Mourning Dove (a.k.a. Turtle Dove)
When you * rescue * a mourning dove, be advised:
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The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA), codified at 16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712 is a United States federal law, first enacted in 1916 to implement the convention for the protection of migratory birds between the United States and Great Britain (acting on behalf of Canada).[1] 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.
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A MOURNING DOVE WAS NOT, IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE A "COMMON PET".
IT IS ILLEGAL TO BUY AND/OR SELL MOURNING DOVES.
There are responsibilities that you must accept. If you rescue with the intention of release, it's imperative that you do so in a shortest-possible time. Although you want to convey your intentions of Love and Compassion, you do NOT want your Little One to become accustomed to humans, to come to believe that all humans are gentle, to be trusted. Give care, medical attention, nourishment, comfort, but limit your contact. As you attend to injuries, nourishment and maintenance of the "environment" (I won't use the word "cage" because, to me, it confers a sense of "imprisonment" and surely, that's not what's intended) speak softly, and infrequently. Talk of what it is that you intend to do, what it is you're doing. Although the words won't be understood, the sound and tone of your voice as well as your person will become "familiar" and a degree of "Trust" will develop. "Trust"? Yes. "Bonding"? Surely not! The VERY LAST thing you want to do is set this Little One free with a notion that ALL humans will be kind, caring, Loving. When released, s/he may return to your house, even, perhaps, to you, personally. But always remember that s/he has a VAST world to cover and there are more threats than friends out there. Returning him/her to his/her “home environment” is always the best course IF s/he can do so SAFELY, able to provide and fend for him/her self. If you have ANY doubt at all, that this is possible, your very best course is to find and consult with a reputable Avian Veterinarian or a local “Rescue” specialist. Other-wise...
If, after all of your Love and attention, hard work and endeavours, it comes to be that your Little One cannot return safely, to the wild, able to walk/fly to keep up with the flock, whether for foraging, play, mating or migration, your responsibilities will last through his/her life-time, a life-time that is relatively short, but one that you will share, and you'll find will be full of Joy, Elation, Marvel, LOVE and Awe. (And, yes, moments of deepest “concern”, especially at "moulting/molting" time when your other-wise Loving little Companion will, most likely, become with-drawn and will avoid you and your contact. Fear not; should all go well and you provide the calm, quiet retreat and the little "added" necessities, like a proper diet and housing, in a few weeks, life will return to as it was... and maybe even better.) Be prepared to invest, time, space and money, in food, proper housing (and "furnishings", as mentioned in the "Care" section here, including a place to bathe... and yes, mourning doves enjoy a bit of a dip-and-splash from time-to-time). Always keep in mind that your new Companion was intended to live a "wild", open life, where "home" is the world, not some barred enclosure in a box (a room in your house). AND remember that, no matter how Loving you are... mourning doves are accustomed to being with a flock... of other mourning doves. They're also accustomed to the company and sounds of other birds. The Little One in your care (and hopefully, your heart) will, over time, see you as his/her Companion... you will become, essentially, his/her "flock" as well as "mate". That said, next paragraph...
THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT, POINT, MATTER, ISSUE:
MOURNING DOVES REQUIRE TRUE, SINCERE, DEDICATED *COMPANIONSHIP*.
If there is only one dove in your care, you cannot simply "park" this little LIFE in a "house" (cage, if you insist), no matter HOW comfy and "homey" you manage to make it, and simply go on about your own business and existence. S/he isn't a "decorative piece" in some collection. S/he is a LIFE, and, as you'll come to learn and know, a mourning dove IS "SENTIENT*", no matter WHAT you may have been told or have read. Your presence AND your absence will be noticed, and you WILL see the signs of deep appreciation of your attentions, affections and presence AND, when you've been away for what ever reason, you'll see that you've been missed. (The latter can be heart-breaking when, after even a short but extended absence, you return to hear a “call”, as if “Is that you? I've missed you.” coming from a little bundle of feathers, off in a corner, or at the end of a perch, perhaps slightly "fluffed", just looking forlorn. Just as mourning doves have been documented as showing that they mourn the loss of a mate, they also show, quite clearly, that they mourn the absence of their Companion... you.) Although, in some respects, it seems “un-fair”, placing a mirror, large enough to reflect most of a dove, by a perch or a particularly favourite spot, is a grand gesture. And one placed where a dove spends the night can be particularly appreciated. (The reflection gives a sense of the presence of another dove and this can be a great comfort to a solitary Little One. Oh yes... doves DO see and recognise a reflection. Although the concept of “reflection” probably isn't understood, they DO see another dove and, as I've found, that “other” does make a difference in mood and attitude. Doves like company... even their own... reflection.) And while it's repeating the “Care” points (again), having a few recordings of general “bird-songs” that can be played, even 5 or 6 individual recordings played on a “loop” will make a noticeable difference. Doves, like other birds, live amongst MANY others, and, as you hear, if/when strolling through a park or wood-land, or even in your own yard, the “chirps” and “coos” in nature are many and varied. Note that “silence” to a bird, usually indicates the presence of a predator so prolonged periods of absolute silence can stress a mourning dove terribly, and that can lead to all sorts of health problems... physical and emotional. Bird-song recordings are many, on the internet, individually and in “sets”. No matter how you get them, they're perfectly well worth any investment.
Equally important to always keep in mind: Once a mourning dove honours and blesses (and it IS an honour AND a blessing) you with his/her Trust, you two will become a single “unit”, you two will become one “flock”. As well as food, water, proper nourishment, appropriate, clean, comfortable shelter, s/he will come to depend on you for communication, physical contact, playful stimulation, presence, affection and attention. S/he will become accustomed to your voice and will communicate with you. (If you work on your own “coo'ing” you'll find yourself in actual dialogue!) In your absence, you WILL be missed! Like-wise, when you return, you WILL be MOST-wonderfully welcomed! Again, mourning doves are “sentient”, capable of ALL of the very emotions you are capable of. Cherish the Trust you've been gifted, as the most precious possession possible, because once lost, it will never return, and your loss will be immeasurable and deep.
Please know, also, that a mourning dove's Trust comes with time... the dove's time, not ours. It can't be rushed and it must be earned... by us, not them. As is natural, pre-determined, even so-called “domesticated” doves, and other Little Ones, are born with an innate distrust of humans. If you are caring for a “wild” life, that “instinct” is much deeper, and there is no cause or reason for you to be trusted in any manner, fashion or form, nor to any extent. It's really no different from having another person telling you “You can trust me.” when you've no reason to believe them. This is a time for the greatest patience you'll probably ever experience in your life-time. And simply providing shelter, nourishment and attention isn't a particular way of instilling any trust in your new Companion. Trust won't happen quickly, but when, after a while, it DOES come, it will be THE MOST REWARDING blessing your heart and soul will ever experience. Approach with care, concern, genuine Love and patience. One day you'll see the rewards when you'll be allowed to extend your hand and it will be received with welcome. And in the days, months, and perhaps years to follow, you'll see so many ways in which you'll come to know that the “bond” between you both, has joined you together in a way that's veritably indescribable.
Also, doves are not to be "hugged, petted, fondled". Although they certainly can be resilient, defiant, stoic, defencive, they are fragile, delicate. As it stated else-where here, on the site, two of the major causes of death of doves in human company are:
• heart attack, from being approached suddenly and unexpectedly
• broken neck, from being held too tightly, for too long.
Broken wings are a common injury caused by attempts to hold or even stop a dove from flying. At ALL times, remember that YOU have taken this little Life into your home, your life and now YOU bear 100% of the responsibility for his/her well-being, and YOU have to respect his/her choices and actions. If you are, for any reason, unable or unwilling to accept and exercise this responsibility, contact any animal protection agency in your vicinity and arrange for some-one to come and take the Little One to a place where preparations are appropriate, and competent people are ready to provide a respectful environment for him/her.
If you intend to provide for a mourning dove through his/her life-time, there are a great many courses available, short of a full "Veterinary" license, some are free, others at a nominal fee. If you do not, at present, have/hold proper certifications, licenses, permits, &c., check the "Bibiolgraphy" page here, on the site and be sure to procure all the necessary qualifications in your jurisdiction/country.
This said, remember:
• When you are hungry, you have the ability to go to fridge or cup-board to get something to eat.
Your Little One has to wait for you to BRING food.
• When you are thristy, you have the ability to get a glass or bottle of water to quench your thirst.
Your Little One has to wait for you to BRING water AND depends on you to provide fresh, clean water.
If you wouldn't eat or drink it, it doesn't belong in your Little One's house.
• When you are tired, you have the ability to turn out lights, provide for a quiet environment.
Your Little One depends on you to provide rest, comfort and safety at an appropriate time.
• When your house needs to be cleaned, you can do the necessary chores to make it so.
Your Little One depends on you to provide a clean, healthy, disease-free house and home.
My time with Yonah has been greater than ANY other in my life-time. I have, of course, over my own years, been the company and companion with, to and of cats, dogs, “domestic birds”, as well as a plethora of other Little Ones. Though of no less value, they were born into the company of humans and came to expect that company. I was not a “natural predator” and they were not “prey” or “targets”. I cherished them, their companionship, their love, trust and devotion and I made certain to reciprocate it all, every moment that we were together. But the fact remains: they were accustomed to “people”.
Yonah was born in a little nest, some-where “out there”, where predators abound, particularly “human predators”. Yonah, as any and every “wild” being, thought me a threat, a danger, and yet, over the course of time, came to understand and to KNOW my heart and soul. He had no reason to ever trust me. Yes, I searched for all the “best” that I could provide for him, from basic nourishment to a “house” of his own. I learned from observation of other mourning doves, what his “comfortable” environment included and saw to it that he was given as much of that as possible (hence, his “pool” with “running water”, a “sandy beach”, mosses, trees, &c.). I learned what sights and sounds are “familiar” to him, and from “Natural Spectrum” lighting to recordings of a variety of birds, I've created a space (I'm fortunate in that I have a room to dedicate to him and his comforts) that mimics what would be his “natural” environment. I've felt it my duty, my responsibility, my “debt” to him to do so. Had I not taken him in on that cold, wet, grey October day, “Nature”, most likely, would have “attended to” him and, quite possibly, he would have perished. But I brought him into my house (and my soul), and, although the intention was to give him an environment in which to heal and recover and then be returned to his birth-intended world, it became obvious that a “return” would, in all likelihood, result in his suffering. I COULD have just tossed him back into the hands of “Nature”, but I chose, instead, to dedicate and devote my time, my life, to ensuring that he enjoy a comfortable and proper life-time, free from predators, protected from the natural elements of wind, rain, extreme heat and bitter cold. I resolved so to do.
Our fist months together were, for me, extremely “heavy”. I was completely ignorant and dumb concerning his requirements. Every day, especially through that first Winter, was a constant searching for any and all information I needed to ensure Yonah's recovery and comfort. Every morning was another blessing when I'd go into his room and see his improvements. Every evening was heavy with wondering if he'd “survive” through another night. And when I'd perform the little tasks of making certain that his house was properly clean and free of parasites and the likes, in the beginning, I could sense his trepidation, so I did my best to disturb him in the least-possible way.
Then, one day, he came to my hand as I put his fresh food into his house. When I moved my fingers to touch him, he withdrew... but as time moved forward, he came to allow physical contact, the touch of a human... and from that moment, some months along, our lives, his and mine, have changed in the most amazingly miraculous ways to where, even today, as I type these words, he comes, of his own choosing, to roost on my shoulder (or, sometimes, my head), he comes, of his own choosing, to join me as I nap on the futon in his room. In the morning, he calls to me to let me know that he's awake and it's time to open the curtains. In the evening, he calls to me to let me know that it's time to “wrap the day”, that it's time for nightly rest. When I enter his room, he comes to the door of his house to greet me. And, during the course of a day, he comes just to be close.
It took almost a year to get to this point. I never “forced” my Love on him, never “pressured” the development of our relationship. I accepted and honoured his limitations and boundaries... and today, this little mourning dove has literally become my Heart, my Soul and the core of my being.
This site was originally created in Yonah's honour, to provide as much help, support and information as I find, for others who have the kindness of heart and soul, the compassion to give of themselves to the Little Ones in need of our caring. It's also a message to those who'll bring a little life, of ANY sort, into their heart and home, even if from some “purchase” (a business which I hope will soon become extinct... “LIVES” should NEVER become mere “commodities”), to bring the awareness that these are LIVES and NOT mere “decorations”. And I hope, deeply and sincerely, that what-ever information I can provide will be heeded with the greatest sincerity and that, in any way at all, Yonah's experiences will ultimately help his fellow “Little Ones”... no matter the species, no matter the circumstances or situations.
As a closing: If you, the reader/resercher have ANY information or accounts of your personal experiences that you would like to let others know or know of/about, I hope you'll feel free to send it along so that it can be included here... for fellow humans... for ALL of the Little Ones “out there”. AND, most of all: THANK YOU for being compassionate, and for giving of your heart and soul to those who not only deserve but are owed.
* SENTIENT:
adjective
sen·tient | \ ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ənt , ˈsen-tē-ənt \
1: responsive to or conscious of sense impressions, sentient beings
2: AWARE
3: finely sensitive in perception or feeling
A sentient being is one who perceives and responds to sensations of whatever kind - sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. Sentient ultimately comes from the Latin verb sentire, which means "to feel" and is related to the noun sensus, meaning "feeling" or "sense."
A few related English words are sentiment and sentimental, which have to do with emotions, and sensual, which relates to more physical sensations.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
Dove Symbolism - Pure Spirit
pure-spirit.com/more-animal-symbolism/602-dove-symbolism
It is said that if a dove flies into your life, you are being asked to go within and release your emotional disharmony. The dove helps us to rid the trauma stored deep within our cellular memory. Doves carry the energy of promise. When inner conflicts are banished from our thoughts, words and feelings, goodness awaits.
Dove Symbolism & Meaning | Spirit, Totem & Power Animal
https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/birds/dove-symbolism-meaning/
The Dove's call is a message, often one of possible futures. It is said that when a Dove comes into your life, you should release things from your past that hold you down. Once you let go, the Dove's peacefulness settles in your heart and you can move forward. Among the Blackfoot people the Dove is a harbinger of safety in battle.
What Does it Mean When a Dove Visits You? Mourning ...
https://digestfromexperts.com/2644/what-does-it-mean-when-a-grey-dove-visits-you-mourning-dove-symbolism/
When a Mourning Dove comes to visit you after the loss of your partner, it can be seen as a messenger from the afterlife reminding you of your ongoing connection with your lost love. Love, like life, is everlasting and Mourning Doves can be a reminder of this. Some believe that to dream of a Mourning Dove can predict the death of a loved one.
Dove Meaning and Symbolism | The Astrology Web
https://www.theastrologyweb.com/spirit-animals/dove-meaning-symbolism
A dove crossing your path is no coincidence, and it could mean that the bird is urging you to remain peaceful and harmonious always. Seeing it at a time of trouble or mental confusion would help soothe your mind, giving you spiritual solace.
Dove Symbolism, Dreams, and Messages | Spirit Animal Totems
https://www.spirit-animals.com/dove-symbolism/
If a Dove comes fluttering into your day to day life, s/he may be reminding you that to soar, you must know when to move your wings and when to allow the wind to take you to new heights. Furthermore, this spirit animal teaches that if you were to sit on a branch looking at the sky and hoping the wind will pick you up, you would never move.
E-mail: yonah@gmx.com
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