Mourning Dove Hatchling And Egg Survive Fall Of Nest

mourning dove hatchling about 20 days old held in gloved hands — Courtesy of Save Our Seabirds

mourning dove hatchling sits in palm beside egg of a nestmate — Courtesy of Save Our Seabirds

two hatchling mourning doves standing on bedding in blue, plastic tub — Courtesy of Save Our Seabirds

The following story about mourning doves was shared with us by Save Our Seabirds in Florida.

On March 5, 2025, we received a call about a nest that fell that contained a very young mourning dove hatchling and an egg.

After being in an incubator for about a day, the egg hatched and we had two mourning doves with a long road ahead of them.

We started tube-feeding them with EmerAid IC Carnivore mixed with a seed-based formula to ensure they got the proper nutrients as they continued to grow.

Once they were big enough and strong enough, we switched to seed-based formula and seeds only until they were ready to be outside eating on their own.

Finally, alongside two other mourning doves, the patients were considered strong and self-sufficient to be released in mid-May.