Mourning Doves
I was astonished today to find an active mourning dove nest, with two nearly fledged nestlings, on our farm. A female flushed and did the broken wing act, which at first I was at a loss to explain. I thought maybe the bird was sick or demented, but then I noticed the nest from which she had flushed.
Has anyone else had experience with such late-occurring nesting in doves?
It might make some sense that doves, as primarily seed eaters, might tend to have a prolonged nesting period. I assume that, as in pigeons, they at first feed their young on a crop secretion or “milk,” followed by mostly plant material regurgitated by the adults. This would make it even more feasible to continue nesting long after most insect-eating species have migrated. It also explains in part why there are so many doves!
Bill Dunson, Englewood, FL & Galax, VA
wdunson@comcast.net