My dad knocked down their nests, and put up plastic snakes....?

Question

its 8:14 here, and he knocked down a morning dove's nest (no eggs)

they nested there before and raised their young, but now theres p**p all on our front porch, so when they came back, after a few weeks he knocked down the nest

its getting dark, will they find a place and build a new nest in time?

Answer 1

That's too bad. I remember a bird's nest in our tree as a girl, and in that case neighborhood boys took and destroyed a robin's eggs. Morning doves have been known to reuse the same nest for five sets of eggs in a single season, raising two or three broods each season. If they feel any threat from predators, whether human or animal, though, they may go elsewhere to nest. I'm sure after your dad knocked down their nest, they relocated elsewhere. Worse happens even in the wild. Nest abandonment is very common with morning doves, at times abandoning eggs and nestlings. They lay two white eggs that are incubated for a couple of weeks, and the young leave the nest in another couple of weeks. So, let's hope they decided to move. Morning doves are perfect prey for cats, due to the fact they feed close to the ground. So, if there are kitties around, your dad might have done them a favor. I'm glad your dad was kind enough to remove the nest before they started nesting again. If you hear cooing (it can sound sad), it means they're claiming territory to begin nesting habits. Put up a "no vacancy" sign! ;-)

Answer 2

Don't worry so much, she will manage.  Her fledglings are probably already out of the nest by now and off into the wild blue yonder.  

I accidentally knocked down my morning dove's nest when I was cleaning up her fledgling poo-pie messes last fall - after she was done nesting.  I thought she would build a new nest this year, but she never did.  I felt badly about it and even put out good nesting supplies for her.  She took them and flew off to build  her nest elsewhere.  I felt snubbed till I noticed that she brings her new fledglings to hang out in the spot where her old nest used to be.  

I think it's really sweet of you to care.

Answer 3

plastic snakes?? birds arnt retarded you know, i just laugh everytime i see people put up fake owls and stuff, the birds everntually realize that it is nothing

Answer 4

Well, they are not going to build a new nest in one night.  Most birds take 2-6 days to build a nest.  Sure, once they discover their nest is gone..they should rebuild elsewhere.  Just make sure never to disturb active nests (eggs or chicks inside) as this would be illegal.