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MODO fledgeling



Hi folks;
I am writing with an interesting thing I have seen, a Mourning Dove baby.
Day before yesterday, upon arriving home, I startled a family of Mourning
Doves up from my garden pond. Two of them flew, but a youngster stayed,
(not realizing, I suppose, that humans sometimes eat doves), allowing me
to get within 3 feet or so. It was smaller than mom and pop, with a
square tail, and down feathers still on the head and neck! Calculating
the age of this kid, I would have to suppose it started as an egg
sometime in early March, or even possibly February!
Calculations:
Probably no more than one week from the nest puts it in the nest the
first week of April.
Nestling stage, at least 2 weeks, puts it hatching in the 3rd week of
March.
Incubation (I think) around 18 days, puts it as being laid around the
first week of March. It was *cold* then!
If any of these calculations are too short, then it pushes things back to
February.
Having seen MODO nests, and seeing sky through the bottom of them, I am
amazed they pulled this off.
This is evidence of the amazing reproductive powers of MODO's.
Condidering that they have about 60 to 80% die off every year, I guess
they need it.
Also have seen a Broadwing last week in Brevard, and Red Tail on the way
to Franklin.
Alex Netherton
The Appalachian Naturalist
http://www.appalachian-naturalist.com
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