Monday, June 9, 2008

The Mourning Doves have taken over!

Let me tell you a true story about two Mourning Doves that have taken over my yard. Their names are Bob and Mary - and they may seem like ordinary birds with ordinary names...but do not be deceived. They own my yard.



Here we have them sitting on the telephone wire waiting for me to fill my bird feeders. They will sit there all day cooing - waiting for me to come out. They know I'm in the house...










They keep having babies to help their army grow stronger. They have had two broods so far this year. And they invited some friends to nest nearby as well.










They hog the birdbath and make the Robin mad. They defiantly poop in it because it's "their" birdbath and I'm just the person who cleans it.











They own the bird feeder too. They have a hard time with the two of them sitting in it at the same time so one will watch from the roof to make sure no else has a shot at "their" seeds.








A warning to all...they look like sweet little birds especially with their soft cooing...but make no mistake - they will own your yard!

11 comments:

The Birdlady said...

That's a riot! Great post.

Jessica said...

Well at least it's the mourning doves that have taken over your yard. The starlings have taken over my yard!! You can have my starlings and I'll take your mourning doves.

Shelley said...

Birdlady - thanks - have to find humor in my "bully" mourning doves. :-)

Jessica - I counted 8 mourning doves this morning - I will send you over 4!

Birdgirl - those starlings can be bullies too - maybe I should appreciate the mourning doves more! :-)

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

LOL My backyard was like that last year. I had at least two dozen of them that took over. Now I'm down to a sensible five. Great pictures and story! I'm dealing with starlings now. Two families, each with a bunch of babies competing for the suet feeders, and boy, are they noisy! I haven't seen a chickadee, titmouse, or nuthatch in weeks because of them.

Shelley said...

Sandpiper - I guess the mourning doves aren't so bad compared to your starlings - but I swear thos doves are multiplying by the day! :-)

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Don't you just love watching the birds? It is one of my favorite things to do. Did you make your bird bath for the doves? I was just thinking today that I needed some water low for the doves.
Have a great day,
ginger

Shelley said...

Hi Ginger - I acutally purchased the birdbath at a small store local to Michigan - but I have seen them online. It's actually a heated birdbath (I unplug it of course in the summer.) The birds LOVE it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Great site with beautiful pictures! I'm honored that you visited me. Love that rose-breasted grosbeak photo at the top of your home page!

Our bluebird eggs have hatched now...come see!

blogs.wncn.info/dheiser/

sandy said...

Mine will sit and wait too, all day if necessary, they are very patient birds. Great photos!

sandy

Kathie Brown said...

This is hilarious! I, too, am a slave to my birds. Sometimes I won't go out in the backyard if they are there because I don't want to disturb them! Help! I need therapy!

Chris said...

OH I love Bob and Mary! That's too funny, the own the birdbath, birdhouse, and your yard! LOL