Let's Talk About American Mourning Doves

[@kaiapanda9430]

A pair of mourning doves would frequent my yard too, and dig up seeds that fell from our hanging bird feeder. This week though, one of them passed away, and I buried her under her favorite maple tree. Her mate wouldn’t leave her body and even paced around that same spot for days after she was gone. Since she died, I’m trying to make sure that he is well fed and that their chicks are safe from harm. People really underestimate the emotional and intellectual capacity of these birds. I love them so much.

[@bess8523]

Kind of you🥰

[@brandyjean7015]

Yes, seed (not worm) eaters.

[@10.11.9]

@@buffman09 What is magnificent about them?

[@Mercifulkingdom]

@@10.11.9 they are biblical they are also spoke of in the holy scriptures of the Bible.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

@@10.11.9 classic licker don't blame them the wanted to walk with the Giants but don't blame me blame the licker. Your all toast 😂

[@coreyledin-bristol7068]

I love these chubby little birds. I love how they walk instead of hop. Their sad cooing is beautiful in the evening.

[@Decrtgy]

On a cold morning half asleep and you hear them

[@mellie4174]

Love thier call too. One of my favorite things that i miss here in France

[@Caleb-fv5fp]

I’m so glad they are back and they didn’t go extinct

[@tysonfontanez]

they're the main kind of bird I see where I live, even more prevalent than rock pigeons, and they are so fun to watch

[@MikehMike01]

@@Caleb-fv5fp they’ve never been close to extinction

[@RonSparks2112]

Just an FYI: Doves don't eat worms. They are seed eaters exclusively. You can buy dove seed if you want to feed them.

[@crs7937]

and you can buy doves...if you want to feed the cats! I have five cats...all indoor cats with 3 floors to play around in!

[@2degucitas]

Silly British man. Robins eat worms!

[@donabolt3079]

Our doves like the cracked corn in the chicken pen

[@loura246]

I've cared for doves at multiple reputable zoos and while seeds are definitely part of their diet, we always fed them minced produce as well.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

Except for when they're babies. They also eat crop milk.

[@ritathomas5167]

My parents had mourning doves around their home. My mom always liked that particular type of bird. The morning after my father died, I was over at their home, making breakfast for my Mom. As we sat at the kitchen table, a mourning dove suddenly flew and perched on the outside windowsill, right next to my Mom's chair. He sang his song for awhile, then flew off. This continued every morning for about a week. My Mom and Dad always used to have breakfast together every morning. It was their quiet time together. Up until the day my Mom passed away she felt as if that mourning dove was my Dad - spending just as few last mornings together.

[@amandah.1468]

Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.

[@infallibleblue]

It probably was.

[@t-murph9371]

Damn man that’s so sad I’m so sorry to hear that god bless you

[@megnotmegan1966]

I believe it❤

[@kathrynterlikowski7302]

I’ve experienced this many years ago and each year a pair of birds would return to my window ledge. I would speak to them in hopes of not scaring them. No idea if they got used to me talking to them but they and their babies would look at me. It was pure joy to see them every year.

[@californiahiker9616]

Same here. I had a pair lay eggs and raise their young 3 separate times in one season. They put their nest on top of a pillar just under the eaves. They weren’t aware I was able to watch from behind the window. I watched the „changing of the guard“ many times. Then I watched the young being fed. Finally, out of the nest and into the street. It was a wonderful! experience. I missed them once the breeding stopped.

[@spyone4828]

There is a small tree in my yard near my door and a pair of doves decided it was theirs. They just became neighbors. As I was leaving for work I would say things like "Good evening, missus Dove. Nice day today, isn't it."

[@thomgandet8369]

In Tucson, where it is very hot and very sunny, a dove and/or its mate, would nest in the gutter at least twice a year. In full sun. At temperatures north of 100F. They were called "dopey doves", because wouldn't you be after that?

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🐄🐝

[@PleaseDontEatAnimals]

I'm so envious! My partner and I became bird watchers during the pandemic and enjoy seeing baby birds in the wild, but none have chosen our yard to raise their babies...yet. 🤞

[@friedtomatoes4946]

I used to use my hands to mimic mourning doves on my walk home. They used to come in drove to listen to the human that could do their call. It started out with like three watching me and ended up with the entire power line flooded every time I came off the bus. I was like a Disney princess lol

[@user-wj2zv1vd8y]

Awesome!

[@uppercasedtheelowercases3123]

Oh my beep!!! Me too. Minus the droves.

[@manxkin]

I love Mourning Doves. Their coo and the whistling sound their wings make when they take to flight from the ground. You're looking quite dapper by the way. Enjoyed your meet up with Shaun.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Yes, that’s the perfect description of the sound their wings make. “Whistling.” I think mourning doves are special too.

[@isometimespaintstuff]

The word "dapper" should be used much more often.

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 👀🌊

[@vger2]

I can’t stand the noise this bird makes. It literally has me researching ways to attract more birds of prey to the area.

[@isometimespaintstuff]

@@vger2 Well that's a bit much I mean you could just ignore it.

[@donaldvincent]

Years ago I was given one with a broken wing by friends at work. Because I had a few birds they felt I would be best able to help this bird. Well a trip to the vet got her on the road to recovery but she would never fly again. So I set her up in a quiet part of the house and the wife & I sang with her daily for the next eight years. I had no idea they could live so long. She was a wonderful bird to have around. Years later we still miss her answering back everytime someone called "Whoo Whoo"...

[@irisblue2332]

In high school I used to occasionally pet sit for one of the rangers in our parks district. She had a number of unusual animals that could no longer live in the wild because of injuries. One was a dove named Sparkles. I would form a fist like the little hand puppet where you move your thumb up and down to make the puppet's "mouth" move. Sparkles would stick her beak in the mouth hole. I would gently shake my fist a little saying "Got your beak! Got your beak!" and Sparkles would basically bird giggle like a child playing "Got your nose." Not sure which of us were more amused by it!

[@donaldvincent]

@@irisblue2332 That is a great story. Thanks for sharing. I named ours "Mary" after a favorite aunt. It is amazing how much we came to love this random bird that fell into our lives. If I ever end up with another one I will certainly try your "puppet" game to bring some enjoyment to their life. (mine too). 🙂

[@novaconetta1577]

Beautiful! The parents actually push the birds out of the nest to the ground where they "fledge". The parents come back to feed the fledglings but lengthen the times between feedings while staying nearby so that the fledgling starts to learn to fly. If you know you have fledglings, try to keep cats out of your yard. At night the parents will tuck them into a safer space or a hole in the ground until they become more mobile. We watched a fledgling who was slow to learn to fly and the parent bird literally gave him lessons and wing stretches 🤣. It's really neat to watch.

[@BirdBath1]

Nova Conetta, look at bird bath

[@himhim3344]

Cats should never be outside anyways

[@cosmiccoyotedog-doreenb9605]

How interesting, didn't know that. Thanks

[@gardenofeels6872]

Not true. Birds do not push their babies from the nest. That's an old and persistent myth. The fledgling come out of the nest on their own when they are old enough. The timeframe varies with each species. The parents also do not "tuck" the youngsters anywhere, including a hole in the ground. They fledglings go where they want to after they leave the nest. But it is true that the parents continue to feed them until they can fend for themselves. I'm an ornithologist and an associate with the Cornell University of Dept. of Ornithology.

[@novaconetta1577]

@@gardenofeels6872 Hmm maybe our birds do it differently. Maryland must have some rogue mourning dove parenting skills.

[@paulatreat2496]

When I was young, we had a spruce tree in the yard. A pair of mourning doves built a nest on a branch just eye level with me. We watched several broods of dove fledglings grow up. Those birds were very tolerant of me poking my little head into the tree to watch them. One time, one of the parents actually stood up and let me see their eggs. It was a huge thing to me, and I am grateful to those friendly little birds

[@intallpines]

Doves mate for life. When there is only one, you'll know something has happened and there won't be a replacement.

[@jennifergreen3538]

Yes, when we put out bird feeders 8 yrs ago we soon had 2 pairs of mourning doves coming by daily. Then 3 yrs ago, one dove started coming by itself. We can only assume it's mate died, and it's been alone ever since. I never knew I could care about a wild bird's mental health but I do! I hope it's not too bored or lonely.

[@sixfeetundertheradar6080]

Pigeons do too!!

[@sixfeetundertheradar6080]

Oh and geese!

[@Nee96Nee]

Doves and pigeons are different names of the same species.

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🌴👍

[@tanya41277]

My little boy always does the "mourning dove call" when he goes outside he loves when they "answer" it's so cute.

[@ernestshackelton6278]

I’m from Canada. My childhood summer mornings are associated with cooing morning doves. I love that sound on early, dewy, cool summer mornings!

[@memeosophy]

Ssme here in Mexico!

[@johnransom1146]

Me too. Nova Scotia

[@lunathedruid1507]

not to be rude but make sure it's "mourning" not "morning" which have VERY different meanings

[@kevinireland8020]

Put a k in the middle of that cooing and I'm with ya.

[@Lisared023]

Me, too! Warms my heart when I hear it!

[@margotrosendorn6371]

The coo of a mourning dove is comforting and nostalgic to me. They're all over my hometown, it reminds me of childhood.

[@Parklarblick]

Birds can be an amazing source of entertainment and joy. I've got a family of crows that live out behind my home. They have been here for years and quite a few generations. We've even gotten friendly. Occasionally i leave them some scraps of meat or food, a can of cat food or some such when the weather is bad. And ever so often i find little shiny things wrapped in twigs or leaves on my doorstep or windshield of my car. Even see them dropping them off once or twice, always glance at my window before flying off. A really awesome feeling and a bit of extended family. :)

[@JediBunny]

That’s lovely

[@leonardking84]

Crows are awesome. They are so intelligent !!!

[@Unsensitive]

My wife wants an extended crow family. She always gets excited when she sees them near our house

[@TheGypsyVanners]

@@Unsensitive me too!

[@neosunrider]

"shiny things wrapped in twigs or leaves" ^_^' So adorable they would even wrap the gift for you

[@IDreamOfCrafting]

I've had a pair of Mourning Doves nesting at my house for over a decade. I absolutely adore seeing them every year! I even saved the female once years ago when she was hurt by some kind of creature (cat, raccoon, etc). She had a broken wing and leg, but healed up beautifully and was able to reunite with her mate a few months later.

[@stevehatcher7700]

Decade? It's very, very, likely not the same pair. Maybe the children, or by now, great-great-grandchildren of that pair. Average life span is 2 to 4 years.

[@desertdarlene]

The baby doves are likely in your yard. The parents usually feed them for two or three weeks after they start to fly. Keep the cat out of the yard and they should be fine. We had some in our apartment building that would roost on our balcony railings at night.

[@apointtomake1517]

those chicks were not capable of flying they still had down feathers... a hawk or gull got them.

[@namelesswolf2625]

@@apointtomake1517 fledglings do not always fly immediately. this is what makes them vulnerable to cat or dog attacks at this stage.

[@silas8772]

@@apointtomake1517 Definitely not; that ledge is too sheltered for a hawk to stoop into, the babies were old enough to fledge, and the parents probably wouldn't have returned if their nest had been raided by a predator.

[@alexmoore4423]

I never knew the name of any birds so I always referred to the mourning dove as “The bird with the deep voice” but the soft coo of the mourning dove being my natural alarm on weekends and over the summer is one of the most beautiful things I can think of

[@deloreswilson-ross7937]

We've had mourning doves in the same (silly) nesting spot for more than 60 years. I love them and it's always sad when after many years one shows up without the partner. Their second marriages seem quite successful though.

[@heatherkalman9668]

I felt this exact way watching nesting mockingbirds in the garden. And then the babies would use the patio furniture to practice flying. So freaking cute! 😍

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I’m trying to imagine what sort of complexes those baby birds will have, when one of their daily constants while growing up, was a Brit in a weird unicorn hat with long flaps…. But they were precious and I’m happy you were a baby bird uncle for a time.🐝🤗❤️

[@Platypi007]

I've had mourning doves nest on my balcony. One year they nested in a hanging planter, had three babies hatch out! Couple of years later, that planter was empty (had a coconut husk bottom, so empty it's just a few strips of metal) and on a table... They put like ten pieces of pine straw down and laid their eggs early one spring. One egg fell off the table, the other two I think died from lack of insulation on the bottom... They truly are terrible and lazy nest builders.

[@sxatcychan1988]

I once described the birds in my neighborhood this way, "Blue jays are crafty. Robins are resourceful. Cardinals are dumb, but feisty. Mourning doves are just dumb."

[@spazzyshortgirl23]

If you haven’t discovered the subreddit stupiddovenests…you need to

[@hannahpense9973]

I had a similar experience as a kid. When my family used to live in NY, we lived in an old Victorian house that had some broken windows or missing window panes. Because of this, a pair of mourning doves decided to nest in a window on the south side of our house. We never opened it anyway, so they were safe where they nested. The storm window and screen were missing, but the inside pane was still intact, so we could get a close view and distinctly hear their cooing. The same pair came back every year for a few years. It was quite the experience!

[@susanunger2278]

I had something similar when I was a kid in an old, Victorian house.

[@lorettaross5146]

About 20 years ago I was living in an old house that was in really bad repair and every now and again birds would get inside. Once my cat caught one and I wrestled it away from her and took it back outside to release it (she hadn't hurt it). When I came back in she very deliberately climbed up in my lap and smelled my breath. 🤣

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🍉😂

[@BirdBath1]

Hannah, look at bird bath

[@suzy1750]

thank you for sharing, just subscribed - I had a pair that laid their eggs in my hanging petunia basket. They are a delight to watch - they are such great parents. I knew the day was coming when the baby birds would leave the nest but was still so sad when I came home from work and everyone was gone...

[@mutanix]

This is the kind of story we need right now.

[@tangentartists6876]

Mourning dove calls are such a familiar sound to me. They're such a comfort. I don't have dove telly on my office window sill, but I get the Corvid Turf Wars on my lawn. It's been a decade-long saga between the Bluejays, crows, and the Mockingbirds with the Cardinals acting as a neutral party.

[@MrPenguinLife]

For the last 2 years there have been a pair of bald eagles nesting in a tree in our back yard in western Louisiana, each year they have raised a pair of chicks, then disappearing in June or July, and then returning to start the nesting process over again in the same location around October or November.

[@LindaC616]

At my last apartment, because it was in an old mansion, there was a roof over the side porch about 10" below 2 of my bedroom windows. We had a pair of chicken hawks (or red tailed hawks) in the neighborhood. 1 morning, the baby woke me up on the roof of the side porch, crying because it was big enough to fly around, but not big enough to hunt for itself, and it wanted mommy and daddy to feed it

[@dw3403]

@@LindaC616 LOL. Its so true. I was not able to see the nesting stage but I got to experience this. I heard the most heart rending cry of a bird. I looked towards the neighbors yard and saw a large bird sitting on top of the crooked top of a tree. It made the most pathetic cry. But then I heard another bird in the sky and when I looked up there was mom flying in circles hunting for food. The baby ( looked bigger than her because it still had the underfluff of feathers), would be quiet for a while. It was an eagle and I had to laugh because it is just like kids. Mom, I am starving, she would cry back. Mom where are you? Right here.

[@LindaC616]

@@dw3403 lol, I called mine "the millenial falcon"

[@dw3403]

@@LindaC616 So cute. lol

[@ephennell4ever]

Cool! Would love to have a nesting pair of Bald Eagles by me! But the area of the city I'm in ... some folks would probably be taking pot-shots at 'em with some .22s ...😠

[@shawnoleary6031]

I love your video's Lawrence. I've always loved British humor and now that you live in America discovering it's vast enchantments and pleasures, it makes the entertainment even better. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

[@Sirge57]

Laurence Brown's stunning Ornithological melodrama is a masterpiece.......5 stars!

[@BirdBath1]

Sirge, look at bird bath

[@elocinaqui24]

So happy this happened, living vicariously through you. I had a pair of mourning doves visit my balcony with increasing regularity since February, just enjoying the sun and pecking for seeds in an empty plant pot. I went away for vacation the first week of May and when I returned I found they had nested and were incubating two eggs. I work from home so for quite a while these birds were my companions during the day, and I could watch them switch shifts. Until about a week later, a large crow came by and scared the mother bird away. She returned to the nest after 30 minutes, but less than an hour later the crow returned and sacred her again. She abandoned her nest, and by the morning, the eggs had been eaten. It was heartbreaking as we were so excited to see them form a family, and I had gotten emotionally attached to these wild animals. Small tragedies like this happen quite often unfortunately, but I still see the doves around the neighborhood so I’m sure that by now they have found a new nesting location and hopefully have had a brood. I heard mourning doves can have multiple broods in a season.

[@inlandempress4587]

mine are working on brood 3 this year but I worry about the crows🙏🏽😪

[@1chicgeek368]

For the past five years a pair of mourning doves has nested in the tree outside my window. This year they didn't. Most days I still have two pairs that come by for breakfast from my bird feeder; I guess they moved on to a better neighborhood 😅 💙🌿

[@sandybarnes887]

Or one or both of then died

[@fridaylong2812]

@@sandybarnes887 How rude.

[@sandybarnes887]

@@fridaylong2812 how the heck can that possible be rude?

[@atomicnumber202]

​@@sandybarnes887 guess he didn't wanna hear your wisdom (not sarcasm)

[@mayagayam]

If you put black sunflower seeds or millet somewhere in your yard away from the nest, they love that. Doing this brought a flock of 15 doves to my backyard. Edit - or buckwheat grouts.

[@marybrewer2203]

All my life I have enjoyed those sweetly cooing doves. I found out recently that the squeaky chirp I heard when they take off into flight is not a vocalisation at all, but a sound their wings make. …something new every day…

[@cindyzins6628]

Great video!! Who said the Brits don't have a sense of humor... not me! Mourning doves are cool, Kafka is a perfect name for your cat, love the unicorn hat!! Thanks for taking me on this journey!

[@kasimirmaser99]

I'm so glad you got to witness the miracle of baby birds in the nest. I find it really life affirming, especially the first time you see it. My first time was a family of house finches that lived in a wreath on my front door when I was in my 20s (almost 20 years ago). From nest building, to egg laying, incubating, hatching, feeding, cleaning and fledging, I could watch the whole family drama unfold through the little windows in the door. It was truly amazing, and, like you and your doves, I'll never forget it. Cheers! Do be careful, from that moment on, my destiny was set and now it seems my whole life revolves around birds. I've counted 84 species on the farm over the years...

[@slc1161]

I was lucky enough to have a nest in my hanging planter. Mom let me gently water my plant around her nest. She even let me pet her. I did daily picture updates of the babies, who all grew and left the nest. I didn’t hang planters again until after they did their nests.

[@shaunvlog]

I laughed so much at this video. Your cat is a legend 😅

[@catsinhouse]

Is Kafka a Russian Blue?

[@_Jay_Maker_]

The Mourning Doves in my area make this hilarious grimy hooting sound whenever they come in for a landing, literally announcing their presence. Our cul-de-sac is very safe for them and we have a number of regulars show up at our feeders fairly often. There's always at least one male trying to get some, as he does his little display and mating calls to the local hens, but he's soundly rejected by them every time!

[@LisaKnobel]

Are they European Collared Doves? Those are invasive species. Not a fan myself. They are roosting above my house and making a huge mess.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Aww, this was so sweet. Thank you very much for sharing such a wholesome experience with us. I've taken to putting out seeds, nuts, and water every day for the resident birds and squirrels and some day my dog won't terrify them with her breed-specific desire to chomp them.

[@jessica_R_9167]

Pigeons make great pets, so similar to doves, very low maintenance, & the ‘fancy’ ones are so diverse & beautiful.

[@BarbBondVO]

For some strange reason I’ve always ended up with female doves, except for my one male pigeon. He was hilarious and a total mama’s boy. He loved hiding under furniture or sneaking up on me in the kitchen and biting toes. So silly. My current-and yes, female-dove is by far the most happy-go-lucky one. I swear she’s the Tigger of doves.

[@infallibleblue]

They poop a lot

[@tobascoheat6582]

Oh, Laurence, you're so adorable! I love your bird/cat/human drama video!! 😘🤩👍 🕊️🐈🏃

[@loveit7484]

Me too!

[@DoughBrain]

I’ve lived around mourning doves my whole life and can’t image a place without them. They’re so cute. 🥰

[@rashidclark]

Doves do make such a soothing sound. A drawback is that there is a chance your window sill will be infested by pigeon mites.

[@LindaC616]

😬

[@craffte]

Ooowey.

[@ephennell4ever]

Hmm, a good reason to leave the window tightly closed!

[@ebeb516]

@Karalevsky Borzoi diatomaceous earth is extremely dangerous if inhaled though.

[@gardenofeels6872]

@@ebeb516 The mites will die immediately if inhaled. They are external parasites and cannot live inside an animal's body.

[@joyofcookies]

There are a ton of mourning doves around my grandmother’s house in Texas, and I’ve always equated them to her and her place. I live in Oregon and haven’t really seen or heard them wherever I’ve lived. My grandmother passed away last June and I bought a house last August. There is at least one mourning dove couple in my neighborhood, and they frequently hang out on my porch. I love their sound and it reminds me of my grandmother. It makes me so happy to have them around I’m installing a dove friendly birdhouse!

[@alexamerling79]

What part in Oregon? I live in Oregon and I've seen them and those Eurasian doves

[@markholm7050]

If you enjoy having birds around, try putting up a wren house. Nice thing about wrens is you don’t have to put out any birdseed. They eat bugs and such. Wrens sing nicely and quite loudly for such tiny birds. A wren house will be fairly small, and have an entrance hole only 1 inch or maybe 1 1/8 inch in diameter, no bigger. You should easily be able to put one up on your balcony. The only maintenance is cleaning the house out each fall. A hummingbird feeder is another great way to enjoy birds with little or no mess. It’s more trouble, though because you need to wash it out and fill with fresh sugar water at least once a week. (Buy the cheapest granulated sugar at the cheapest grocery store. It will be fine. Way cheaper than any prepared hummingbird nectar.)

[@monkeytennis7477]

Wrens are feisty little things! I left my back door open one day to air out the house (Florida) and a wren flew right in the back door and landed in my front room! I had a hard time convincing it that it shouldn't be in my house, but it did eventually go out the front door when shooed gently away with a whisk broom. Silly bird.

[@ptrd4111]

Mourning doves are one of my favorite byerds. Their calls remind me of early summer mornings waking up in a tent to quite sunsets sitting on the porch. I able to mimic their call as well and can bring them over, but sadly not to the point where they will ride on my shoulder as if I'm the dove whisperer.

[@blackoceancreativeuniverse]

thank you for the heartwarming and relatable Mourning Dove story. when i was a kid, a pair of mourning doves nested every year on the exterior portion of my parent's air conditioner. I thought they were enjoyable to watch.

[@AlexaLake1]

Mourning Doves are such sweet and gentle birds and make a very soothing cooing sound.

[@kenlongfellow]

I put out raw sunflower seeds for the birds when I sit in my garden. Many kinds of birds come around with little fear. Apparently, the ravens are now my mates too!

[@tiffanyross9313]

Keep an eye out for raptors, I saw one attack my back yard & just stand there as a group of robins tried to scare him off... But he already had his meal. Sad, but truly epic to witness!

[@cherylbenton7107]

Wonderful video! A mourning dove named Queenie commandeered the bird feeder in my childhood back yard. She was clearly in charge and would chase away any other interested avian bathers. My mother adored her and would change the water every day so her royal highness wouldn't need to bathe in icky water.

[@SpringoStar]

They are one of my most favorite birds here in NY. I adore their call, as well as the whistling sound their wings make. The baby blue rings around their eyes are just stunning.

[@myrakeefer5977]

The morning my brother passed there was one outside his window. It was there for an hour singing and then left. It made me feel a sense of comfort.

[@elizabethpemberton8445]

I got squirrels nesting under my window air conditioner, which meant four or five baby squirrels rolling around adorably on the sill that ran under both the AC and the window right next to it for a week or two, and two cats just freaking out inside watching them. It was the best.

[@Galistarwater]

For years, a pair of these mourning doves would come and nest in my yard, especially in one of the hanging flower pots. My mom started calling them "Romeo and Juliet".

[@carolynhotchkiss4760]

About five years ago, we had a mourning dove couple build a nest in the overhead light of our back deck. Yes, inside the light fixture (which normally would have had glass in the gaps, making that impossible. But we have very strong winds and we removed the glass, lest the winds blow the fixture around and shatter said glass.) It was fun because we could sit and watch mama bird (who barely fit in the confines of this lamp) sitting on her nest. And then the babies arrived. SEVERE SPACE SHORTAGE. There literally weren't room for all three fledglings, and sure enough, one fell out shortly after birth (RIP bird #1). The second fell out about a week later (RIP bird #2). The remaning fledgling lasted and, we presume, flew away one day (we didn't find a body like we had the other two). Parents were, indeed, back the next year. But presumably Mama Bird had Words with Papa Bird about this eventually less-than-ideal nest locale, because they left before anything was laid in this next. We had the old material (yes, pigeons make crappy nests) removed and now we put up the glass every spring, just in case.

[@junipersbrew]

Absolutely adorable. I recently obsessed over a family of wrens that nested by my back door and can relate to that feeling of loss now that they've flown off.

[@Cent4man]

I have lived in middle Tennessee for 40 years and I have never seen the mourning dove in my yard and I have 3 1/2 acres for them to nest in. I do however have quite a few house wrens nest in my Althea bushes, along with quite a few hummingbirds who also love the Altheas as well as my peonies and my azaleas. And because I have quite a few trees I have an abundance of wood Peckers as well. This means I am frequently treated to answering a knock on the door and finding out that it was not in fact a knock at the door but a woodpecker I have a hole in it. There’s also a Chihuahua sized Moluccan cockatoo that resides in my bedroom. She much like your cat, rejoices in sunbeams, knocking things over and knocking things off of things, writing everything and everyone, chasing the neighbor boy, hanging upside down like a bat off the side of her cage while screaming at you shouting at an ear shattering decibel and flapping her wings like a 747 just about to take flight. The amount of win she can stir up with those wings it’s nothing short of amazing. If you enjoy the doves on the window I highly recommend you consider third of your own. Oh and just a heads up birds are extremely brutal animals. My cockatoo is named the outlaw Josey Belle can easily best cat in MMA fighting ring.

[@mercster]

I live in East Tennessee, not sure I've seen them either. Then again, I don't get out much.

[@Bargle5]

@@mercster I also live in East Tennessee and have doves round my house all year.

[@stgermain1074]

I live in Middle TN (outside of M'boro on a small farm) and see them all the time around my bird feeders. They don't perch at the feeders, they eat the seed thrown down by pickier birds.

[@ephennell4ever]

All the hook-bills can be dangerous, if they decide to be!

[@UmatsuObossa]

I'm in middle TN, I started to get mourning doves after I started feeding them. Pretty much any birdseed scattered on the ground they will eat. They prefer to nest on ledges rather than trees though, so mayve you just don't have any attractive ledges?

[@earth2becky]

The Mourning Dove is one of my favorite birds. I love its mournful coo coo coo.

[@williamroop451]

You, sir, have better a script than 90% of Hollywood's "blockbuster" movies... The way you pull the audience in with the dramatic flair and hit them with the dry humor punch is wonderful. I've often sat on my front deck listening (and calling back) to the doves that have the top branch apartment in the 2 trees that make up my TWEETER feed in the front yard. Hearing them call to the 5 distinct nests around the neighborhood as if they are on a party line while the other 27 variety of birds take turns tweeting, chirping, screeching, and clucking can often drive me to distraction while I eat my supper. They make a fantastic foil to the drone of the near-constant droning of the nightly news anchors who beg for my attention inside.

[@angieemm]

For years, I had a pair nest in a hanging basket on my porch. Their genetics were substandard; only 1 baby from each clutch would make it. I moved after a few years and I've often wondered if someone else put up a hanging basket or if they relocated.

[@nikkiboulter593]

I love these guys. They never bother any other birds and provide endless entertainment with their clumsiness.

[@Jeff-gi6dh]

The sound of their cooing in a summer evening is one of the great sounds I grew up with: a "mourning" melancholy-sounding song. Very nostalgic to me. Laurence, consider doing a bit on the American robin--utterly different from the European variety.

[@Miss.Elaineous]

I’ve had a pair nesting in a low branch of a pine tree in my back yard. I’ve had the joy of seeing two clutches raised this year! Mom and dad are not afraid of us at all, which has made seeing everything much easier. There is a belief that if you’re being visited by doves, a loved one who has passed has a message for you. I thought that was interesting because my best friend of over 20 years passed away just a few months before my doves started showing up.

[@windycityliz7711]

Oh, dear. I've had as many as two dozen in my back yard at feeders, especially when bad weather is coming. How many relatives are turning up to haunt me?!?

[@mbd501]

A few years back, I was working on the 8th floor of an office building in the city and a pair of pigeons (cousins to these doves) built a nest on the ledge of our window. We got to watch the whole process from nest and eggs, to the young growing up and flying off, too. It also took about a month total.

[@curiousone6435]

I've just made friends with some crows here in Washington DC in the apartment building I live in. I wonder if my neighbors want to clock me. I really enjoyed this video as a bird lover. I have browsed your videos for years, but I subscribed because I hope we get more updates on the situation!

[@faithcastillo9597]

What a brilliant piece! We have Mourning Doves that glean the seeds that fall in from our feeders. They're lovely, gentle, skittish creatures.

[@lisahumphries3898]

This whole time, I thought they were “morning doves”, as opposed to evening doves. LOL Then I thought, maybe Laurence is just putting his British spin on the spelling. Nope! They are actually mourning doves. Kind of sad… I preferred morning. Oh well, great video!

[@russb24]

I always assumed it's because of their sad-sounding call.

[@chrisk5651]

I thought that it was morning as well!

[@lijohnyoutube101]

Its due to their call. My grandma always called them by their quite old fashioned name turtle doves which is also an odd naming.

[@skidmark316]

@@lijohnyoutube101 I always wondered what a "turtle dove" was in the song 12 days of Christmas, now I know, thanks.

[@californiahiker9616]

They aren’t “mourning“, but to some people their call sounds like someone is mourning. I don’t like the name much, either. The doves are very cute and should have a nicer name. While turtle dove is a cuter name, I’m not sure that’s very accurate. Oh well.

[@iamauntmeem]

We had a pair nest on the wires of the telephone pole outside our bedroom window. I watched the two share nesting duties and then feeding duties until the eggs hatched. Now they come back to our backyard every year with new sets of chicks. They are very comfortable even with our dog!

[@sunflower7045]

I really like the haircut! 👍🏼 Looking great Laurence! ✨

[@Werewindle]

There is an old Art Deco masterpiece of a building downtown that I sometimes have the honor to guard at night. In the spring and summer, there are mourning doves that nest up in one of the vents under the front archway.

[@30quaker]

I really enjoyed your humorous and sweet coverage of these beautiful birds. I just feel the need to tell you that I am in America and I've never really heard people talk much about these doves. I have always loved them though. They're very peaceful and lovely

[@alfredhitchcockinafez687]

I had mourning doves build a nest on top of my window AC unit a long time ago. It was nice having a front row seat.

[@claudiah.2935]

I’m so jealous! Mourning doves are the best! We have a robin nesting above our back door and house finches nesting above our front door. The finches get defensive when they feel encroached upon so we pretty much just go inside through the back now lol

[@TheSuigin1]

I have Robin nest in my back yr is the 2 time the some Robin come back to is nest again

[@mrschurch1979]

Them calling social services might have something to do with you wearing a unicorn on your head whilst cackling manically.

[@tiffanyross9313]

I had a dove nest outside my window this spring and was so looking forward to watching the baby's grow & fledge... Unfortunately some crows got hungry... I don't think this will be a repeat nesting spot next year :(

[@maxasaurus3008]

Hilarious Lawrence, I’m an American about to hit 40 and I find my knowledge of the habits of my local birds taking over my brain!

[@hedonista7593]

They tend to return to the same nesting place every year. Mine always do.

[@leecarlson9713]

As a child visiting my grandparents in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I would wake up to the haunting sound of mourning doves. I am instantly transported back to my childhood whenever I hear the call of a mourning dove.

[@annehersey9895]

Laurence, you are so lucky! We have had a Dove couple nest in a hanging strawberry plant of ours for now the 3rd year in a row. They always return to the same nest so don't change anything and they will be back again next year. Also, Doves can nest twice a season so you may get another surprise in a couple of months! Enjoy them.

[@wallyman292]

Sounds like they've already returned to start brood #2, according to the vid.

[@mickaleneduczech8373]

I have to admit I was quite taken with wood pigeons on my visit to England. I still remember the one large pigeon happily splashing in my moms tiny bird bath.

[@GoADHDGo]

I have two of those friends that sit on our deck and peak through the window at me. Mister and Mrs. Peabody. And might I add that Sir Laurence is looking quite slim and svelte.

[@Beachy1955]

Loved your video. It was brilliant! Mourning doves are beautiful and we have many visit our yard daily but never once blessed with a nest. Thank you for sharing and keep us informed about any new bebbies.

[@berandomwithme.]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you, Lawrence. I hope someday you have the chance to visit Nashville. There is so much history here. Especially civil war stuff. Franklin TN holds a historic bloodiest battle loss to the north. And on a positive, there is a music and a beautiful drive along Natchez.

[@gstlb]

We watch them in our yard every day. They typically don’t bother the other birds and they have a quiet peace about them.

[@RoseNZieg]

technically, if they have their nest or have a personal favorite perch nearby, you will see them all the time. they used to drive my chicken crazy.

[@SpookyDollLady]

Mourning doves are my favorite birds! The ones in my yard are hilarious to watch every day. I've never seen any creature so completely unbothered by everything happening around it as those doves. I once watched one get blown halfway across the yard by a 50mph wind gust, rolling the whole way, and then just pop back up, shake its feathers out, and go right back to bopping around looking for food like nothing had just happened. They're out there every day, rain or shine, hail or blizzard. Just looking content as can be and cooing away. Love those birds. 😂

[@ladyshaylala3870]

When I lived at home we had a pair of mourning doves that would make their nest over our porch because part of the gutter was covered by a section of connecting roof. It was very interesting and rewarding watching them raise their young, and also terrifying but hilarious when they would dive bomb at us when we walked onto our porch. I think about them a lot now that I've moved and often see some in the trees out front of our current home.

[@SilverBolt1159]

We've got several generations of a mourning dove family that visits our feeders and nests nearby. Their favorite pastime is plonking down in the middle of the seed tray and casually snacking while throwing the bits they don't like to the squirrels

[@DefeatTheCabal]

You are becoming a master at KZbin content presentation. Very compelling stuff Lawrence! Love the fake phone calls!

[@syringaflower1498]

I am in Southern New Mexico. I have a birdie buffet on my patio. I have two Mourning Doves, six finches and six sparrows visit every day 🕊🕊 my kitty sits in the window all day. They aren't worried 😊

[@thedukeofweasels6870]

This was really interesting because I've heard their distinctive calls throughout my entire life but never really seen one up close

[@b43xoit]

Yes, it's a haunting call and it always reminds me of the bad times I experienced with someone.

[@hamsterama]

It's very easy to bring mourning doves to your yard, if you want to see them up close. Keep in mind that mourning doves feed on the ground, they can't use bird feeders. I bought a couple used large stainless steel pet bowls for cheap at a thrift store. I keep one filled with water, and I fill the other one daily with a nut and fruit bird seed mix. I put the bowls out every day in my backyard. Doing this is a great way to attract all sorts of cool birds. Just make sure to bring the food bowl inside after sundown, if there are any leftovers. Otherwise, you'll attract vermin, like mice or rats.

[@marthak1618]

They are amazingly well camouflaged. When on the ground, you can look right at them and not see them.

[@shethra77]

Throw some black oil sunflower seeds out your back door. You'll get all sorts of birds, including mourning doves.

[@mariatomko4278]

@@hamsterama I love them so I got hanging platform bird feeders just for them 🙂

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

There is nothing like waking up on a cool summer morning to the coo of morning doves. We had them in Michigan and now that we live in California we have them as well. I have been lucky enough to enjoy morning doves my entire life.

[@orangequant]

Beautiful story- thanks! Many years ago my dad told me that mourning doves mate for life (as someone below mentions too), and that the reason for their name is that their feathering resembles the "mourning coats" of funeral processions. That was in Michigan, btw, and I now see them in New Mexico.

[@peterahl6807]

I had a pair of Stellar's jays bird friends build a nest in the eaves of a roofed deck outside my front door. Watching their progress on the nest every day, seeing them brooding their eggs, and then finally hearing their little baby birds cheap for food when they would fly up to the nest... 10/10 experience, can not recommend enough

[@ronintennessee4013]

Thank you for the laughs, "Uncle Laurence." This was beautifully well done! Cheerio!

[@Mewted]

morning doves are so great. their call hits you right in the soul. hoooo... hoooo....

[@lisalamar9570]

Lawrence, you should go up north and listen to loons all day. I'm in Minn and it's our state bird. Very lovely and haunting at the same time.

[@tuckerkatze8309]

Dude - you are hilarious! LOVED this video + your dry wit! As a lifer of the USA, I have seen (& heard) my fair share of mourning doves, but have never seen their offspring. Thank you for that rare glimpse into the elusive world of these noisy, er, uh, charming birds!

[@danadurkee1776]

One of my very favorite of your videos! Although I should probably add that I am an avid birdwatcher, and enjoy feeding the birds in my backyard. And yes, I liked the beard, too

[@jwolfe1209]

They were always given my grandma fits because they were determined to nest in her hanging plant pots, keeping her from watering them. I've also seen a pair trying to nest literally on the side of the road