Caring for a Baby Dove - need advice

[Fishkeeper]

I don't think he'll be releasable if you continue as you are. How is he supposed to learn how to find food? To avoid predators? That humans are a threat? When you got him, he was starting to fledge, so he was at or near the stage where he was on the ground and learning how to function as a bird. How are you planning to teach him how to survive?

 

[Rach5]

Thanks so much! There is a ton of cats in my area so I don't think he was out of the nest long. And he has seemed to grow a bit.

It's my plan to release him.. Ive read many success stories of doves being raised by humans and being released happily.

My only concern was if he was already imprinted or bc of his foot, but everything I'm hearing (besides bird enthusiast re foot) that he will be fine.

I'd keep him if I had to, but I'd rather him have the happiest life possible. I'm very excited for him to go out and meet his life mate.

I have a lot of pets, and I work with animals.. so I have lots of animal friends! Don't need to cage up a wild bird for my amusement or for a friendship so to speak.

Just doing what I think is moral. If I knew where his nest/parents were and it was safe from cats mostly I would have returned him.

I also have owls, bobcats, snakes coyotes, as I live near a mountain reserve.. so it's kinda a neat area.

[Quote member: 419311"]I think your estimate is pretty close. I'm going by his apparent development and I believe it compares to a pigeon chick of about that age. Do you think he's a mourning dove? I found this image of a juvenile online....

When all the feathers are in under the wings he should certainly be weaned. Pigeon keepers say the youngster is 'dry' under the wing. I hope he is releasable when grown, thanks to your efforts. [/QUOTE]

 

[Rach5]

Thanks for the link & clarifying

I'm up too late to reply on the rest, but the migratory bird treaty act isn't a state-wide thing. It's the whole US, and I think Canada as well. It covers pretty much every native bird in the US and Canada. The only non-covered birds I can think of off the top of my head are invasive species. Some protected birds are allowed to be hunted under specific circumstances, but are still protected.
He's a dove. I can't tell what kind, but doves are migratory birds.
This https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/migratory-bird-treaty-act-protected-species.php is a list from 2013 of what birds are included in the MBTA. It includes the below:

 

[biophiliac]

It's my plan to release him.. Ive read many success stories of doves being raised by humans and being released happily.

I too have heard good reports of doves successfully released finding a mate and raising young.

 

[Rach5]

Geeze...I'd really like you to be leave me alone.


I've been consulting with a wildlife rehab center... You are assuming I didn't ask myself these questions and sought out answers. You're assuming a bunch of things about me and you're off the mark.

I just don't get why ppl are such negative Nay Sayers. What effect does it have on your life? (Don't answer that, just think about it). If you geniunely want to do something good for birds, & wildlife there are so many better ways to spend your time doing so... So maybe start by getting off the net stop trolling strangers.

So im going to lay it all out there for you & any others... You're talking to someone who has great respect for animal welfare & wildlife. I am in animal rescue myself. The vet that runs the rescue was able to give me some help, but has more experience with parrots, and the such. She hasn't raised a dove.

More so, I live in a neighborhood where I share space with wildlife... coyotes, bobcats, birds of prey..Wild rabbits graze in our yards, & quail families are constantly passing through. I have deep respect for these animals.

I followed and will continue to my moral compass. Idk if you think it was a better option to drop him outside when I didn't know where his nest was to start with, and i have lots of cats in my area roaming free.

My nearest rehab center that works with this type of animal is far away but is assisting me. The facility knows i have him and are positive and helpful. They're not sending my info to authorities or trying to guilt trip me. If they told me I was doing him a total disservice, that I was causing him to suffer, & his adult life would suffer, i would have packed us up & traveled him all the way out there. They have been helpful, educational, and supportive. I am doing what they have said to do.

I've come here requesting others share thier cleaning technique with me, and shared some pics just to get more opinions on his toe, and age. Which it seems Ive received food advice this far, most of it aligns.

Pls keep your advice to yourself bc it's not been helpful outside the link you provided which I thanked you for. I really don't want to spend any more time on this conversation which is negative, unsupportive, and overall unhelpful.

QUOTE="Fishkeeper, post: 21214049, member: 496315"]I don't think he'll be releasable if you continue as you are. How is he supposed to learn how to find food? To avoid predators? That humans are a threat? When you got him, he was starting to fledge, so he was at or near the stage where he was on the ground and learning how to function as a bird. How are you planning to teach him how to survive?[/QUOTE]

 

[Rach5]

Oh forgot to add, your pic you supplied is similar, but his head feathers look different.. I kinda think he might be Inca... Just so hard to tell... I need to get a scale to weigh him.. thinking that would help narrow it down bc of the size differences . Thanks again for taking the time to help me & share your experience. I am taking this seriously!

At one time the rehab center that is helping me was closer to me (they moved to a bigger property that's far away) and i wanted to volunteer there! I put in a application but they didn't have any openings at the time. So this is really special to me for a number of reasons.

[Quote member: 419311"]I think your estimate is pretty close. I'm going by his apparent development and I believe it compares to a pigeon chick of about that age. Do you think he's a mourning dove? I found this image of a juvenile online....

When all the feathers are in under the wings he should certainly be weaned. Pigeon keepers say the youngster is 'dry' under the wing. I hope he is releasable when grown, thanks to your efforts. [/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

I too have heard good reports of doves successfully released finding a mate and raising young.

I too have heard good reports of doves successfully released finding a mate and raising young.

I too have heard good reports of doves successfully rele

I too have heard good reports of doves successfully released finding a mate and raising young.

 

[biophiliac]

Oh forgot to add, your pic you supplied is similar, but his head feathers look different.. I kinda think he might be Inca... Just so hard to tell... I need to get a scale to weigh him.. thinking that would help narrow it down bc of the size differences . Thanks again for taking the time to help me & share your experience. I am taking this seriously!

At one time the rehab center that is helping me was closer to me (they moved to a bigger property that's far away) and i wanted to volunteer there! I put in a application but they didn't have any openings at the time. So this is really special to me for a number of reasons.

[Quote member: 419311"]I think your estimate is pretty close. I'm going by his apparent development and I believe it compares to a pigeon chick of about that age. Do you think he's a mourning dove? I found this image of a juvenile online....

When all the feathers are in under the wings he should certainly be weaned. Pigeon keepers say the youngster is 'dry' under the wing. I hope he is releasable when grown, thanks to your efforts.

[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]
Best wishes to you and little dove. It would be lovely to have an update when he's grown.