# Unusual Dove Behavior? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 29, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593 "2014-05-29T21:32:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/1 "2014-05-29T21:32:40Z")
There’s been what I think is a [Dove](http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t143/TAC117/ADove.jpg) hanging around near our front door for a few days now. He(?) sits for a while, walks around a little for a while and disappears for a while. I thought if he can’t fly, he’s not going to be able to get to water, so we put out a pan for him. He did go to it when I went back in the house. My son suggested putting some seeds out, which we don’t have. Did put out four dried Blueberries but he didn’t touch them and has disappeared again. Plenty of nearby cover for him. As he looks a little small, I’m hoping he’s not injured and will soon be able to fly. Any insights and knowledge of what might be going on and how to help if he reappears, are appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/2 "2014-05-29T21:40:11Z")
It looks like a Mourning Dove to me. Are you sure it can’t fly? Doves spend a lot of time walking around on the ground. They eat mostly seeds, but according to some sources will take peanuts. Unsalted would probably be best, or else rinse the salt off. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/3 "2014-05-29T21:41:27Z")
Doves like to hang out on the ground. You usually have to startle them to make them fly. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/4 "2014-05-29T21:46:14Z")
Thanks to both of you, makes me feel better. Not sure he can’t fly. Mourning Dove is what I had thought. as I’ve heard that sound when there were a few hanging around in the past. I was a little worried because he’s by himself. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/5 "2014-05-30T03:39:19Z")
Doves will often nest on porch lights or hanging baskets on porches, they like the over head cover. Several varieties of doves, some prefer ground nests, while others nest only in dense hedges or dense trees. My guess she is building a nest on or near your porch. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/6 "2014-05-30T04:06:56Z")
Could it be a fledgling dove? He may not yet be able to fly, but his parents have forced him from the nest. He should be able to fly and take care of himself in a couple of days, but his parents will continue to bring him food until then. If he’s running away from you and won’t let you get close, he’ll be all right. ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/7 "2014-05-30T11:09:17Z")
Yeah, just a fledgling. Did not even exist until a few weeks ago, and trying to figure things out. Watch his back. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unusual-dove-behavior/689593/8 "2014-05-30T11:55:13Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > They eat mostly seeds, but according to some sources will take peanuts. Unsalted would probably be best, or else rinse the salt off. We buy raw peanuts for bird feeding (and chicken treats). Mourning doves **love** them. I put some on the ground around our feeder. When I return to fill the sunflower dispense, the doves don’t startle and fly if they’re eating peanuts.