Mournng Doves Nesting on Entry Lamp

by Heli Perrett
(Oakland, CA)

We had enjoyed the cooing of the doves in front of our house. Then some six weeks ago, we noticed a mourning dove sitting on top of our approximately 9" diameter antique entry lamp.

Soon afterward, we were amazed to see four mourning doves crowded on top - two adults and two babies.

The iron frame of the lamp slopes down to the center, which would ensure that the eggs did not roll out while they were being hatched. The roof overhang, partly covered by vines, provides protection from predators.

The doves have gathered a few token twigs and other materials to make it more like a nest, but not much. Basically, they are nesting on a circle of iron, which is warmed by the lamp during the night.

Usually the adults took turns, but there were a few occasions when they all stayed together up there for hours.

The entry door almost directly underneath the lamp is used constantly as we and visitors enter and leave the house, and is usually slammed shut because it is old and heavy.

Our post slot is also right underneath it. The height is only about 10' from the ground. But our house, on a relatively quiet street, is surrounded by large trees, and I am in the habit of putting birdseed on the window ledge of my study which is just near the nest.

Then one day the young doves were gone, and we thought that was the end of it. But the adult (female or male) stayed on.

To my surprise, we saw two eggs in the nest only a matter of a few weeks after the previous young had left. Now, we again have two more baby mourning doves up there, but we never see four doves together any more.

The adult was away about three hours today, leaving the young completely alone. They just sat there, side by side, perfectly still, unconcerned, even when we changed the light bulb in the lamp, within inches of them.

I am concerned that the cat I saw hovering around has captured the other adult dove.

In the meantime, we are getting used to our new family members and often establish eye contact with the adult dove.

We watch it feeding the young, fluff its feathers, occasionally change position from one side of the lamp to the other. They should be leaving in about a week.

Will there be more?

Of course, the lamp looks a mess, as does our entry, but I hope they will continue to use it.