Doves Nesting On Moms Porch

by Tina Kirkpatrick
(New Cumberland, PA)

Visiting my mother recently I saw a mourning dove nesting on top of a pillar under the porch roof.

Not unusual, though last year they selected her neighbors, while other birds chose moms.

There was a broken egg on the porch so I assumed she was sitting on one egg.

Adult and Baby Dove on Porch Nest

Mother Dove and Young on Porch Nest





What surprised us was the nest. It was actually a stack of three nests.

The bottom one had been used by house finches last year, then a robin built a nest over that one.

This year the mourning doves then built one of their flimsy nests on top of that!

No surprise an egg ended up on the porch, there wasn't much room up there!

Mom had planned on getting rid of the double nest, but those mourning doves got an early start, despite the continuing cold weather.

Two days later I stopped to photograph the dove sitting on her egg. I took a lot of photos, then returned the camera to the car.

When I came back to the porch I looked at the nest and thought I saw something.

On closer inspection, I saw a little black eye blinking! I got the camera again as the young bird poked his head out.

He pulled back in when I got close, under the protection of his parent's wing. But I saw he was a good size.

We were shocked since we thought there was only an egg in there since it was so early in the season.

We were watching the other birds, Finches and Robins checking out places for nests and just starting to build.

The next morning I stopped again at my moms.

The young bird was very active and fought his way out from under his mom this time to check us out, despite her trying to get him to get back under her wing.

She finally got him under her, but he started stretching and pushing, and out he popped again for more photo opportunities.

I heard the other parent calling, so we went into the house, and within seconds here came the daddy dove to trade places, and we watched as he fed the young bird, giving us more opportunity to see his size.

Again I was surprised as he was already similar in size of a dove I watched fledge last year!

On the third morning, I stopped just as the daddy dove came back.

This time they only fed the young bird a little bit and both parents left the nest!

They didn't go far, calling out to him often.

He moved in circles around his nest, then would stand on the edge and start to stretch his wings, look down, and quick huddle back in his nest.

He would then repeat his actions. One of the parents came back two more times to the nest.

Then it stayed relatively close, softly cooing and whistling along with the other parent.

At one point she perched on the neighbors porch post, and I saw her leaning her head against the wall each time she wanted to coo.

I assume she was merely getting her head/neck in the proper position to call encouragement to the young one.

The 4th morning the young dove was gone.

The female dove was on the neighbor's porch post, and the male was on the porch, watching as the female called to him and moved around on the post, seemingly to do a mating ritual.

The male finally flew to her and started to groom her and pick at her feathers.

At one point though the female seemed annoyed with his constant attention.

Then the male flew off, only to return a few minutes later with some sticks, stood on the female to hand it off, and took off again in search of more sticks.

The female walked around in circles on the sticks.

Finally, she flew off, meeting him on the ground before going out of my eye-sight.

My mother called me the next day to let me know they had returned to their original nest, having added a few more sticks.

It's hard to imagine that they can fit two eggs/young in there, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

A nearby Robin I'd been watching was still working on building her FIRST nest!

I took many photos and it's hard to choose just one!


birds and blooms magazine cover pioneer woman magazine cover people-magazine cover first for women magazine cover
Birds and Blooms Pioneer Woman People Magazine First For Women


Comments for Doves Nesting On Moms Porch

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 01, 2023
Don't Place Seed Near Nest
by: Gene

Louise,

Keep seed away from the nest as it will attract predators. No idea how you can keep them safe.

The male incubates in the day and the female incubates evening to mid-morning.

Jun 01, 2023
Mourning bird on mail box
by: Louise

This is the second time a mourning dove has laid eggs in a nest on my porch mailbox.

I want to know how to protect her. The last time something got her eggs. This time I'll keep the porch light off.

The letter carrier even put mail in the box and she still stayed in the nest. How do I protect her?

Is it okay to put bird seeds for her in the flower bed? I am happy it is in my space.

Apr 02, 2021
Nest in planter on my front porch
by: Anonymous

Just discovered a morning dove in her nest in my planter on my front porch. So excited to watch this beautiful development.

Jul 25, 2019
Baby Doves in July! So. California
by: Kathy White

Love the photos and comments. The reason I looked up Doves nesting is a dove was sitting in the middle of my hanging basket mid. July 2019.

Since it is well into summer I thought she was sick.

I just left her alone and when I was o/s wed. she had flown away, and was pleasantly surprised to see 2 good sized babies in the nest.

I have 2 dogs and a cat that go o/s on a reg. basis. I am concerned the babies can fly away safely. I shall keep an eye on my animals till then. Mom is back in the nest.

Jul 09, 2019
Morning Doves
by: Judy

I have a female sitting on the nest 24/7!!! Unless she leaves at night when we are sleeping. It does not seem the bother her when we sit with her on our small porch.

Jun 20, 2019
Clean
by: Gene

Clean it for hygiene reasons, both for you and the doves. They'll rebuild if they want to nest again.

Jun 20, 2019
Mourning dove nest in hanging planter
by: Anonymous

Mourning doves hatched 2 sets of two eggs in our porch planter this spring. Should we clean out the nest area or leave it as is?

May 27, 2016
Mourning Doves Nesting in a Hanging Basket
by: Anonymous

This husband and I were startled to discover a mourning dove had made a nest in a planter on our porch! And there are two eggs in it!

We were aware of some startled bird activity when we opened our front door, but we never dreamed the silly dove would persist in making a nest where two dogs loudly emerge multiple times a day!

My husband and I live near Los Angeles and are not accustomed to having nature so close by. We are absolutely charmed and have agreed to use only the back porch for a few weeks.

Let's hope the birds can deal with the mail delivery once per day!

Apr 03, 2010
Nesting Doves
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the information. We have a nest right by our front door and it has been occupied for the three years we have lived here.


Apr 29, 2009
Great Story!
by: Kris

I have been searching the internet for Mourning Dove information and stories and your post was great.

We now have a nest and 2 eggs we are waiting to hatch so I am trying to learn as much as possible as we watch them carefully day by day.

I too have been taking many photos but am waiting for just that right shot before I post my own story.

The process is quite amazing and now I, along with my girls (ages 3 & 5), have a new interest in bird watching! Thank you!

Apr 15, 2009
Give those Doves a hand!
by: Karen

Great pic and story!! Our morning Doves prefer our Blue Spruce!! However,the House Sparrows are determined to make a nest in my spring basket on the front door...they will not take no for an answer!

Apr 15, 2009
Nesting
by: Anonymous

That is a precious picture. I loved reading the story. It is amazing how wild life can add build onto existing nests.

I can't wait to see what happens next.

Apr 14, 2009
Wonderful picture!
by: Anonymous

I really enjoyed your story! How exciting to watch and wait.. and be ready with camera in tow!! GREAT SHOT!

I know, I have a ton of pictures too.. and it is really difficult to decide which picture to place.

Mine ALL have stories, like the one you've shared behind them! Can't wait to see something else!


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