MaryC

Yesterday I found 2 baby doves on the ground in the bushes right behind my house. One was unfortunately dead - maybe from the fall from the small, flimsy nest I found in the tree above, or maybe from a creature, I couldn't tell, but it was very sad. The other baby seems fine though. I have no idea how old he is, but he seems to have lots of feathers but can't fly. In fact, I haven't even seen him hop around. I looked up all the info I could on the internet, and after calling the local wildlife rescue decided to wait and watch for the mother. Soon, I saw 2 doves (both parents?) watching from a nearby tree and eventually visiting him, so I decided to leave him where he was.

Today, he was in the same place and I saw the mother around again so I guess he's OK. But, I'm worried that being on the ground may not be so safe. We have a fenced yard and my animals stay in, but I have occasionally seen cats in the neighborhood, and possums at night. How long until this little guy can fly?

Also, yesterday when I was afraid he may be hurt, I put him in a shallow container with leaves to look at him more closely and prepare to take him to the wildlife rescue. He is still in the container in the bushes (the sides are about 1" high). Should I take him out? I'm afraid that if I do it won't be easy to check on him anymore since he will blend in with the groundcover.--which I know is the natural protection from predators, so I don't know what to do.
I read about putting them in hanging baskets, but I didn't want to risk him falling out again. I moved the container a little bit more back in the bushes a little while ago to keep him out of the direct sun. I should probably just leave them alone, but I don't want to have another dead baby. Dogs and cats I can handle, but birds just seem so fragile to me I kind of freak out about them.

Any advice/experience would be appreciated. Also, I took a picture of him with my cell phone which I guess I could post (if I can figure out how) if needed. Thanks.

Update: Baby is now out of the container and several feet away from the bushes where he is very exposed now. I saw the mother flying away - maybe she moved him there so she could see him better from her perch??? It's supposed to rain a lot tonight - will he be OK?

Shannon

From TPWD:

Leave That Wild Animal Alone, Experts Advise

AUSTIN, Texas — With spring come young, wild animals venturing from their nests and hiding places under the watchful eyes of their parents. Young animals often stray and appear to be abandoned — that’s when humans need to resist the urge to help, wildlife experts say.

Some species, including birds, deer and snakes, are very active this time of year and are being seen more frequently.

This is the time of year that young birds are out of their nests but cannot fly. If the bird’s eyes are open, it has a coat of feathers and is hopping around, it is probably fine, according to staff at Texas Parks and Wildlife’s wildlife information center. Grounded fledglings will usually be up and flying within a few days.

“Many people discover apparently lost or abandoned wildlife young and take them in, thinking they are doing the right thing, and this sometimes does more harm than good,” said Mark Klym of the Wildlife Diversity branch at TPWD. “People should leave young animals alone unless they are obviously injured or orphaned. It is best to observe a wild creature from a distance for a while in order to make that determination.”

Staying too close to the baby may keep mamma from returning, Klym said.

The fawning season begins in early to mid-May, although the newborns may not be visible to the casual observer for several weeks because of excellent camouflage of their mottled coats and their mother’s care in hiding them from predators. Deer will typically leave their fawn(s) for hours at a time, returning only to nurse them. Fawns are often discovered lying quietly in tall grass or brushy areas. Well-meaning people sometimes pick up these fawns, thinking that they have been abandoned by their mothers and need help. This is rarely the case. A fawn should only be picked up if it is covered in fire ants or is otherwise seriously injured. These fawns need assistance and should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

If it is determined that a wild animal is sick or injured call the TPWD wildlife information line, (512) 389-4505, during business hours for a referral to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After-hours callers can get the names of rehabilitators from TPWD’s dispatch line at (512) 389-4848 or by accessing this Web site: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/r...ehab/index.htm. During the spring, the department receives more than 100 calls a week about baby wildlife.

“Some of the most common questions are whether the fawns are actually abandoned and if baby birds can take care of themselves on the ground,” Klym said. “In most cases, the fawns’ mothers are just out of sight and the baby birds are still being protected and fed by the parents.”

“The overall message is that wildlife should be left alone,” said Klym. “Wild animals are best left in the wild.”

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More Information:

* http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/r.../rehab/orphan/

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