How to Help a Baby Dove Survive: A Comprehensive Guide
How do you help a baby dove survive? Successfully caring for a baby dove requires immediate action: carefully assess the situation, provide warmth, and ensure it receives a specialized diet mimicking “crop milk”, the nutrient-rich substance parent doves feed their young.
Introduction: A Delicate Rescue Mission
Finding a baby dove can be a heart-wrenching experience. Often, these tiny creatures have fallen from their nests or become separated from their parents. Before intervening, it’s crucial to assess the situation carefully. Is the bird truly abandoned, or are the parents still nearby? Doves are devoted parents, and they may be foraging for food or temporarily out of sight. However, if the baby dove is clearly injured, cold, or showing signs of distress, immediate action is necessary.
Identifying a Baby Dove
Baby doves, also known as squabs, look quite different from adult doves. They typically:
- Have sparse, downy feathers.
- Are relatively immobile compared to fledglings.
- Often have a wide, gaping mouth, instinctively begging for food.
- May appear pale and fragile.
Distinguishing them from other types of birds is essential for providing the correct care. Unlike songbirds, doves require a specialized diet in their early stages of life.
Assessing the Situation: Is Intervention Necessary?
The first step is to determine if the baby dove truly needs your help. Observe from a distance for at least an hour. Are the parents returning to feed the chick? If so, it’s best to leave it undisturbed. If the baby dove is in immediate danger (e.g., from predators, traffic, or extreme weather), or if the parents haven’t returned after a reasonable period, intervention is warranted.
Providing Immediate Care: Warmth and Safety
The most pressing need for a found baby dove is warmth. Young birds are highly susceptible to hypothermia. Follow these steps:
- Place the dove in a small box lined with soft, clean cloths or paper towels.
- Provide a gentle heat source, such as a heating pad set on low, placed under half of the box.
- Monitor the dove’s temperature. It should feel comfortably warm, not hot.
- Keep the box in a quiet, draft-free location away from pets and children.
The Critical Diet: Mimicking Crop Milk
The biggest challenge in caring for a baby dove is replicating the “crop milk” that parent doves provide. This substance is rich in protein and fats, essential for the chick’s rapid growth.
You can’t replicate crop milk perfectly, but here’s a successful formula to start with:
- Commercial Bird Hand-Feeding Formula: This is the best base. Choose a formula specifically designed for baby birds.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and a natural sweetness.
- Plain Yogurt (Probiotic): Adds probiotics to aid in digestion.
- Pea Protein Powder: Extra protein boost.
Mix these ingredients to a smooth, thin consistency that can be easily drawn into a syringe. The consistency should be similar to thick cream.
Feeding Techniques: Patience and Precision
Feeding a baby dove requires patience and a gentle touch. Use a small syringe (without a needle) or a feeding tube attached to a syringe. Gently insert the tip of the syringe into the side of the bird’s beak, aiming towards the back of its throat. Slowly release the formula, allowing the dove to swallow.
- Frequency: Feed every 2-3 hours during daylight hours. As the dove grows, you can gradually increase the intervals between feedings.
- Quantity: Start with small amounts (0.5-1 ml) and gradually increase the amount as the dove gets older and stronger. Watch for signs of fullness, such as a bulging crop (the pouch at the base of the neck).
- Consistency: The formula should be warm, but not hot. Test the temperature on your wrist before feeding.
Monitoring Progress: Signs of Success and Potential Problems
Regularly monitor the baby dove’s condition. Signs of success include:
- Active begging for food.
- Increasing weight.
- Healthy-looking feathers.
- Increased mobility.
Potential problems to watch out for include:
- Lethargy.
- Diarrhea.
- Crop stasis (slow or absent emptying of the crop).
- Breathing difficulties.
If you observe any of these signs, seek veterinary advice immediately.
Preparing for Release: Fledging and Independence
As the baby dove grows, it will begin to develop its flight feathers and become more active. This is the fledgling stage. Provide a larger enclosure with branches and perches to encourage exercise and flight practice.
Once the dove is fully feathered and able to fly confidently, it’s time to prepare for release. Choose a safe, quiet location with plenty of food and water sources. Gradually introduce the dove to the outdoor environment, allowing it to explore for short periods.
Eventually, the dove will become independent and leave to join other doves in the wild. This is the ultimate goal of your rescue effort.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfeeding: This can lead to crop stasis and other digestive problems.
- Feeding too cold or too hot formula: Both can be harmful to the dove.
- Using cow’s milk: Doves cannot digest cow’s milk.
- Forcing food: This can cause aspiration and pneumonia.
- Releasing the dove too early: Ensure the dove is fully capable of flying and foraging before release.
Seeking Professional Help: When to Call a Veterinarian or Wildlife Rehabilitator
If you are unsure about any aspect of caring for a baby dove, or if the dove is showing signs of illness or injury, seek professional help immediately. A veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator can provide expert advice and treatment. This is especially important if you aren’t confident in your abilities to provide the necessary care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I feed a baby dove?
Baby doves need frequent feedings, usually every 2-3 hours during daylight hours, especially when they are very young. As they grow, you can gradually increase the intervals between feedings. Pay attention to their behavior; if they’re begging for food, it’s time to feed them.
What if the baby dove won’t open its mouth to eat?
Gently stroke the sides of the beak or tap it lightly with the syringe. This often stimulates the instinctive begging response. Be patient and persistent, but never force the beak open, as this can cause injury.
Can I feed a baby dove bread or seeds?
No. Bread provides no nutritional value and can actually harm the dove. Seeds are also inappropriate for very young doves; they need the easily digestible formula described above.
How do I know if I’m feeding the baby dove enough?
The crop (the pouch at the base of the neck) should be visibly full after each feeding, but not overly distended. You should also notice the baby dove gaining weight and becoming more active over time.
What do I do if the baby dove has diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be a sign of infection or improper diet. Reduce the amount of food you’re feeding and consult a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Make sure the dove stays hydrated.
How can I tell if the baby dove is dehydrated?
Signs of dehydration include lethargy, sunken eyes, and a sticky or tacky mouth. Offer small amounts of water or diluted electrolyte solution frequently. A veterinarian can administer subcutaneous fluids if necessary.
Is it okay to keep a baby dove as a pet?
While it’s tempting, it is generally not recommended to keep a wild baby dove as a pet. They belong in the wild and require specialized care that is difficult to provide long-term. Releasing them back into their natural environment is always the best option. Moreover, it might be illegal in your jurisdiction.
How long does it take for a baby dove to fledge?
Baby doves typically fledge (develop flight feathers) around 2-3 weeks old. They will continue to be dependent on their parents for food for another week or two after fledging.
What kind of enclosure should I use for a baby dove?
A small box lined with soft cloths or paper towels is suitable for very young doves. As they grow, you can move them to a larger enclosure with branches and perches to encourage exercise and flight practice.
What if I find a baby dove with an injury?
If the baby dove has an injury, such as a broken wing or a wound, seek veterinary care immediately. Don’t attempt to treat the injury yourself.
How do I prepare the baby dove for release?
Gradually expose the dove to the outdoor environment in a safe, enclosed area. Offer the same food you’ve been feeding, as well as wild birdseed. This will help the dove transition to foraging for food on its own.
Where is the best place to release a baby dove?
Choose a safe, quiet location with plenty of trees and shrubs for cover, and a reliable source of food and water. Avoid releasing the dove near busy roads or areas with a high concentration of predators.