Stock Dove almost fledged

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 15-03-2011, 07:08 AM

I was up yesterday checking out some of my owl boxes to make sure they were all in order and ok for the coming season and I was shocked to find one occupied with a single young Stock Dove that is about to fledge. I have worked it out that it must have laid in the end of January. Incredible how they have found enough food to feed themselves and a youngster through this period. We had plenty of snow during this time as well.

rossy · #2 (**permalink**) 15-03-2011, 07:27 AM

yes they are resiliant birds, just like feral pigeons, and collard doves, breeding all year round, and obviously your box was suitable for them to nest, being shelterd, must have come as a bit of a shock all the same, with the weather being as bad as it has been, but nice to see all the same, rossy.

htcdude · #3 (**permalink**) 15-03-2011, 08:49 AM

I wouldn't see the Pigeons and Doves having problems with food, it's more the fact they managed to keep warm enough that's a shock! Saying that it has been a bit milder the last couple of weeks.

Nige

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 15-03-2011, 10:03 AM

Yes they tend to feed young on crop milk, so provided they can find enough seeds etc to feed on they can breed very early and are less dependent on invertebrates than most breeding species. When its finished might be worth getting rid of the nest as your owls wont be keen on a stock dove nest stuck in the box.