Eurasian Collared Dove Chick Saved From Cat

The following story about a Eurasian collared dove was shared with us by Olive’s Place Dove & Pigeon Sanctuary, Inc. in Oklahoma.

A Eurasian collared dove chick was brought to Olive’s Place, having been removed from the nest by a cat. The chick was approximately 4 or 5 days old, and had some food in the crop. No punctures or injuries were found, but he received antibiotics as a precaution. EmerAid was used for his first feeding.

The orphan chick was placed with a domestic ringneck dove pair (sanctuary residents who have on past occasions been willing to foster very young orphans — as sanctuary birds are not allowed to breed).

The pair accepted the baby, but were not feeding a sufficient amount, and it appeared that the chick was reluctant to beg.

Small meals of EmerAid were used three or four times daily to supplement parental feedings for the first three days, then the baby was transitioned to formula supplemental feedings until he was weaned.

Due to his arrival late in the season, he over-wintered in a pre-release aviary, and was released the following spring.