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wild ringneck? unsuitable nest spot advise on moving her?

Distaff

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(I was tempted to put this under, Rehome Highway.):tongue2:

One of our out buildings has a lot of cardboard boxes. We would like to keep them in somewhat usable and clean condition, but I found a dove nesting in there this afternoon.

Seems like an odd time of year to nest, but we have had a mild winter so far.

Anyway, she needs to move. I can set up a suitable, comfortable, and safe place for her in one of our rabbit runs or goat sheds. Is there any hope of success with this? I was thinking of trying to move her at night. Planning to just pull out the box she is on and transfer the whole thing over to a better shelter, high up, and close to the roof, like she is now.

Thoughts? Thanks.
 

Mizzely

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Can you contact a wildlife rehabber in your area that can give you direction?
 

Distaff

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You know, that is a good idea. Didn't occur to me, since she isn't injured.

Thanks.
 

Laurul Feather Cat

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This time of year she just wants to be indoor, out of the wind and inside a non-metal enclosure so they don't lose heat to transfer through their nesting place. If you put small boxes up in the corners of the eves of your shelters/shacks, birds like doves and owls will overwinter in them and eat the bugs and mice, etc, that live around your home. My Uncle's John's sons continue to this day to attract such birds to their property as a way to manage the wildlife. No possibility for eggs until spring. Then if they raise chicks in the box, it will be very soiled and should be replaced during the fall so the occipant will return and spend the winter.
 
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Distaff

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That's a great idea. Cardboard IS a good insulator. I'll put some more up for them.

She did make herself a little bed of sticks (looked like a nest). :confused:
I didn't want to bother her to check for eggs.
 

Laurul Feather Cat

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The more temporary nests you create, the more birds will occupy that area. You can remove them in early spring if you don't want them to use the box for breeding. Wild birds can bring lice and such with them. If you see bugs, just sprinkle a little flea powder on the area.
 

SpecialistElbru

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If the bird is heaver set than a mourning dove then is probably a Eurasian Collard dove. I'm not sure they might be genetically compatible, but the ones that live "wild" tend to be more massive and are called collard doves.

A noticed you are in New Mexico and collard doves are not listed on migratory bird treaty(USA/Canada). I don't know if there is any regulation at the state level. If not, their would be no regulations on moving the nest. The bird may just be looking for shelter from the cold. I'm not sure how dense they nest, but you might add them to your homesteading.
 

Distaff

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These birds are slender. They are a velvety medium grey with lavender and brown undertones, There is a partial ring around the neck.

They like chicken feed. I know of several other poultry keepers within just a few blocks, so the birds eat well. I expect the immediate neighbourhood alone must have hundreds of them. Too many, probably, but they are pretty, sweet, easy going, and surprisingly tame.

Been busy the last few days, so I haven't done anything about the situation. Recent afternoon temps nearly t-shirt weather warm, but the little dove is still there.
 
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SpecialistElbru

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I expect the immediate neighbourhood alone must have hundreds of them. Too many, probably, but they are pretty, sweet, easy going, and surprisingly tame.
If they fly free then they are most likely the collard variety.

92-188 g ring-neck dove
112-170 g mourning dove
125-240 g collard dove

There are no North American native birds that have a black bar on the back of there neck.

I may have a high bar in my mind for the kinds of birds that qualify as companion animals. That being, I would consider doves to be in the same category as chickens.
 

Distaff

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I think you are right.
The two have a close resemblance, but the birds in these big flocks fit the collard description (Wiki article) better.
 

SpecialistElbru

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Does the bird appear to just be nesting, has she found one place that she constantly stays. I have seen collard doves choosing places nest in elevated locations withing human structures. The nest themselves can be very primitive. Do you think the bird is nesting or just lethargic?
 

Distaff

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She is always there when I check on her. I thought maybe she was just injured (who nests in January??), but then again, a bird isn't going to make a little nest just to be cosy, AFTER getting injured.
 

SpecialistElbru

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If she has a single spot that she returns to then it could be nesting. If she is just in the "shed" but in different locations then it is more likely that she is injured.

If you put chicken food in the shed will she eat the food? If she leaves the 'nest' to eat then I would try and spook her a little while she is eating just to see if she takes flight. If you make a sudden move towards her and she doesn't take flight she is defiantly injured.

Depending on her injuries a little food and some rest over the course of a few days could help her out. Honestly in my opinion wildlife rehabilitation is strictly for native species and a collard dove does not qualify. I would feed her and keep an eye on on her. If she gets worse to where she has difficulty walking then you could get someone to help her out of her suffering.
 

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Does the bird appear to just be nesting, has she found one place that she constantly stays. I have seen collard doves choosing places nest in elevated locations withing human structures. The nest themselves can be very primitive. Do you think the bird is nesting or just lethargic?
This one looks like it is nesting to me. It's a Mourning Dove.
 

Laurie

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She is always there when I check on her. I thought maybe she was just injured (who nests in January??), but then again, a bird isn't going to make a little nest just to be cosy, AFTER getting injured.
It depends where you live. Birds in Florida could be hatching babies already. In north Texas we get buds on trees in February, it is almost 80 degrees today. It will be in the 40's again soon and we had 20's last week. It can be very confusing in the wild :) She could be nesting.
 

SpecialistElbru

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@Laurie Yes, I supplied a mourning dove pic. I do rember seeing collard doves in a simular nest.The dove is at Distaff's place in New Mexico I bit colder than in Tx now.
 

Laurie

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@Laurie Yes, I supplied a mourning dove pic. I do rember seeing collard doves in a simular nest.The dove is at Distaff's place in New Mexico I bit colder than in Tx now.
Oh yes, especially if he has some elevation it could be freezing there :)
 

Distaff

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Two blue eggs. We have decided to wait this one out, so I won't disturb her further.

We are at about 5000 feet, but the area is a "basin," and low compared to the surrounding areas - Sierra Blanca, Cloud Croft, etc.
 

SpecialistElbru

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Wow January in NM, that is early. The thing about doves is they have a high rate of reproduction. From a species survival point of view it is more effective if the female tries to reproduce more often, even in times of high failure rate. Not sure if she will make this one. She may lay more eggs. The hatch time is 14-19 days from the last egg hatched. If the eggs freeze, I will imagine she will abandoned the nest a week or so after the last possible hatch day. If they do hatch, expect the mess to be in an area under the nest, you may want to put something down to protect the area.
 
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