Last night we had a very strong windstorm, and this morning, my husband noticed a Mourning Dove nest lying on the ground under one of the Mesquite trees. Nearby on the hot gravel sat two nestlings, with the parent near them. I went out to look, and knew as the temperatures rose, the gravel would heat up to extreme temperatures. (It's supposed to reach 115 degrees today, and the humidity is high because of cloud cover.)
I came in and did some research on rescuing baby birds, and found out the only thing to do for them at this age is to put the original nest into a hanging basket, put the babies in it and securely hang the basket in the tree where the nest had been. Contrary to popular belief, parents do not reject baby birds because they have a "human smell", actually, birds have a poor sense of smell. If the parents can find the babies, odds are they will continue to care for them.
I'll be watching the rest of the day to see if a parent returns to the basket. If not, the article I read said to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Since doves are so prolific here, the odds that they will take a couple of nestling doves is remote, so I'll just have to see if nature provides. This is the sad side of animal and bird wildlife. A person can only do so much, and at least I've done something. The thought of letting those babies roast on the gravel was more than I could deal with.
6 comments:
Awww...at least you are trying to help. Hope they make it.
You softee you.
I probably would have done the same thing... putting the babies in a hanging basket is a fairly well known trick around here, with our big boomer storms coupled with the seeming inability of those birds to make a secure nest... it seems to work pretty well... cross your fingers and hope for the best...
I did not know about the hanging basket trick. Thank you for the information.
Wow, the info you can find on the internet! This sounds like such a simple idea, but I would never have thought of it. Will try to remember. :) Hope they make it. I would think with a parent close by they have a good chance. And yes, you DID do something!
I will also keep my fingers crossed and hope the little doves will survive, but I am confident they will, as they show well developped feathers and the parents are still there.Will you show us your selfmade hanging basket :-)) ?
It was a great task that you rescue the bird. Keep it up the good work. Your help is appreciated.
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