YONAH•MourningDove•CARE-Contents

CARE GUIDE - CONTENTS

Please note that at the top of this page and those that will follow, there are two sets of "LINKS".
At the very top, just below the white dove image, the links are for the main, general site.
With-in the border, the LINKS are specific to the "CARE-GUIDE".
Using the "sets" of links, you can navigate through the "Care" pages or return to the general site.

INTRODUCTION
Includes:
• * Note on dove hunting. *
• * The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) *: In acordance with the MBTA, it is technically illegal to possess a mourning dove for any reason.
• Preliminary notes on the information contained on the following pages and preparation for caring for a dove.

*** PAIN & EMERGENCY ***
• GENERAL ILLNESS
• "DROPPINGS": INDICATIONS OF HEALTH, ILLNESS & WELL-BEING
• BEAK - CARE, TRIMMING: * PROFESSIONAL CARE NECESSARY *
• BLEEDING
• FRACTURES OF THE WING AND LEG (BANDAGING AND SPLINTING)
• FROST-BITE (FOR DOVES IN THE WILD)
• HOUSE-HOLD HAZARDS AND TOXINS (WHICH CAN CAUSE ILLNESS OR DEATH)
• PAIN (HOW DOVES PERCEIVE PAIN & HOW THEY RESPOND/REACT TO IT)
• WINDOW AND WALL COLLISIONS

*** TOXINS ***
• PLANTS:
House plants: toxic & safe
• House-hold toxins
• Perch materials

STATISTICS & LEGALITIES
• What you NEED to know if/when keeping a mourning dove in your home, heart, life.
• Hunting statistics
• MBTA: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
"The statute makes it unlawful without a waiver to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, posses, or sell nearly 1,100 species of birds listed therein as migratory birds. The statute does not discriminate between live or dead birds and also grants full protection to any bird parts including feathers, eggs, and nests."

CHARACTERISTICS
• Habitat: Doves in their natural environment
• Bathing * Additionally: See "Cage" for special requirements in home. *
• Flight
• Hearing
• Life-span
• Nesting
• Young
• Adults
• Mating
• Migration
• Moulting/Molting * Additionally: See "Nutrition" for special requirements in home. *
• Rest/Sleep
• Vision ("UV")
• Vocalisation

ENVIRONMENT (ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR "HOME CARE")
• Humidity
• Light
• Music
• Sound
• Temperature

* CAGES *
• SIZE REQUIREMENTS
• LOCATION
• MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
• WHAT TO INCLUDE & WHAT TO AVOID: PERCHES, BATHING, PLANTS, &c.
• COVERING: AT NIGHT

NUTRITION
• FOOD: Includes a list of suggested/recommended brands and mixes.
• Crop / Digestion Notes and diagram • Vitamin & Mineral Requirements
• Water
• Moulting/Molting: shedding/dropping feathers as a matter of normal course & STRESSFUL.
*IF MOUTLING IS NOT SEASONAL, CONTACT AN AVIAN VETERINARIAN !!! *

COMPANIONSHIP
• Mourning doves are "flocking", social beings.
• Being a proper companion (you to a dove): You MUST dedicate time to being WITH a dove!
• Doves are NOT simply "pets", NOR are they merely "decorations".
• Abandoning/Ignoring a dove will lead to complications, illness & DEATH.
• Keeping a mourning dove for treatment and release v. long-term.

"OPEN CAGE": FREE FLIGHT IN THE HOUSE
• HOUSE-HOLD HAZARDS
• TOXIC HOUSE-PLANTS
• "Air Fresheners" (HAZARD)
• Allowing time.
• What to expect.