Caring for a baby mouning dove!?????? URGENT!!!?

Question

My neighbor witnessed two baby mourning doves being attacked by a blue jay. The jay killed one, and luckily the other was saved. The jay did this for territory, and has now taken the tree as its own. Ray, my neighbor, brought it up to me, knowing I try to save animals (I know its illegal, but there are no animal rehabs or anything unless I go to another state, over 100 miles away). I said I would try to care for it. I found out it is a baby mourning dove, on the internet. I tried to feed it blended corn with water mixed in. It ate a little. It survived the night under a heat lamp I set up. It has all its feathers, and tries to fly, but can't yet. I would like any suggestions on what to feed it, how to feed it, or ANYTHING else. I can't stress enough that I can't find the parents, and the jay is lurking around the tree... HELP!!

Answer 1

Great Job on the rescue.  I really do not know a thing about mourning doves.  I have rescued Starlings with the help of the great people at starling talk.  They have a message board there and someone there will know more that me and be able to help.

Good Luck !!!

Find the links in my profile as I am not able to post their links here.....(i get errors when i do)  They may be able to help you here too at pigeon talk http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/index.php

Answer 2

The jay did not kill the mourning dove due to a territorial dispute.  Jays, along with many other birds - eat eggs and nestlings.  They are omnivores, and baby birds are a part of their diet.

Legally, and ethically - you should have let nature take it's course.  All nests are subject to predation.  Only 30% of nestlings make it out of the nest.   Blue jays are only one of many predators that attack nests.  You cannot, and should not attempt to protect wildlife, from other wildlife.

The bird you found is almost ready to fledge.  It should be returned to it's parents, as the crop milk formula that you need is very specific, and the bird will require tube feeding.  Without specific training and experience, you may easily wind up killing the bird, possibly slower and more stressed than if the jay got it.

Are you sure that there are no rehabbers?   There are very few areas that are not covered, though some can be harder to locate. Many have satellite stations at vet clinics and animal shelters for drop offs.

Check this link for worldwide listings:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact....

In the US, rehabilitation is regulated by the Federal government and State DNR (Dept of Natural Resources), or Dept of Fish and Game. Services are free to the public, as all native wild birds are protected by federal law.

There are several sites with listing of rehabbers, although the easiest way to find one is to search Yahoo! or Google for "wildlife rehabilitation" + your state (try both full and abbreviated). Also search on DNR or DFG + rehabilitation + your state.

You may be able to find a contact for a nearby rehabber through your local humane society, animal shelter, or police department.

Links are also available on these sites:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/

http://www.greenpeople.org/sanctuary.htm

http://www.iwrc-online.org/

http://wrcmn.org/public/default.asp

http://www.wildliferehabilitators.com/li...

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

For food:PIGEON, DOVE--(normal diet seeds, grains, fruits). Feed 1/3 chick starter (available at feed stores), 1/3 GRAIN, 1/3 wild bird seed (pet stores). Mix with water to make slushy gruel. If mix is put into crop dry, add water ever so often. Palpate crop to make sure it always feels slushy, otherwise if too dry it will bind up and kill the bird. Only fill crop about 1/2 full at a time.

I don't really know, just read this sight and best of luck!

http://www.csub.edu/FACT/baby_bird_care....