Do you move a dead fledgling from the nest? (1 Viewer)

[lagabbergirl]

Through our window, I've been watching mourning doves tend to their 2 babies in the nest they made in our hanging planter. This morning I see one fledgling on the ground with its parents, and the second one dead still in the nest. The one that's alive still looks quite small (this is the second nest in our backyard, so I've compared its size to the previous fledglings that looked quite big for the parent to still be sitting atop her 'babies'.) So, I'm wondering if they exited their nest due to the death? Should I remove the dead fledgling mourning dove or just leave it there and see if they return? I also don't want ants and Flys forming. It doesn't seem like the remaining baby can fly back up to the nest. Thanks in advance to any replies as I'm sure this is a commonly asked question, but I searched and couldn't find a recent response.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

welcome to Birdforum!
Thanks for joining to help those birds.

I am no expert, but maybe this other thread provides help? HELP dead bird in nestbox.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum.

I would leave it for the time being.

 

[Genes]

We have two baby doves around 12 days old. I was worried as one never grew like the other and was a quarter of the size. Today was the first time I didn’t see it struggle to get food from parent as it has been the last 12 days. Parents are now leaving nest for long intervals and I believe the baby is dead as there is no movement from our angle. I am being told to remove him as the scent will draw predators who could come for live fledgling. I want to be sure we are doing the right thing.

 

[Genes]

We have two baby doves around 12 days old. I was worried as one never grew like the other and was a quarter of the size. Today was the first time I didn’t see it struggle or move (as it has to fight to get anything) to get food from parent as it has been the last 12 days. Parents are now leaving nest for long intervals and I believe the baby is dead as there is no movement from our angle. I am being told to remove him as the scent will draw predators who could come for live fledgling. I want to be sure we are doing the right thing.

 

[lagabbergirl]

We moved our dead fledgling because the nest was close to our house, so there were bird mites all over it, and the mites were starting to enter through our window. We had to move the entire nest that was atop our planter. They are cite to watch, but that's the last time we'll be having nests in our yard . Our dog also got mites on her too, and brought them in the house. Don't forget to check it before you lift it.

 

[Genes]

We moved our dead fledgling because the nest was close to our house, so there were bird mites all over it, and the mites were starting to enter through our window. We had to move the entire nest that was atop our planter. They are cite to watch, but that's the last time we'll be having nests in our yard . Our dog also got mites on her too, and brought them in the house. Don't forget to check it before you lift it.

Thank you. If that was the case, I’m thinking the surviving fledgling could be attacked with the infestation (just speculating). We were told to wear gloves and place it quickly in a bag. We haven’t personally looked at it and don’t see any flying bugs at this time. My fear was starting the other one or bothering the parents by moving something in nest.

 

[Genes]

Have you heard anything about doves eating/picking at their dead babies? Momma dove came back and fed the fledgling, and then started picking at something and eating- we saw some feathers in her beak. I have looked everywhere and can’t find anything on that. I did hear that some birds do that, but haven’t heard any thing about doves.

 

[Tired]

Doves don't normally eat any sort of meat, and most vertebrates, including carnivores, avoid rotting meat. I'd think she may have simply been trying to remove it.

 

[Genes]

Doves don't normally eat any sort of meat, and most vertebrates, including carnivores, avoid rotting meat. I'd think she may have simply been trying to remove it.

Thank you. I’m wondering if she removed it at a time we weren’t looking at nest as we never saw it again and no flies whatsoever. The nest is empty as the fledgling is 5 days old.