Fledging Mourning Dove WWYD?

[dbsam]

Not exactly ‘pets’ but WWYD?

I have a fledgling mourning dove in my backyard. He looks as though he s/b old enough to fly but isn’t trying at all. He doesn’t look injured. I’ve checked on him throughout the day and until a few minutes ago he never even lifted his wings. (His wings look fine, not injured.) I’ve been taking my dogs out on leashes so they do not bother him. I hadn’t seen the parents all day but noticed one when I went out a few minutes ago.

Although our yard is fenced (picket) neighboring cats do come into our yard at night. They’ve gotten all but one of our robin nests this year. I’ve found a dead dove in two previous years. We have several neighbors who let their cats roam:.

So, do I leave him here with his parents care, keep my dogs on leashes to go out and hope a cat doesn’t get him? Or do I take him to a vets office who has agreed to take him and care for him until he is able to be released. (The have someone who is very knowledgeable about doves.) The vet's office said there is a chance it will become so upset when caught it might die. (I need to leave within 1.5 hours if I am to take him in.)
Thanks!

[gumby74]

We have found many fledlings and always there is the same question that goes through our minds. What I would suggest you do is do an internet search to see how long the dove fledgling stays on the ground. It will just give you a little more info about how long you have to keep your dogs on leashes. We had to do the same thing with our two dogs, but I think it was only for a couple fo days. No matter what type of bird we have found, I am incredibly amazed at how good those parents are at protecting their young. Often, they will swoop down and distract the predator or dive at their heads in order to keep them away. Best of luck!

[dbsam]

Thank you for your response. You are correct about the protective nature of the parents so I was surprised to only see the parents once today. I wasn't worried about my dogs as I was willing to leash them as long as it takes. I was afraid my neighbors' cats would get the bird as they have in the past. I decided to take him to the vet because I didn't want to wake up to another dead bird.

But the bird decided differently for me. Although this dove hadn't moved more than a few feet and had only lifted his wings once, never trying to fly, the thought of my picking him up must have scared him into flying. The vet said he looked ready based upon the photos I emailed to her and I guess he was. It was the most un-graceful flight I've ever seen. He flew into the fence several times, made it up to my children's play set then fell off, then flew up to a branch about twelve feet up. It's been almost two hours and he is still sitting on that branch. I’m glad to know he can fly if a cat comes around.