I have rehabilitated a Mourning Dove and would like to release it into the wild again. I

[Geeddblu]

I've rehabilitated a Baby Mourning Dove which is 6mo.old now. Is it a good idea to release it back into the wild?

 

[BullChick]

I had them as “pets” for a while. They were fine returning to the wild in the spring.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I had them as “pets” for a while. They were fine returning to the wild in the spring.

I am curious how you know they were fine. I don't mean to sound challenging, I am truly curious. How did you follow them once you released them?

 

[BullChick]

They stayed around two years, but never returned to the coop or ate from the feeders.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Prior to release I would move it to a large aviary where perhaps it might become educated about hawks. Around here Cooper's and Sharpshin hawks are death to doves.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They stayed around two years, but never returned to the coop or ate from the feeders.

Thank you, that's great to know. I used to rescue young pigeons from cats in Denver when I was very young, and I was always disappointed when they joined the city flocks, never to be seen again by me.

 

[cavemanrich]

I've rehabilitated a Baby Mourning Dove which is 6mo.old now. Is it a good idea to release it back into the wild?

Have no IDEA where you are. (location a big concern) If you do release bird, will he be able to easily find food. (being captive for 6 months) may not be aware of sources of food.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and