A few years ago, we had a family of doves and had so much fun watching the progression from building the nest to weening the babies.
Our kids were still pretty little and really invested in the whole nature thing in our backyard.
Our backyard is great for birds and we always have a nice variety, but the doves are the most fun to watch because they're large and pretty.
The doves built their nest in the eves of an attached patio right over our BBQ.
We had to abandon any outside cooking once the babies hatched.
But because they were in a good location, we could always keep an eye on them. We felt kind of special that they had picked our backyard for their home.
Unfortunately, one sunny spring morning as we were getting the kids ready for school and of course checking out the babies, we had the unfortunate experience of watching crows attack the baby birds on our patio and kill them both.
It was actually quite traumatic. We were really sad since we had been watching them closely for so long.
We never dreamed that a crow would come that close to the house. The parents seemed shocked.
I don't know if wild birds have feelings or emotions, but those parents looked sad.
It's been several years, but we now have a new family of doves nesting in another part of our backyard in a detached patio.
Again, we have been watching them closely for several weeks. The babies now look ready to leave the nest.
We have stopped letting our dogs go in the backyard, just in case. But there's nothing we can do about those mean crows.
We have a fake owl out, but I don't think that does anything.
The parents stay close, but they're no force against a crow. We would really rather not see Mother Nature and the circle of life at work again.
If we could, we would stand guard to make sure no crows attack, but that's not realistic.
All we can do is hope that these babies and mom and dad can beat the odds. We will do what we can as good hosts for our dove family.
From: Wild-Bird-Watching.com
One visitor who had crow problems offered his solution to us:
He said that he bought a taxidermy crow and hung it upside down where the crows could see it.
He said the crows are smart birds and knew to stay away. We've never tried it, but do know how intelligent crows can be.
Eating Safflower Seeds
Comments for Doves nesting on patio - Worried about Crows
A pair of mourning doves laid eggs in one of my planters.
When I noticed crows hanging around, I bought some Bird Scare Tape, which is more of a ribbon than a tape so nonadhesive.
I cut a 3-foot (1-meter) strip and tied one end to the hook their planter was hanging from.
The ribbon flutters in the wind and makes a rustling noise.
It is also super reflective, which is what the crows don't like. The doves weren't too thrilled with it either, but they quickly got used to it.
I cut two more pieces and tied them to two other planter hooks.
When the adult male began trying to coax the chicks out of the nest, I removed the bird scare tape so that the fledglings wouldn't be too scared to move.
The next day, the nest was empty.
The fledglings are fine, as do I see them perching around.
I highly recommend using bird scare tape but only AFTER the doves have laid eggs, as this item is intended to scare all birds.
Apr 12, 2023
Killer crow strikes again by: Bret
This morning marks the 2nd time I know of where a crow has swooped in on momma dove in a hanging basket on the porch and taken both eggs one at a time.
I've scared this crow off a few times, but it got up early this morning and got one egg before I got up (I heard something on the porch but didn't realize what had happened).
Then it returned about ten minutes later and within the time it took me to leap across the living room to the front door it was gone.
I saw it through the door window take the egg and fly up into a tree across the street with a small bird attacking it while it was in the yard.
This was her 2nd attempt this year, so I took the planter down and moved it against the house, under the porch.
Probably won't stop crows, but I can't stand seeing this happen again.
As I was leaving for work I saw momma dove on the power line and I cooed my best dove call which I have done since the doves moved into the hanging planter.
She flew under the porch and landed on a chair. Looked around and at me. I tried to approach but she decided to call it quits and took off.
Soooo sad. Four days ago, I managed to scare that crow off before it could get those two perfect eggs.
Momma bird saw me scare the crow off. She flew to the roof, I cooed at her after I checked for eggs.
I was standing two feet from the basket, and she flew right onto the basket and on the eggs.
She gave me a wink! We're buds. But now, I dunno.
Mar 20, 2022
Crows harming baby birds by: GingerName
We had the same experience with the crows in our first bluebird baby fledgling last year.
The fledgling got to the tree and the crow grabbed it and killed it.
This year I have baby bluebirds again getting ready to fledge and use cap guns I got at the dollar store to scare a crow when I see him.
The crows don't like that noise.
And I chase them away when I do see them around.
I think the most effective thing so far is using the dead crow from Amazon. So far the crows seem to not be coming around so closely.
But I'm keeping a total watchful eye til these babies fledge and get up in a tree, then I have to let go…..
Mar 09, 2022
Crows eat baby dove by: Larry
We just lost a baby Dove that I thought was too large for the crows to get, The nest was in a hanging plant pot on our porch.
It had the baby and an egg, which we assumed was a bad egg and never hatched.
The crows came in and I scared them away, and left our screen door open so my dogs would bark if they came.
But this morning before I opened the door I heard the crows and the baby was missing from the nest.
I found him on the front lawn with his head almost severed and his head all poked in.
I disposed of his body so at least the crows didn't get their meal.
Going to remove our hanging pots as we cannot witness this.
I heard it said that you cannot preserve entropy But it felt that I could, that I could guard them from the fight
All that energy stored in their tiny fragile bodies
All those cells organizing into something ordered and growing into flight
Now they fly inside the belly of a crow
And I weep as chaos descends on me because now I know.
Sep 06, 2020
Sad by: Anonymous
We have a nest of these majestic doves always building in our pine trees close to our house. I am always watching them.
I talk to the parents when I take my dogs out on leashes.
We have a six door privacy fence and this morning when I went out to check into the babies that were a few days old I was horrified to see feathers and then a tail came down around and cat was looking down at me.
I am so angry as I watched the mother sit on my roof and stare at her empty nest with such a sad look.
My hearts hurts because this is not nature it's irresponsible pet owners letting their cats out to roam the neighborhood.
I am confused why the birds don't want to leave my roof.
Aug 03, 2020
Jackie by: Anonymous
I have had the same doves come back for a few years, they had twins which I so enjoyed watching.
Unfortunately, yesterday, I was on the phone and my dog caught one and killed it. I am horrified and feel responsible. So much joy, then so much sadness.
So sad to see, but we tried our best! Still devastated though!
Aug 03, 2020
crows in Upper Michigan by: Anonymous
I just heard robin's very upset. Yes, one crow got a nestling and flew right over me with it dangling from its mouth with both parents chasing it.
One went back to the nest after 50 yards to chase away the other crow.
Didn't wait for the chasing robin to come back, but after 3-4 minutes never saw it, so I hope it didn't get killed to.
May 17, 2020
2 nestlings lost by: Anonymous
Yesterday, I saw a crow swoop down and knock the parent bird off the nest to carry off a nestling. I tried to protect the last nestling, but it too was taken.
I know this happens all the time, but we don’t see it or think about it. Circle of life, but tragic to see.
May 14, 2020
Two doves nesting in palm tree by: Anonymous
We have a pair of mourning doves nesting in a palm tree in our yard.
I have heard stories of crows and other predators harming and killing eggs and chicks, and we sure don't want that to happen.
What can we do to keep the doves and their nest safe?
May 13, 2020
Crow attacks dove nest by: Anonymous
I watched a crow sit above a dove's nest that was in the drainpipe of the house behind mine.
The crow then grabbed the mother dove who was sitting on the nest, tore off one of her wings, and threw her to the ground.
The crow then grabbed and swallowed each of the eggs.
I have never seen anything like that before in my life. Very traumatizing to say the least.
May 12, 2020
I witnessed the attack. I am traumatized by: Anonymous
I just read most of all the stories on here. I had been watching 2 young doves and parents.... under our pergola roof. They probably were able to leave the nest soon.
I woke up this morning to noise on my pergola roof. Looked out and saw a crow pinning down a bird... and pecking at it.
It took it and flew. The dove nest was empty. The parents came back. And one baby dove .... but throughout the day I don’t know what happened.
Nothing in the nest now. I’m so sad and traumatized.
May 02, 2020
Just lost our remaining fledgling today by: Leslie
Gosh ... I just spent the past 45 minutes reading this entire thread, because to my dismay and HORROR we lost our nine day old fledgling today.
Because of the stay at home thing we have been watching it hourly, and one moment it was there with his cute little head poking out and the next hour it was gone.
We searched the entire area and found all the feathers in the middle of our lawn.
I began researching and saw that crows were most likely the culprit. (We are in Corona, CA) I feel as though our fledgling fell from the nest and then the crow attacked it.
I don’t know how the crow would’ve seen it in its nest because it’s hidden under our porch so well!!???
I’m so sad and broken-hearted and have a true love/hate relationship with nature right now.
If the parents come back I will try the Mylar balloons and the little balloon weights from the dollar store that were mentioned. Shining objects!!! Thanks to all ...
Mar 30, 2020
Foil that crow! by: Anonymous
Thanks for this post! I have been trying for years to get a pair of doves to return and have succeeded.
Because of the pandemic, we are home, and the predator crow has shown himself.
I tied a mylar balloon, still on the ceiling from Valentine's Day, to a paint can and set it on the patio.
Now I am going to string up strips of foil. Babies are just a few days old.
Mar 17, 2020
Crow took dove baby by: Anonymous
We lost a baby dove to a vicious crow this morning. It's the second year the doves made a nest in our hanging basket.
I think there is still a baby left but it's hard to tell.
It's quite upsetting to witness the whole thing.
My 93-year-old mother and I both watch the doves. She wasn't around when the crow took the baby and I don’t want her to know what happened.
It helped to read about your experiences. Thank you.
Jul 21, 2019
Mourning doves on patio by: Anonymous
My story is so much like yours. The adult dove sacrificed itself. I had to take the babies to project wildlife. They would have froze.
YES A DEAD CROW! Crows are smart. They tend to avoid where another crow died or a dead crow is, 👍
Apr 29, 2019
moving eggs by: Gene
They may push them out of the nest if they are no longer viable. Most of the time they just move on.
They do not move them to incubate in a safer environment.
If eggs are suddenly missing, it's most likely a predator like raccoons, cats, crow and jays or snakes.
Apr 28, 2019
Dove eggs protection by: Anonymous
Will Doves Move their eggs to protect them?
Apr 23, 2019
So what’s the answer??? by: Birdlover
I am so sorry to hear all the sad stories of those crows attacking Doves babies.
I have had the same problem. I just want to do something about it. The most information I’ve received is mylar strips and electronic bird repeller. I Think I will try the strips first.
Jul 21, 2018
crows by: Gene
The raptors will prey on the young crows and the crows will prey on the dove squabs.
Jul 20, 2018
Crows and doves. by: Anonymous
I live in a forested seaside resort community. There is a pair of doves that seem to nest in a pine next to my home. They call to each other each morning.
There are also many crows that share those trees. I have seen no interaction between the species. Also have eagles, hawks and owls.
The crows harass the raptors, but seem to ignore the doves and smaller birds. I find this odd. Is it an odd or unusual behavior?
Jul 04, 2018
Tin foil by: Anonymous
Anonymous can you post photo of how you hung the tin foil? Up and down like an ornament, how long...
Jun 12, 2018
BirdXPeller Said It Will Scare All Birds by: rtrolland
To Anonymous, or anyone else who has used the BirdXPeller Pro...
I called BirdX and they told me that the units would scare away doves and all birds too.
That doesn't make sense, because they have different units which supposedly target different birds.
Does anyone else here have experience w/ the BirdXPeller? I saw that even Target had it (out of stock at this time).
The other day we watched crows swoop in and carry off live dove hatchlings.
We were horrified. But the doves are in tall trees on our street.
A ladder wouldn't even get us up there, we'd have to hire a tree truck to put nesting boxes or the balloons, etc, and we wouldn't be able to treat the other trees on the street, because they're not on our property.
so sad!!!
Jun 08, 2018
Doves nesting on patio worried about crows by: Anonymous
We had a crow attack the other day. Fortunately I was home and able to scare him off. I have since hung strips of aluminum foil around the nest and even on the planter the doves are in.
I watched a crow swoop down towards the nest and then fly away. We are day three with no more attacks.
The doves are not bothered by the foil, I believe their instincts to get back to their babies overrides their fear.
They seem quite used to it now. Fingers crossed this works!! They are getting big and only have few days left in nest.
May 21, 2018
Electronic/Sonic Bird Repeller will keep the Crows away by: Anonymous
We've had scores of Mourning Dove's nests in the backyard, and under our balcony in 30+ years of living at the house and had noticed the same problem with the crows attacking the baby chicks.
Luckily, we've had success in deterring the Crows, while not scaring off the Doves, by installing a Sonic Bird Repeller (Bird-X-Peller Pro V. 2.0), specifically designed to target Crows (among other types of birds).
It has worked extremely well for 10+ years or so and is well worth the $199 cost of the unit.
I'll gladly purchase another once this one craps out, and wouldn't really have much choice, because the neighborhood is still filled with hundreds of Crows -- they just won't come within a 1,000 ft. radius of the Unit\Speaker.
Anyway, you might want to try one out if you're seriously wanting to stop the Crows from attacking.
May 15, 2018
Crows by: Gene
Unfortunately, crows and other birds eat the eggs and young of birds. There isn't much you can do unless you can find a way to block the invaders out.
Most of those efforts would also prevent the doves from nesting. They will find another nest site though.
May 15, 2018
2 new baby doves....1 adult dove dead by: Anonymous
I am so glad to find these similar stories. We have a nest on our front porch in a hanging basket.
The doves return to it every year...but in the last year, we have seen attacks on both parents and babies.
Yesterday I found an adult dove dead on the sidewalk bordering our house.
Panicked I thought the bee-hatched babies would be gone as well. They were in the nest alone...but soon after the (mother or father) parent returned to feed them.
I'm so worried as to how they can be kept safe from the crow we seem to have more of.
Has anyone MOVED THE NEST to a safer spot??? Crows do not come in our backyard.
I am tempted to try and replicate the hanging nest while the parent is in it.
Apr 25, 2018
I'm a city girl but I love nature. by: MS
About a week ago, I saw a dove fly up to my apartment's balcony, inspect the area and jump into my bike's basket.
This kept going on for a couple of days with another dove present.
I didn't know much about birds but I thought it would be so cool if they were a pair of love birds looking for a place to start a family.
And this is what they were doing.
I saw special types of twigs being flown into the basket and one dove on top of the other building its nest.
Just a couple of days ago I saw a small white egg, just one.
I couldn't believe my eyes, I thought this was so beautiful. A family was about to be created on my balcony.
Then this morning, as I was getting ready to go downtown, I saw a crow fly onto my balcony.
I immediately looked at the nest and saw the egg (alone) and I ran toward my window and scared the crow away. This happened twice.
I prayed that the crow wouldn't come back while I was gone.
Unfortunately, when I got back to the apartment and ran to my balcony I saw that the egg was gone and there was yolk on the nest and on the floor.
I was heartbroken. I'm so sad to go back to my apartment now and look out the window.
I don't know what the next steps should be, if I should do anything and if the mother dove will return.
Apr 15, 2018
Baby doves by: Coralie
We are in England and have a dovecote in the garden.
This week we have had crows trying to get the chicks.
Not seen them doing this in the past and they are coming back every 30 minutes or so.
Apart from having the air rifle at the ready, any ideas on how to dissuade these birds?
At the moment I am watching and just opening the door scares them off, but I know they are very intelligent.
I even have a dead crow hanging in the garden, but they seem to ignore that.
I am hoping they will get fed up with being scared off, I don’t really want to spend all day "dovecote watching"
Mar 19, 2018
protecting squabs by: Gene
When it comes to protecting the nest and young there are no clear answers. Test and see what works. Thank you for caring about our birds.
Mar 19, 2018
Protecting Baby Doves by: Anonymous
We had two baby doves in a hanging planter in our courtyard that were thriving well.
As they got older I started to notice that the parents were not in the nest as much.
This morning I saw a big ol' black crow flying away from our courtyard.
Sure enough, when I looked in the nest, both babies were gone. Absolutely heartbroken.
We are thinking about building a round cover made out of chicken wire to secure to the planter with a wide enough opening for the parents, but not large enough for crows.
Any thoughts on this? We are very new at this bird stuff!
Feb 22, 2018
Unfortunate by: Anonymous
Just had the same situation happen to us(in NSW-Australia). About two weeks ago we had spotted doves come and build a nest outside our kitchen window under the balcony.
It's covered, and they built it so that you can see it from inside the house, but not when you're out in the yard.
They had 2 babies that we watched grow up, get fed and even worry when the mother left for a few hours wondering if we should get them on a heat pad.
Well, this morning at about 3am, I was woken up due to my illness, and when going downstairs for the bathroom I heard some rustling on the roof.
It's plastic sheet stuff, so you can hear birds walk on it very distinctively.
I opened the back door and turned on the light and no birds in the nest. Another member of the house also said they heard the birds chirping and the roof making noise.
We have sulpher crested cockatoo's that come very close to the nest and get hand fed, and feed from the grain that we had left for the doves.
We also have a pair of crows that frequent the area, and a kookaburra that we sometimes see.
Very sad to see happen, especially after we have just lost our family dog of 12 years. I know it's nature, but damn it sucks.
Both parents came to the nest looking around confused also. Just very saddening...
Oct 26, 2017
Oh my heart! by: South African
I had laughing doves on our braai area on the balcony. I was so honored they had chosen our place!
A Crow came for the eggs and one day it ate one.
Another day it scared the mother and the egg was out of the nest.
I put it back even though I didn't think it would still hatch because it looked cracked to me.
It eventually hatched and the Crow came and I chased it away because most of the time the mother would crash into our sliding door trying to run from it, alerting me in the process to give chase.
This happened until the baby was too big for parents to sit on.
So 2 days ago I decided to leave to give them space to feed their child as I saw them around.
When I came out again the nest was empty.
I had thought the 11-day-old baby dove was too feathery to be eaten!
I was devastated and full of what-ifs and things I should have done differently. 💔
The parents kept coming back as if disbelieving.
They even come closer to our windows and around the kitchen window, as if they suspect their baby is inside our house.
Really broke my heart. Now looking into crow deterrents so that if they try again I can be ready.
Jul 05, 2017
doves attacked by: Gene
The cover was the factor in the doves choice for a nesting site. The flags may help if they choose to nest again and only then, does preventing crow attacks matter.
Jul 03, 2017
Baby Doves Gone Parents Devastated by: CA Bird Lover
We have hosted several nests over the past two years as we have a deeply covered overhang with flower baskets on our back patio.
The fledglings had hatched and were making good progress.
Late last week the ficus trees were cut back by the association which provided shade and a screen to the back area.
Last night I noticed the mom was not in the nest and when I looked further the babies were gone.
Both parents have been circling around, checking and checking the nest, and are just staring into space. I now believe it was crows.
They move fast and are stealthy.
So I have these flags I picked up in Saulita last month and I'm going to string them on my patio. Will this help?
Jun 18, 2017
it happens; it's awful by: Anonymous
One of the hanging baskets outside our kitchen door has no plant in it, just for the doves, who come back every year and put up with us walking back and forth right next to them.
The year before last they raised 3 families of babies but it took a lot to outwit the crows.
Special "predator" music, fake owl (must change position every other day), wrapped the entire porch area with bird netting twice a day (unwrap in a.m., wait for the father to come back and mother to leave; re-wrap.
Unwrap around dinner time, and wait for the mother to come back and the father to leave for the night.
Last year we were not so vigilant, I didn't know the babies had hatched and one morning, the father and the babies were gone.
When the mother came home for the day shift, she just sat on the edge of the basked and stared into the nest, for hours. Imagine.
You come home and everyone's dead. Gone.
The crows are cunning. They know to wait until we're away before they approach the house.
Now we have 2 little eggs and I'm going to start wrapping the porch area with bird netting sooner than later. And get a BB gun.
May 07, 2017
Doves return after nest disaster by: Anonymous
A pair of doves made a nest in our hanging fuchsia, but when the eggs hatched, a raven attacked and killed the two fledglings.
The nest was empty for 2-3 days, but now the dove parents have returned.
Is this common?
I just noticed one nestled down in the plant this morning.
Apr 28, 2017
Shiny scarecrow by: Anonymous
Lots of shiny mylar balloons and Pinwheel's. The balloons don't have to be inflated. Just hang them from string and they blow in the wind.
I hang them all around the perimeter of my patio. Somewhat close to the ground because the crows walk in to where they think there is a nest.
They don't fly right in. I use pretty large deflated silver balloons.
Neighbors were perplexed but once I explained they no longer thought I was totally nuts. They also said they noticed less crows all around their yard too.
So far so good. Did this last year and it worked. Hope it works again.
One additional thing I'm trying this year is the balloon weights from the dollar store that are the shiny foil like ones.
I put them on the ground around the perimeter of the patio. Nice and heavy so they don't blow away.
Apr 15, 2017
Shiny moving objects by: Anonymous
I put Mylar balloons around my deck and added a few more sparkly things that move in the wind.
I saw info that said crows don't like shiny things that move! My dove has hatched one of her eggs today so I'm hoping for the best with my crow deterrent!
Apr 06, 2017
Damn Crows! by: Dove Lover
I had doves on top of my tiki bar last year, which is under a gazebo and we were thrilled. I knew little about the crow predators until they stole the 2 eggs almost in front of me.
Crows are extremely smart, bold, and aggressive compared to most local birds. Sadly, the doves seem so innocent and not very smart.
The first clue is the rather sloppy and effortless nests they build compared to most birds. Regardless, we love them!
This year, they returned and made their nest in basically the same place, but even more concealed than last year.
This time one of the 2 eggs hatched and I assumed the other would also hatch during the day while I was at work. When I got home, I checked the nest and saw no parent! Uh oh!!!
I got a chair and peeked in and the hatchling, the other egg, and all evidence of the assault were gone!
I was so furious but mostly sad. I know it's nature's course, but I selfishly hate it.
The mother returned today, about a week after the attack, and just laid 2 more eggs in the same nest.
I'm seriously going to try and protect them more this time, but I'm not sure how, unfortunately.
If anyone has had success with crow deterrents, short of killing them, please let me know! Thanks!!!
Apr 05, 2017
Baby doves by: Anonymous
Thank you for sharing your post. We also had two fledglings and just this morning they were attacked and killed.
This is the second year the doves came back, last year their eggs were taken. It is sad and you want to protect them, but there is nothing you can do.
We live in a patio home and the nest was right next to the stucco wall of our neighbor's home and only about 4 feet from the ground and still, they got attacked.
Jul 02, 2016
doves return by: Gene
If they felt the site was no longer secure they will move on. Crows do eat the eggs and young of other birds. So do many other birds.
Jul 01, 2016
Crows and an empty Nest by: Nicole
I'm so sad... We had dove's nest, have hatchings and somehow I managed to see them off the day they flew the coup. It was awesome.
The mom and dad came back last week, about a month has passed since the babes flew off.
I was so happy they returned and we watched them build a new nest then over the past few days a parent has been in the nest all day every day but I haven't seen any eggs.
This morning the nest was empty.
I did see what I believe to be Shelia E and Prince (oh that is what we named them after The Purple One's passing).
My husband said he saw crows on the fire escape about an hour later.
I'm so sad I don't know what happened, why they left, or if the crows were involved.
Side note we live in the city and the nest was in a planter on our fire escape, right at window level.
Will they come back? Ideas on what happened. Grieving Auntie...
Jun 14, 2016
Doves and wildlife. by: Anonymous
I have a dove on a nest on one of the large cedar branches. This AM I found dove feathers, under the nest on the ground!
At first, I thought it was the female, but she was sitting on the nest! I believe it was her mate and I remember them flying back and forth every 60 seconds building the nest.
There are also crows that frequent my yard, but I don't know what actually killed the dove and there was no body! Also, a baby deer disappeared several days prior!
It was the size of one of my large cats, who are strictly indoors. I thought of intervening, since the fawn was only a day ot two old, but I didn't and.now I regret it.
I was hoping the mother would find him. There isn't anybody out there who helps the deer, except poachers and animal control with a bullet to the head!
Society has become as calloused as mother nature! I have rescued a lot of cats and will rescue other animals as needed.
It's nice to hear other people giving animals a chance.
May 05, 2016
Thank you for letting me know im not crazy by: Barbara
Your post made me smile and feel sad at the same time... I swear I was reading my own story.
Last year we had the same situation, the eggs hadn't hatched yet and the mama was religious about sitting on them.
We have security cameras and had one honed in on the nest because it was like our newest pet.
We stopped letting the dogs out back and walked so quietly all the time back there not to disturb them too.
I work at home and one day I looked up and saw a crow that was as big as me, under the patio and I took off running after it.
I was able to scare him away in time and the mom got back on the eggs a couple of days later we had two babies who ended up growing and flying away.
Now they are back with their own nesting.
I guess when you spend so much time watching them, they get to know you in a way and you recognize their coloring, so I know at least one of them.
Flash forward to this year and a couple of weeks ago they started nesting and I went on crow watch, to the point that my family calls me the crazy bird lady haha.
The other day a giant crow made it under the patio and although I got to him, he came back the next day and they're gone abandoned the eggs.
They still sit around the patio and are here every day and all day but haven't gotten back up in the nest again.
I am so grateful to read your suggestion and we are going to try it.
I hope your doves come back too.
I don't know what it is about them, maybe because they just seem so innocent, but I too felt special that they picked our patio to build their home. Take care
Apr 03, 2015
I hope it wasn't a crow... by: beach mom
We've had the joy of watching doves in our courtyard build a nest and hatch two babies.
They are about one week old. This morning around 7 am, one of the faithful parents was there with the babies.
When we left for school at 8 am the nest was empty!
Yesterday morning, the parent left for about 30 minutes, but the babies were in the nest.
I think they are too young to fly! I hope they are safe somewhere and learning to fly...
Jun 02, 2014
Killer Crows by: Nini
I have Eastern Wood Phoebes that have nested in the same spot on my porch overhang for 6 years now.
I started feeding the squirrel's sunflower seeds this year and here come the crows.
They have killed the last nest of fledglings and this morning I went out to check and they have destroyed the eggs the Mama just laid.
I think they might have killed the Mother Pheobe also as there were feathers everywhere.
I am heartbroken. I am sending off for a CD called Crow Away, Google it. See if that helps.
You would think they would not nest there anymore but they just keep on trying and I keep on getting heartbroken (as I am sure the Mother and Dad Phoebe are also.)
Will let you know if it works.
May 18, 2013
Patio Dove Nest by: joe
We have nesting Mourning Doves in a planter on our patio and have been there several days on the eggs.
The nest is in sort of a protected location and hopefully will be adequate and safe for this hatch to survive.
Mar 14, 2013
Thank you by: Cristin
Thank you for your post. I very much enjoy the dozen doves that live around my condo complex and since I am calm around them, they chose to nest on top of the porch lamp.
I've been enjoying watching them building their nest and then this morning, a crow came and flew very close to them scaring them away.
A few years ago, someone within the condo tore down a nest that two doves had been working on for a week.
Within a day, there was a new nest and this time, in my backyard. The dove had her babies but the crows attacked and killed them within a couple of days.
Mother Nature can be so cruel.
And by the way...animals can sense loss. Whether they have the cognitive abilities to figure why, is a mystery.
