New Life

by Stella T.
(Rcho Cucamonga,CA)

I was surprised to see the first doves nesting outside my front door. Some days they could both be seen by the nest and others only 1 dove was in the nest.

One of the doves was skittish and flew off as soon as I opened the front door which scared the daylights out of me at first.

I probably wouldn't have noticed the nest except that one day there was a small cracked bird egg on the front patio floor. That's when I looked up and saw the doves.

They picked a nice nesting area there because it is protected from wind and sun and can get rather warm since the front door area is facing west.

After the first baby dove flew off on its own, I still spotted it hanging around but I haven't seen it lately.

Currently, the doves are on their 2nd brood of 2 babies. Very Cute. I am attaching a picture of one of the parents and the 2 babies. I have to figure out a way to set up a feeding area for them.

I'll miss them if they leave since I say Good Morning and Good Night to them each day.

Update on New Life

by Stella
(Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

The two babies are growing so fast!

I found a nice blue bird bath for my front planter area and decided to put a small running water bamboo feature in it since I read that Mourning Doves like running water.

I also put up a hanging bird feeder with a dove recipe feed for them. I think they like it because they seem to hanging out a little more than before!

Here are a couple of new pictures. I have a feeling the babies will be flying off soon, but maybe they will return to their new safe haven until they find a new one of their own.

Visitors Comments

Average Rating 5 Stars

Sep 08, 2010
Rating 5 Stars

So Cute!
by: Kelly & Sammy

Sammy and I love looking at the pictures and making birdie sounds as we talk about the baby doves at Auntie's house! We love it! xoxox

Sep 06, 2010
Rating 5 Star
Two babies
by: Carolyn

It's wonderful to see the two little ones beside their parent - what a great photo! Thank you so much for sharing; pictures truly add to the enjoyment for others. Thanks again!

Sep 06, 2010
Rating 5 Stars
Doves
by: Marianne

Thanks for sharing your story. What a great picture with the two little ones peering over the edge. Doves are just wonderful and in your good hands they will thrive.

A Dove Story

by AnnMarie
(Michigan)

We have lived in our house going on 11 years. Every Spring the Doves nest in one of my hanging pots just a few feet off my back porch. I call this a Dove story because before we owned the house my mother did, and the Doves came every year.

These Doves are not picky, I even make their basket for them (so they don't ruin my flowering ones) with a few leaves and branches from the yard.

They don't care, they still nest and usually twice from early spring to late June. We do enjoy watching them switch duties and then feed their chicks. They don't mind sharing our deck with us at all. Even our dog doesn't seem bothered by them...just part of his yard.

Here are a few picks

Our Spring Babies 2010

by Dan & Debbie Ventrola
(Perkasie, PA)

We had just planted flowers for the Spring/Summer season. On our porch we added a beautiful bright hanging plant to add to the color of the season.

Within two days of the plant being on our porch, we noticed the top was separated. We climbed up on a chair and took a look inside. Sure enough, a nest had been started. So, we let nature takes it's course.

Our babies were born on April 29, 2010. Every day we would check to see if the eggs hatched yet. Surprisingly enough, Mom & Dad Dove were not afraid of us at all. They let us approach the nest every day. We went in and out of our house. They had no problem with our dog barking, we even weeded and spread mulch and they didn't flinch.

Once the eggs hatched, it was awesome to watch. Before we looked up information on your website, we thought that one dove was with the nest all the time. It was really neat to learn that both parents are involved in the parenting. So, every day we watched them grow and watched their habits. It was a really cool experience.

The parents started leaving the babies alone for a few hours each day, a few days before they left the nest. We took a lot of pictures. I will attached a few with this story. The babies left the nest on May 14th.

My husband and I were hoping to be watching when they left, but they flew away while we were having dinner. We have seen them since. We have bird feeders in our backyard and they have come back to eat. Great experience.

Dove Friendship

by Peggy C. Skinner
(Ontario, Canada)

A mourning dove fell from a nest in the maple in our backyard. The parents hung around but I thought I would set something up to protect him from predators.

I placed a patio umbrella in the far corner, near the nest and hung a plant pot, with lots of dirt in it, under the umbrella.

His parents could easily access him from where they sat on our fence yet no overhead predators could see him. I put seed and fresh water in the pot daily. I handled him and took many photos of his progress. The parents stayed and continued to bring him food as well.

After 2 weeks he was attempting to fly. I kept swooping him into the air but still low to the ground so he wouldn't hurt himself if he stumbled.

Eventually he started to fly about the yard. And each night I returned him to the pot. In the morning I would find him on the ground again. Needless to say my cats were not allowed in the backyard at this time. They were not amused at being housebound.

One day we went to the Toronto Zoo and when we returned late evening, he was gone, nowhere around. I searched everyday for him to no avail.

I was heartbroken, thinking a predator may have got a hold of him. I could only hope that he had gained the strength and ability to fly and stay safe. Each and everyday I went outside in hopes he had returned even though I knew it was foolish to believe a wild bird would come back.

About 2 weeks after he had disappeared. my husband was mowing the back lawn and called me outside. He said, "I think your dove is back". I had named him 'Lovey Dovey' and called him that each time I approached him. I spoke to him constantly during the time he was with me.

When I saw the dove on the fence, I called out, "Lovey Dovey, is that you?" He tilted his head toward my voice.

I couldn't believe it might be him. I sat on the grass and called again. He came over from the fence and sat on the grass a few feet from me. He continued to walk towards me slowly and then flew onto my shoulder and then into my lap.

He stayed and allowed me to pet him. After a visit of about 20 minutes he flew back to the fence and sat for awhile. I kept talking to him and eventually he turned and flew away as I called out my goodbyes.

It was the most amazing experience and had a profound effect on me. I took photos from when he was nothing but quills and fluff to when he came back to visit. The posted pic is of his return.

Dove Nesting; Spiritual Reassurance

by Catherine Lake
(Merced, CA)

Three years ago a pair of morning doves built their nest in our back yard arbor which is less than 6 feet from our kitchen sliding glass door. They raised their young. What amazed us is we have 3 small dogs and are very active, using the sliding glass door into the back yard continuously daily.

A pair of morning doves came back a few weeks ago to the very same spot on the arbor. The arbor is about 24 feet in length and they built in the exact same spot. We water with a sprinkler daily.

We have two very large elevated bird feeders on both ends of the back yard as well. Reading this article made us realize why they choose this spot. They have ample food and water sources available. They also are high off the ground.

We surely did think the mother was sitting relentlessly on her eggs and now babies. It seemed improbable, but never crossed our minds that the male was switching out as the "sitter".

We truly enjoyed this article. I have been fascinated with these doves both times they Graced us with their nesting. We feel it is a Spiritual sign, a reassurance from the Great One that patience, perseverance, and endurance will bring our goal to fruition.

Our most sincere thanks for the article.