Mourning Dove in the Crepe Mrytle

by Heidi B.
(Ponca City, OK)

Momma and baby

This year is the beginning of my birdwatching journey and I have been trying to create a bird haven in my backyard.

I have purchased a few feeders and birdbaths and have planted vegetation to entice them to spend time in my area. My husband even bought me a Oklahoma bird guide book.

I have been having a great time trying to identify all the different birds I see and what their habits are.

A few weeks ago I walked out my front door and was admiring the new blooms on my Crepe Mrytle tree.(Yes, I know they are usually shrubs, but ours was pruned to grow into a tree of approximately 14 feet tall) I looked up, and to my surprise, there was a mourning dove perched in a nest.

I called my hubby out to look at it. He was amazed that it had made a nest so close to the front door.

The nest looked so flimsy that I was nervous that a good Oklahoma wind would blow it right out of the branches. This peaked my curiosity so onto the internet I went.

So much information.....I found out that they only lay two eggs in a brood and the young leaves the nest after 12-14 days. WOW!! Seems like such a short time with mom and dad.

The male sits on the nest during the day and the female trades out for the night shift. Way to go Dad:)

We have been watching the nest for the last 10 days. Today when I walked outside there was evidence of birds overhead by way of bird droppings all over the sidewalk below the nest.

I looked up and there they were, the adult and the two babies. I worried that maybe they might get spooked as I swept off the walk but they never flinched.

The nest is only about eight feet off the ground. I decided to push my luck. Since the nest was above my head, I pulled a patio chair over closer to get a better look. They were too cute to pass up a picture.

I was able to get about three feet away from them and they never moved. Above is a picture I took with my phone.