This injured mourning dove in my backyard stole my morning. Find out how… Now I LOVE birds. I’m a bit of a bird maniac, in fact, and I love all the birds that come into my backyard. The pomegranate tree is blooming, which means hummingbird time! Yesterday, I caught sight of a whole flock of white pelicans circling overhead. I have the regulars too: scrub jays, mockingbirds, sparrows, finches, crows, the occasional hawk, and, of course, lots of mourning dove pairs. So Tuesday morning a mourning dove flew into our sunroom window. I heard it from bed and came out to find the dove a little stunned but walking and not dragging his wings or anything. I figured he’d shake it off and fly away. But he didn’t. At dusk, he did jump up on the watering can and onto the picnic table bench. I figured he’d get his groove back soon. I left him food and water and hoped he’d make it through the night (cats!). He was still here Wednesday morning. He hid all morning, but there he was in the afternoon peeking out from behind a bush. I called our local Wildlife Care volunteer for mourning doves. She seemed to think he was a fledgling and was a little “fly-scared” after the window incident. She said to watch him for the day and call back if he hung around much longer. When my son Clyde got home from school, I had him help me corner the dove. He’s fast! The dove lifted up a few times, seemed to be doing okay. Then I caught him and lifted him onto the picnic table hoping it would help him fly off. He just stood on the picnic table. And stood. This morning, there he was. I called Animal Control and they said to bring him into the local Animal Care Center. I went out to catch him. I figured I could use my cat carrier to take him in. But man, he’s fast for an injured fellow. You should have seen me running around my yard like a frantic person in garden gloves. He did lift off again, but this time I noticed he definitely had a problem with one wing. Then I proceeded to lose him. My yard is tiny, people, and I can’t find where he’s hiding now. He’s nowhere to be found. Hopefully I’ll catch him later when Clyde gets home from school and can help me. sigh And so the saga continues… +++ What about you? Have you ever had an injured bird in your backyard? What did you do (don’t tell me if it didn’t end well; trying to be hopeful)?
