Documenting the Diversity of Dallas/Fort Worth Urban Wildlife Since 2005
Mourning Dove – Nest Location
Dateline April 10, 2005
This is an observation of what seems to be a particularly bad choice for a nesting site. The Mourning Dove in this observation has nested in a bush just outside a busy elementary school.
This observation is interesting for a number of reasons. First is the location of the nest. The nest is located in the pick up and drop off area of the school; a very high traffic area. Second is the nest position. The nest is approximately 3/4 of the way up the bush, and while reasonably well concealed, is only at a height of 4ft/1.2m off the ground. Finally, this nest is at least two years old and was not built by the currently sitting dove. Very little, if any, modification to the original nest was done.
This is an example of what seems to be a particularly bad choice for a nesting site. The Mourning Dove in this observation has nested in the right-most bush just outside a local elementary school.A close-up of a Mourning Dove nesting just outside a local elementary school. This nest is located in a small bush about 4ft/1.2m off the ground, and next to a high traffic sidewalk. This dove allowed an approach of about 6ft/1.8m for this photo.My interest in the nest unsettled this Mourning Dove and it left the nest. It landed on the ground a short distance away and began feigning injury. The dove scurried along the ground flapping its wings, working very hard to give me the impression that she was injured and could not fly.This Mourning Dove became unnerved by my interest in her nest, and she began feigning injury to lure me away from her eggs. I followed with the camera, and at about 20yd/18.2m from the nest she ended her charade and flew away to safety.This is a close-up view of a Mourning Dove nest in a small bush just outside of a local elementary school. On a return visit to the nest on the following day I found the nest abandoned with no signs of the eggs to be found.
