Fledging Mourning Dove WWYD?

[dbsam]

I put this in pets but thought it might be better here hoping there are people like me who garden with birds in mind.

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. He stays in a corner of the yard under thorny hawthorns surrounded by tall perennials. He is not easily visible.

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!

[littleplum]

I would just leave it alone if it's not injured. Birds are pretty delicate and you could really hurt it by messing with it.

[dbsam]

yes, I was afraid of hurting it or stressing it out too much but I was more 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. He sat on the branch for over two hours. I went outside a while ago and he was off the branch. A cat was lurking outside my fence; I hope the bird is safe and feel better knowing he is capable of flying. It is raining now so I think/hope the cats are less likely to be out.