A diversion from my lockdown miseries almost within arm’s reach from my computer desk.
Yesterday morning while I was sitting at my computer and mostly failing to find something entertaining online to relieve my extreme boredom during this interminable lockdown I noticed a flurry of activity out of the corner of my eye and just outside the window immediately to my left. It was a pair of Eurasian Collared Doves who had obviously just begun to build their nest in one of my catalpa trees that is so close to my window its leaves often brush the glass in a breeze.
This is the female of the pair as she was waiting for her mate to bring her yet another piece of nesting material. In this species the female does all of the nest construction and the male delivers the construction materials.
I’ll never be able to get decent photos at the nest. The lighting there will always be poor, I have to shoot through my (usually dirty) window glass and there are just too many branches and too much debris in the way.
And it goes without saying that I won’t remove any of the obstructing branches and twigs in order to get slightly better photos. These birds chose this location for good reasons and some of them are related to the cover those branches and eventual leaves will provide.
In the short time I had my smaller zoom lens on these birds (several of these photos were taken at only 100mm) the male made two deliveries of nesting material to his mate.
Each time he tucked the nesting material beneath the female so she could arrange it perfectly at her convenience. A little research confirmed that this is known behavior for this species and I found it both touching and fascinating to watch. Here I like the way he’s bracing his foot against his mate as he reaches around her with the twig in his bill.
The nest will never be a marvel of complex engineering; instead it will be no more than a flimsy platform supported by a fork in the larger branches.
Some readers may remember that several years ago a pair of Mourning Doves constructed their nest in exactly the same spot chosen by the Eurasian Collared Doves. Sadly they abandoned the nest before any eggs were laid.
The collared doves may do the same thing. Catalpa trees leaf out unusually late in the spring and this spot can get quite hot for a few hours in the hottest part of the day before the leaves come out. Yesterday these collared doves disappeared for most of the afternoon after the sun hit the nest but last night at around sunset I opened my drapes to see if they had returned and the female was sitting on the nest again. So I’m hopeful.
In truth Eurasian Collared Doves will never be at the top of my list of favorite birds. They’re not native to North America and I’m not particularly fond of their call which I find somewhat annoying. But my jaded heart melts more than a little at the thought of being able to watch them raise their family through my window and only 6-8′ from where I’ll very often be sitting at my computer. All l have to do is turn my head to my left to see the nest.
I hope it happens. I could really use the entertainment and the diversion at this very difficult time for all of us.
Ron
Seeing those mourning doves reminds me of when I had to take an abandoned nest down. I was surprised to see it was nothing more than a mess of twigs, grass, and stray feathers loosely put together.
“Corvid 19 lockdown”. Now I’m imagining a “The Birds” crisis. (Hmm, perhaps this lockdown is taking its toll on me…)
Although I do wonder how crows and other scavenger birds are faring in the midst of this pandemic. Recently there have been news reports of rats in NYC resorting to cannibalism to survive…
Echoing Marty. Again.
I’m wishing I had those doves outside my bedroom window right now. What I do have is a Fox Sparrow incessantly banging into his “adversary” in the windows.
I dunno, Lyle. That sparrow sounds like fun too.
Btw, the female dove laid an egg this morning.
Ron,
I indeed remember the previous post of the doves nesting right outside your window. I was green with envy. Only for you do the birds appear on demand! I have both species commonly and in large numbers in my back yard. I have trees but near as I can tell they aren’t nesting there, only feeding at my feeders. Also feeding at my feeders makes them prey to the local hawks. Their feathers are the most frequent I find in the yard as a remnant of their demise. It is amazing to watch as dozens of birds at the feeders will suddenly all take off in a flurry seconds before the Cooper’s Hawk shows up and perches on the bowery. I imagine the smaller birds are either less of a target or faster; don’t know.
We are all going crazy with our isolation. I had emergency surgery last Sunday and so I add to my boredom, mostly bedrest. I can’t even sit in the yard and watch the feeders. Bummer.
Are you not even going out to the local ponds in Murray?
Enjoy your nesting pair,
Stephen
Stephen, I still check those ponds fairly regularly, including yesterday, but this time of year about the only birds that are on them are Mallards and domestic ducks along with a few coots. Oh, and the occasional grackle along the shore.
I hope they stay this year and you can watch the family grow.
It could go either way, April. Congrats on your recent Osprey photos.
Something about these photos really touched me. They may not be “decent” but they are very beautiful. Thanks, Ron!
Thank you, Mary.
Keep us updated… That’s so neat!
I will, Kimmy.
I would love to have a nest to watch. I’m having quite the battle with a scrub jay taking moss from my hanging basket ❗️
My feeders are thankfully keeping me entertained 😍
Take Care
If it works for entertainment it works and that’s probably the best we can ask for these days.
I like the second shot in this posting–as you said, they chose the spot
for a reason—she looks content and relaxed, almost like a lady in her
secret bower—–whoops ! anthropomorphizing again……
Thanks, Kris. Personally I’m often fine with what folks call anthropomorphizing.
Interesting photos even in the shade there. Always fun to watch birds building their nests and working on the hatching process. We have both Eurasian and Mourning in the backyard all winter. We spread non-germinating sunflower seeds and they love them. They will come and go throughout the morning pecking away. Definitely hope you get to see the little newly hatched doves.
Our semi lockdown has been very interesting to observe. We have no restrictions on outdoor activities other than to keep separated. All our city managed lakes and trails are open and the National Forest locations are all open. Just no facilities at any locations. I have seen very nervous and tightly wound people who try their best to stay away and not even look at you, and then many folks just the opposite who want to stop and chat. I have seen groups of three or four guys hiking together not separated at all, and have even seen on one of our wider trails two or three women together pushing their child strollers. One guy at one of our lakes who was heading toward me walked up a hill to get up and around me. On the other hand I have had numerous people stop me to ask a question about the location where we are.
Everett, When I eventually had to go to the grocery store recently I estimated that only between 1/4 – 1/3 of the folks I saw were wearing masks. One woman was using a scarf as a mask but… it was below her nose and only covered her mouth. And that’s where it still was when I saw her a few minutes later.
I really enjoyed today’s blog, Ron!! I have 3 Bird feeders in my yard & doves are the highest number of visitors, including the Eurasian collared doves. They don’t out number my White winged doves but do my Ground doves. I hear you when you say you don’t care for them. However, I do think they are beautiful, being so light in color. My favorites are the White winged doves – especially when they take off. Like you, I’m spending more time watching the birds that come to my yard. I’m especially honored this year with a Male & Female Painted Bunting who’ve been coming to my East feeder several times a day. Such beautiful little birds.
I’m jealous of the variety of birds at your feeders, Jo Ann – especially the buntings. I get very little variety at mine.
Fun and interesting, Ron… There are quite a few up at Highwood – took awhile to figure out what they were. We’ve had a pair or singles try to establish down here unsuccessfully. Doesn’t break my heart……. 😉 Don’t care for their call but then Mourning Doves can get on my nerves also!
Some hawk REALLY putting it to an eagle over our little valley yesterday – actually hit it a couple of times! Too far to identify tho hawk light underneath with black wing tips…….. WOW! 🙂
Judy, I saw my first two collared doves about 10 years ago. Now they seem to be very common, especially in the suburbs where they take advantage of bird feeders.
I’m not a fan of this species either. Their call…their bullying ways at the feeder…their driving out native species.
Still, I’ll take anything at this point. 😀 So I hope they do raise a family. Hawks gotta eat. (SORRY!)
Arwen, I have no problem with raptors taking birds at our feeders, even though it can be tough to watch especially if it’s one of our favorite birds.
It is hard. I have to hum “The Circle Of Life” to myself sometimes (seriously!)
I think it’s sweet that they chose your tree just so you could watch! I hope we get to see many more shots of this couple — and their kiddos! 🙂
Thanks, Marty. That would be fun.