Here is a pic. of our one legged Morning Dove. I have no idea how it injured it's other leg. I figured it wouldn't survive very long if it couldn't perch on the feeder or the bird bath to get a drink. So I put a plant saucer on the deck for it to have water and a feeder a short ways from it. Today here he or she was. First it ate some of the safflower seeds, and then hobbled over and got a drink. It has learned to use it's wings to balance as it hops on it's one good leg. I am glad to see it doing so well considering it's handy cap. One legged Morning Dove. ( photo / image / picture from Tooty2shoes's Garden )
You're doing a great job for the dove and I really hope it manages to survive. Let's keep our fingers crossed that there aren't any preditors about.
eileen, yes I pray so also. It is getting quite good at balancing using it's wings. So I would hope it probably roosts in a tree at night.
The two Morning Doves that visit my feeders regularly feed on the thistle seed, broken sunflower seeds and small pieces of suet dropped by woodpeckers as they feed. I hope the dove learns to adjust. Patti, does it get the option of any shade? Jerry
Hi all. The dove I'm sure appreciates everyone rooting for her or him. It can fly and gets around pretty well except it can't perch to good to eat seed out of the regular bird feeder. I do have some crushed sunflower seed hearts in her feeder as well. Keeping my hopes up that she will survive and flourish.
Tooty2shoes, I think you have a new pet! Helping handicapped wildlife isn't easy, but it seems you have made a mini-habitat for this injured dove. If the word gets out, you are going to have an influx of birds pretending to be handicapped just so they can live the easy life on your deck. Bless your heart!
Marlingardener; it must be the residual effects of the people that us to live here. They raised orphaned baby fawns and then returned them to the wild. When we first moved out here there were two big does who would come up to you pretty close. I guess they were ones that where raised here and were familiar with people. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for injured animals and strays. I was always dragging them home when I was a kid. I once brought home a large black dog who promptly went into my Mom's bedroom and jumped up on her bed although it was pretty wet and stinky. We were renting at the time and couldn't keep him. When the dog catcher came to get him he had to carry him down the steps as he was afraid to walk down them. He must have weighed over 60lbs.
Our doves eat on the ground, Tooty... they hang out on my patio by the grill...and make a quick getaway when anyone (or anything named Austin) comes around. I wonder if yours could adjust to ground eating instead of the feeder?
Daisybeans: My raised feeder in the front yard is in the middle of my flower bed surrounded by foliage. They probably wouldn't feel safe because they couldn't see if a predator was sneaking up on them. We have an exposed basement on the other side of the house so putting a feeder on the upper deck is my only other option on that side of the house. I don't like to put to food on the ground because we attract to many unwanted critters being out in the country. But thanks for the suggestion any way.
Good for you tooty!! You have a new best friend for sure! I saved two baby jack rabbits once and now when I go outside they are on the front porch waiting to come in
