Penny and Benny

by Phyllis
(NY, NY)

Penny and Benny

I observed a pair of mourning doves hanging out on the fire escape across the way from my 6th floor apartment in Greenwich Village.

The sound of their gentle call alerted me to their presence. I began to photograph them and look for them daily. I named them Penny and Benny.

After about a month or so while my son and daughter-in-law were visiting, the doves began to make their nest. The nest was quite flimsy just as I learned after reading about their nesting habits.

But they did have some protection from a large flower pot that was empty at the corner of the fire escape. Finally it was evident that the egg or eggs had hatched although I couldn't see much.

For a long while I thought there was only one squab, but much to my surprise, I saw there were two as they both had their beaks down their parent's throat getting their pigeon milk.



Today I saw that for the first time neither parent was at the nest for awhile. They take turns caring for the squabs. Today I saw the whole family together.



It's been a great experience for me learning about life through the life of the doves. I'm going to miss them when they're gone.

Benny was cooing today, and it sounded like he was trying to coax one of the squabs out of the nest.

They're about ready to start their lives outside the nest. They didn't seem that anxious to go.


Squabs Step Out Of Their Nest

Penny and Benny's babies are growing up and venturing out of their nest onto the fire escape. Their feet are not that secure and sometimes miss the fire escape and go between the iron slats. They are a real cute pair!