As we were walking through the mowed grass to reach the sidewalk this morning, a mourning dove flew out about three feet in front of us, squawking. As soon as she flew away, we were on top of the spot where she had been. A baby that couldn’t fly was there! Guinness sniffed it all over while I yelled, “No! Leave it!” pulling on his leash. He willingly left the baby and started sniffing around a nearby tree.
Last year, when we had a mourning dove build a nest in the lower branches of a blue spruce, I read that they build their nests near or on the ground. When we returned I wondered if the baby would still be there or if the mother would have moved it. At first I couldn’t find the exact spot where they had been, then I saw the mother sitting on TOP of the baby! Again, she flew away in a dither leaving her defenseless chick. Guinny didn’t get to sniff the baby this time, but I know he would have been gentle. I left him at home and went back with my camera. The mother had not returned yet, so I got a shot of the baby.
