What Happens When a Baby Dove Falls Out of the Nest? A Guide to Fledgling Survival
What happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest? It depends on several factors, including the dove’s age and physical condition, the presence of its parents, and the environmental dangers present. Ultimately, the dove’s survival hinges on these variables.
Introduction: A Vulnerable Creature
Finding a baby bird outside its nest can be a distressing experience. While the instinctive reaction is often to help, it’s crucial to understand the circumstances and potential outcomes before intervening. Doves, like other birds, face unique challenges when separated from their parents, especially in their early developmental stages. Understanding what happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest? is essential for determining the best course of action.
Understanding the Stages of Dove Development
To properly assess the situation of a fallen baby dove, it’s important to understand the developmental stages:
- Hatchling: Newly hatched doves are completely dependent on their parents, featherless, and have their eyes closed.
- Nestling: Nestlings have developing feathers, still rely heavily on their parents for food and warmth, and remain largely in the nest.
- Fledgling: Fledglings are nearly fully feathered, able to hop and flutter, and are in the process of learning to fly and forage. They may spend time on the ground as part of this learning process.
This differentiation is critical for several reasons. A hatchling or nestling is far less likely to survive without parental care than a fledgling.
Factors Influencing Survival
Several factors dictate what happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest?, and crucially impact its chances of survival:
- Age and Development: As described above, the stage of development is paramount. Younger birds are much more vulnerable.
- Injury: A visible injury significantly reduces the chances of survival. Broken wings or legs necessitate professional veterinary assistance.
- Predators: Cats, dogs, and other predators pose a significant threat to ground-bound baby doves.
- Environmental Conditions: Extreme temperatures (heat or cold) can be fatal, especially for young birds.
- Parental Care: If the parents are still nearby and attending to the fallen dove, its chances of survival are significantly improved.
Identifying Fledglings vs. Nestlings
Knowing whether the fallen dove is a fledgling or a nestling is the first step in determining the best course of action.
| Feature | Nestling | Fledgling |
|---|---|---|
| —————- | ————————————– | ——————————————— |
| Feather Coverage | Sparse or absent | Mostly covered, though downy feathers present |
| Movement | Unable to hop or fly | Hops, flutters, attempts to fly |
| Dependency | Completely dependent on parents | Partially dependent on parents |
| Location | Should be securely within the nest | May be on the ground near the nest |
What To Do (and Not Do) When You Find a Fallen Dove
- Observe from a Distance: Before intervening, observe the baby dove for at least an hour to see if the parents are nearby. They may be foraging for food and will return.
- Check for Injuries: Gently examine the dove for any obvious injuries, such as broken wings or legs.
- If Uninjured Fledgling: If the bird is a healthy fledgling, the best course of action is often to leave it alone. The parents are likely still caring for it, even if they are not immediately visible.
- If Injured or Nestling: If the bird is injured, a nestling, or clearly abandoned (after a reasonable observation period), contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance.
- Attempt to Return to the Nest (If Possible): If the nest is accessible and the bird is a nestling, gently place it back in the nest. Parent birds will not reject their young based on human scent.
- Create a Temporary Nest (Last Resort): If the original nest is destroyed or inaccessible, you can create a temporary nest (e.g., a small basket lined with soft materials) and place it as close as possible to the original nest location. Monitor from a distance.
- Avoid Feeding the Bird: Unless specifically instructed by a wildlife rehabilitator, do not attempt to feed the baby dove. Improper feeding can cause serious health problems.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Assuming Abandonment: Many people mistakenly assume that a fledgling found on the ground has been abandoned, when in reality, it is part of its natural learning process.
- Interfering Unnecessarily: Taking a healthy fledgling away from its parents can significantly reduce its chances of survival.
- Attempting to Raise the Bird Themselves: Raising a wild bird requires specialized knowledge and care. It is illegal in many areas to possess wild birds without a permit. Always seek professional help.
The Role of Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Wildlife rehabilitation centers are equipped to provide specialized care for injured or orphaned wild animals. They have the expertise, facilities, and resources to properly feed, treat, and rehabilitate baby doves, increasing their chances of being successfully released back into the wild.
Release Back Into The Wild
If the baby dove is successfully rehabilitated, the ultimate goal is to release it back into its natural habitat. Rehabilitators will choose a safe and appropriate location and ensure the bird is capable of surviving on its own before releasing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs that a baby dove is in distress?
A baby dove in distress may exhibit several signs, including visible injuries (such as broken wings or legs), lethargy, failure to respond to stimuli, being covered in parasites, and being consistently separated from its parents without any parental care.
How long do baby doves stay in the nest?
Baby doves typically stay in the nest for approximately two to three weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions. After this period, they fledge, meaning they leave the nest, although they may still rely on their parents for food for a short time.
Is it true that mother birds will reject their babies if humans touch them?
No, this is a common myth. Birds, including doves, have a poor sense of smell. Parent birds will not reject their young based solely on human scent. However, it’s still best to minimize handling to avoid stressing the bird.
What should I do if I find a baby dove with a broken wing?
If you find a baby dove with a broken wing, it requires immediate professional veterinary care. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible. They will have the expertise to properly treat the injury.
Can I keep a baby dove as a pet?
In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to keep wild birds as pets without the proper permits. Furthermore, doves have very specific care needs, and attempting to raise one without proper knowledge and resources is likely to be detrimental to the bird’s health and well-being. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for guidance.
What do baby doves eat?
Baby doves are fed ‘crop milk’ by their parents, a nutritious substance produced in the lining of the parent’s crop. It is extremely difficult to replicate this diet artificially.
How can I tell if the parents are still caring for the fallen baby dove?
Look for signs of parental attention, such as the parents visiting the fallen baby dove to feed it or protect it. Parents may also call to the baby dove from nearby trees.
What are the biggest threats to baby doves that have fallen out of the nest?
The biggest threats include predation (especially from cats and dogs), exposure to extreme weather conditions, starvation, and dehydration. Injury from the fall itself is also a major concern. Understanding what happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest? helps us minimize these threats.
What should I do if I find a baby dove during cold weather?
If you find a baby dove during cold weather, it is particularly vulnerable to hypothermia. If you cannot locate the nest, and its parents are not attending it, contact a wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. The bird needs to be kept warm.
How can I make a temporary nest for a fallen baby dove?
A temporary nest can be made using a small basket or container lined with soft materials, such as paper towels, blankets, or cloth. Place the nest as close as possible to the original nest site. Ensure the container has drainage holes.
If I return a baby dove to the nest, how long should I wait to see if the parents return?
After returning a baby dove to the nest (or placing it in a temporary nest), observe from a distance for at least one to two hours to see if the parents return.
What happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest? if it is a fledgling, and the parents are nearby?
What happens when a baby dove falls out of the nest? If it’s a healthy fledgling with its parents nearby, the best course of action is usually to leave it alone. The parents will continue to care for it as it learns to fly and forage. Unnecessary intervention can disrupt this natural process.