Ring Neck Doves

[Optimist]

I have a pair of Ring Neck doves (common here) living in my side yard where my shade house is. I am wondering if I should build them a platform in a tree or something to nest in. They often have their babies eaten by cats because they tend to lay on the ground, and I wonder if they can be tempted into a tree with a basket or bowl with drainage, or something? Does anyone know?

[WhiteRabbit]

It seems that doves are rather careless about nests, and nesting site, and because of that will have a few clutches of eggs over the warmer months. A neighbor of mine had an odd shelf on an outside wall (had been used previously for something, but I can't remember what), and every year a pair of doves nested there - that was probably one of the better spots, as I don't think cats could get at it. But no matter where they nest, there is risk from predatory birds - crows especially go for the eggs.

You could try a hanging basket. I've gotten dove nests in hanging plants.

Of course, in my area, we have mourning doves - so, different species, but perhaps they have similar habits

[No-Pro-mwa]

Wish I new but you sure could give it a try.

[estación seca]

Here the mourning doves always lay eggs on the ground. The Gambel's quail often nest in flower pots. Then I have to be very careful watering.

[Optimist]

Interesting.

[cjm3fl]

Got 3 kinds of doves around here; morning, ring-neck, and a small native Floridian kind.

Never seen any nesting ground or in areas that are "low" to the ground.
Seen a pair of morning doves checkin out one of my big potted ficus trees..but they gave up with all the activity with caring for it and other nearby plants.


Ground nesting could be natures way of controlling over-population(?), maybe.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by cjm3fl

Ground nesting could be natures way of controlling over-population(?), maybe.

Well, getting mowed by a lawnmower would certainly keep the population down. Actually, I came up with a plan for some of those hanging plant baskets with the coconut husk liners hanging from a tree. It can only be "a few feet from the ground." Whatever the material used it needs to be strong and drain very well. A colander would be good too.

---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------

Originally Posted by cjm3fl

Got 3 kinds of doves around here; morning, ring-neck, and a small native Floridian kind.

I have always wanted a bird or two, and after basically eliminating every parrot, or finch, I decided that in the future I will have a couple of doves. Not sure what kind yet, but I like that they are very mellow and do not squack all day.