Does anyone know the nesting habits of doves?

Question

I recently put a hanging basket with a leafy plant on my balcony. A few mornings ago, I noticed that a couple of birds were perched in it, so I took the basket down and took out the nest they were building and put it back after a few days. This morning, I found them rebuilding the nest and my dad pointed out that they were doves. He said that it should be ok because they are very peaceful animals and they won't get defensive of their nest, regardless of whether or not they have younglings. Is this true? I like the idea of having some doves nesting on my balcony, but not if they'll be defensive. Could anyone help me out? (no offense, but please only answer if you know what you're talking about.)

Oh, and if it helps, I think these are mourning doves. I just can't seem to find anything about their nesting habits. Thank you!

Unfortunately, I had already moved the basket before I found out it was illegal, reason being that the basket was right in the middle of my balcony and would have disturbed the birds more, I think. (It's a pretty small balcony, maybe 15'x15') I moved it to the outside and I saw them there this morning "looking" for the nest. They may not come back, which would probably be better for them so that they won't be disturbed. Still, it would be cool if they did come back. *sigh*

Answer 1

First, don't disturb the nest. Doves are more flighty and may abandon the eggs or chicks if you bother them too much.

Watch them from a distance. Don't try to feed them because you will only be inviting other birds in and that may cause them to abandon the nest.

Mourning Dove Nesting Habits
A loosely built nest of twigs, grass, weeds and pine needles
make up these birds nest materials. In fact, this loose pile of twigs is so lightly put together that often you can see through it from the bottom.
If she should become startled and fly off the nest too quickly, the eggs could fall from the nest. Bird watchers would be wise to wait until the eggs have hatched before approaching any nest.

*****Nest abandonment is very common with these birds. If they feel any threat from predators whether human or animal, they may go elsewhere to nest, abandoning eggs and nestlings. Bird watchers need to exercise caution.*****

The nest can be found 5-25 feet above the ground, often in the crotch of a shrub or tree. Laying 2 white eggs that are incubated for 14-15 days. The young will leave the nest in 12-14 days.

These birds have been known to reuse the same nest for five sets of eggs in a single season. Usually 2 - 3 broods raised each season.

You can try attracting doves to nest near you by placing a Nesting Shelf attached to a tree or your house.

Doves, along with Pigeons, produce a food called pigeon milk (not really milk) by glands in the crop of the adult bird. The parent opens its mouth wide, permitting the nestling to stick its head inside to feed on the nutritious food.

In the wild, the adult birds mostly feed on waste grain, including corn, wheat, grass and weed seeds.

You can attract these birds to your feeder by supplying white and red proso millet, oil-type sunflower seeds, and cracked corn.

Important Mourning Dove Nesting Information

Often emails from bird watchers arrive asking "Our dove has not left the nest in days, will she starve or die of thirst? What should we do?"
Unlike most birds, these birds incubate their eggs continually. Since the male and female look alike, it appears the same bird is incubating the eggs the whole time.

Actually, the male does a daytime shift and the female does the night shift. If you are not around during the change, it appears the same bird has been on the nest the entire time.

Not to worry, the switch was made while you were not looking.

One More Thing
Often people worry about when one of the birds die. These birds are perfect prey for cats, due to the fact they feed close to the ground. Sometimes the surviving bird will attempt to incubate the eggs, or continue feeding the nestlings.

This is a difficult task for a single bird and often unsuccessful.

In due course, the surviving mate will find a new mate. Since they nest several times a season, it's possible they will raise a successful brood in the same season. While it's sad to lose these birds in your yard, this is a part of nature and the birds will mate again.

Answer 2

Mourning Dove Nest

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Does anyone know the nesting habits of doves?
I recently put a hanging basket with a leafy plant on my balcony. A few mornings ago, I noticed that a couple of birds were perched in it, so I took the basket down and took out the nest they were building and put it back after a few days. This morning, I found them rebuilding the nest and my dad...

Answer 4

Mourning Doves are the most common wild dove, so I think you are right in identifying them. All birds are defensive of their nests. They are not going to try and attack you or anything, but they will be disturbed and irratated if you are approach their nest or near their nest, so you will have to stay clear of your balcony while they are nesting as your presense can cause them to abandon. It is actually illegal for you to disturb or remove their nest, they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. I suggest you just watch and enjoy them from afar. The other answers gave you all the info you need but just want to add, they will incubate the eggs for 14-15 days, and the chicks will fledge (leave) the nest at 13-15 days, at which point the parents will still care for them for another 10-12 days.

Answer 5

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I have mourning doves too. I think as for as the egg goes, i think the best thing to do is wait, if you see the parents near the egg, it means they want it but can't get it back to the nest, if you want to move it, wait till sunrise or sunset, that is when the mother leaves the nest and the father comes, it is your best shot at seeing the eggs unprotected,and use tongs so they don't recognize the scent. Don't interfere too much, because of the birds sense danger, they will abandon the nest. Dont worry about the baby, it will probably be fine.

Answer 6

I know this question is old, but we had the same thing happen to us. We bought a large hanging basket of Purslane and hung it from the hook on the front porch. It didn't take long before a couple of doves took up residence and built a nest in the middle of it. At first, they would "spook" and fly away with their warning squawks when we stepped out the door. Then, we learned to enter and exit very quietly and calmly so as not to frighten them. It was such a delight when we noticed the sounds of baby birds chirping in the nest. The doves became so used to us that they even let me take a few pictures of them in their nest. I really hope you got to experience the close up nesting since your post!

Answer 7

I have a question, we have nesting doves right now and one egg fell to the ground and died. The other egg never hatched. They have been sitting on the nest since May 25, 2015. I don't believe there are any babies cause they would have been seen or heard by now. Can anyone tell me why they are still sitting on nest. I feel bad thinking there are no more babies.

Answer 8

I'm not sure what you're looking for as far as defensive ... will they fly at you and try to take out your eyes? Nahh. Will they puff up, make grunting noises at you and maybe bat a wing sharply at you if you come near their nest? Yes. Bother them too much and they'll likely abandon their nesting site.
Doves are very peaceful and not to mention gorgeous little critters. Their nests can hardly be called "nests" - generally they just throw a few sticks somewhere and start setting up house. Hopefully your hanging basket has a lip around the edge and this should help with their nesting activities, as far as not having eggs fall out of it.
Doves lay 2 milky white eggs, mom and dad take turns incubating and also feeding once the little ones hatch. You might want to put out some bread crumbs or millet sprays for them, they'll certianly enjoy it. My doves enjoyed white and red millet and whole wheat bread crumbs.
Best of luck!
Oh, you might try looking up "ring-neck doves" and see about nesting habits. Their habits are very similiar to wild mourning doves and information for one works generally well for the other.

Answer 9

We have doves on our front porch that are on their 3rd batch of babies this summer. They built a nest in my hanging porch fern and are raising babies #5 and #6 right now. I am able to very carefully water the ferns sometimes without the dove flying away. Sometimes she flies away but will come back once I leave, but it sometimes takes an hour or so before she will go back. They haven't damaged the fern in any way, and aren't pooping all over so I would recommend letting them nest and leave them be.

Answer 10

What Do Mourning Doves Eat