Source
r/Ornithology•
CockenBallzen

What happened to the doves?

Question

Hello. I'm sorry if this is the wrong sub. Around 2-3 weeks ago a mourning dove built a nest outside of my apartment on a fire extinguisher. Over the next 3 days it laid two eggs. I tried to leave it alone and give it as much space as I could and it stuck around. I rarely saw it leave the nest and it never seemed agitated when I went outside. This morning I went outside and saw that the nest was empty. I looked around to see if the eggs had fallen out overnight causing the dove to leave but I didn't see anything. It seems like the dove and her eggs just vanished. Does anyone know what could've happened? I live on the second floor if that matters. Sorry for rambling but I grew attached to the dove so I'm sad to see her gone so suddenly :(

eggs

Dove in nest

The now empty nest

Posted Mar 10, 2023, 7:53 PM UTC

146
WakingOwl1•

Doves are notoriously bad parents, nest looks like it half fell apart, perhaps the eggs fell and she abandoned it.

8
Ituzzip•

If something attacked and ate the eggs the dove is likely to pick a new nesting site for the next batch.

8
neochimaphaeton•

Depending on where you live the nest could have been predated by a crow, jay or a large grackle. If a hawk attacks a sitting dove the eggs are usually left in the nest unless they’re knocked out. Or if there’s some kids around your neighborhood and they see a nest with eggs in it…..well anything can happen. As others have mentioned, doves are notoriously sloppy as to where they nest. One pair nested in an a sparsely leafed bush in my front yard. When I was mowing my lawn a squab was sitting on the ground under the nest. It had fallen out of the nest. I placed it back with its sibling and wished them both luck. With dove parents they need it.

5
Careless_Winner_3092•

Other culprits include rodents like squirrels and rats. Eggs are tasty and full of macronutrients which make them a popular meal for lots of animals.

I would just add that the current state of the nest suggests the birds have possibly intentionally dismantled the nest. In a lot of the nesting projects I’ve been on we’ve seen birds do that frequently after a predation event. Often times they just take the same material and go find a new spot to try again, usually not too far away.

2
Ok_Motor_3069•

Mourning dove nests are pretty badly constructed from what I have observed. I don’t know how any babies make it in those! But there seem to be plenty around! They are such nice and pretty birds, so I’m glad there seem to be plenty. At least where I live there are a lot!

1
responsible_blue•

Considering the amount of mourning doves, they can't be that bad. (At least in my area)

1