it interesting that as the two young grew, the parents began to leave them alone, progressively for longer periods of time. But the parent would only fly to a branch about twenty feet away, and sit there, keeping an eye on them.

I also noticed that the two young developed unevenly. Clearly one was larger, more active and its eyes seemed brighter. It would practice raising its wings, whereas the other one would just sit there.

The day they left, there was a feeling of change in the air. Both parents were in attendance on the branch across the path, which was unusual, both keeping an eye on the nestlings.

The young birds also seemed more excited, constantly peering over the edge of the lamp to see how far below the ground was.

I left for a few minutes, and when I came back, they were on the ground below. The mother (or was it the father?) was beside them, giving them an encouraging poke as if to say 'Fine..get on with it. You are on your own now.' With that, it flew off - no longer to the nearby branch but farther away, out of sight.

The two young birds started practicing walking around. The more adventurous one tried to climb up a rise on the ground, and slid down on its belly, while the other watched. But they stayed close to each other, and when one left, would return in a few minutes, to sit side by side.

I stood watching over them, nervous that a cat or some other animal would come by, but eventually had to leave. Hopefully, they will survive. I miss the birds.

Every time I enter the house or pass in the hallway, I glance up to see if the parent doves have returned for the third time.

They have had two lots of young now. Will they come back for a third time? I am leaving the few twigs there, just in case.