White-winged dove babies

[Doug Kerr]

We have a number of white-winged doves that hang around our house, and partake of the feed that Carla puts out in the back yard.

In the front yard we have a large bush (tree-height, actually), which we had decided we were going to have removed. It doesn't really add to the landscape plan, and it seriously restricts the view from Carla's office window (where there is the potential to see the lovely Sacramento Mountains). was just about to call our landscape contractor and make the arrangements.

But one day Carla went near the bush as she was moving a watering hose around to the side yard, and suddenly an adult white-winged dove flew out of the bush, excitedly. Carla wondered if there might be a nest in the bush, so she took a look, and indeed there was, not terribly high. The nest was, as we have learned is typical for this species, rather "flimsy", but there were two substantial eggs in it. She grabbed the trusty Canon G16 and took this shot (not under the best of circumstances):

Carla C. Kerr: White wing dove eggs 2015.09.18​

It fact. it is most common for there to be a clutch of two eggs.

Eleven days later, No. 1 had hatched and was looking quite prosperous:

Carla C. Kerr: No. 1 out 2015.04.29​

The next day, No. 2 had joined the party. (We understand that there is typically a few day gap between the hatching of the two eggs.)

Carla C. Kerr: No. 2 out as well 2015.04.30​

Here we see them four days later, really beginning to fledge:

Carla C. Kerr: Dove babies 2015.05.03​

[to be continued]

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

Purr-fect!

We should updates daily of the feedings!

Asher

 

[Doug Kerr]

[Part 2]

Here we see then two days later:

Carla C. Kerr: Dove buddies 2015.05.05​

Five days later they have quite some serious feathers:

Carla C. Kerr: Going and coming 2015.05.09​

About this time Carla begin to notice an interesting behavior on the part of the mother which we later heard is quite typical for various species, notably the white-winged dove. As Carla would approach the nest for her periodic photo shoot, the mother dove would fly out but then go to the ground not very far away and begin to flop around as if injured. We understand that this is to trick a predator into thinking that she was vulnerable to draw the attention from the young in the nest.

Here we see the mother during one of these maneuvers:

Carla C. Kerr: I'm down, I'm down, see! 2015.05.11​

By this time No. 1 was apparently out in the world, and No. 2 looked about ready:

Carla C. Kerr: I have no idea where he went! 2015.05.11​

These are wondrous and beautiful creatures, and it was so nice to see the start of their life play out in our front yard.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Don Cohen]

So wonderful to see - thanks for sharing.

With those huge beaks, how do they even hold their heads up??

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Don,

So wonderful to see - thanks for sharing.

With those huge beaks, how do they even hold their heads up??

Aren't those amazing on newly-hatched chicks!

The adults have fairly long and narrow beaks, but they sure get an early start!

Thanks.

Best regards,

Doug