You never know what surprises your garden might bring. Recently, our little slice of green paradise introduced us to an unexpected feathered guest, a young Collared Dove. Its soft grey and pink hued plumage stood out against our garden’s green backdrop, but the stillness of the little creature was rather unsettling. Usually, these birds are rather skittish, fluttering off with a rustle of wings at the slightest disturbance. This one, however, stayed put. It looked like it was frozen in place, eyes wide and alert, but unwilling or unable to take flight.
With a bit of hesitation, we approached the scared bird, concerned for its well-being. It was clear that the dove was not in its best state, possibly dazed or injured. We quickly made the decision to step in and help, hoping that our intervention might give the little one a fighting chance.
We gently scooped it up, cradling the soft, warm bundle of feathers with utmost care. We prepared a makeshift sanctuary inside a sturdy box, equipped with food and water, and placed our new garden guest inside. Doves are known to eat a variety of seeds, so we made sure to provide it with an assortment, hoping it would find something appealing amidst the mix.
The next day brought promising signs. Peeking into the box, we were greeted by a flurry of dove dander – a clear indication that our little guest had been preening itself. This was a good sign as birds preen to keep their feathers in top condition, an essential task if they are to fly properly. Plus, our offering of seeds seemed to have been accepted, with a noticeable dent in the pile we’d provided.
Buoyed by these positive signs, we decided to give the Collared Dove another shot at freedom. The garden was quiet, the cats that usually prowl around were nowhere in sight. It was the perfect time for release. As we opened the box, the dove took off, choosing a comfortable perch on our garden fence. However, after a few uncertain moments, it fluttered back down to the ground, still reluctant or unable to fully embrace the freedom of the skies.
Seeing the dove grounded again brought on a fresh wave of concern. With the neighborhood cats always on the prowl, leaving the dove unprotected was out of the question. So once again, we collected our feathered friend and brought it back to the safety of the box.
As of today, our unexpected garden guest remains with us. We’re doing our best to provide a safe and comforting space for it to heal, whatever its ailment might be. We’re cheering for our little guest, eagerly awaiting the day when it finally takes flight and returns to the wild. Until then, we’ll continue to play the roles of caretaker and protector, learning more about these magnificent creatures every day.
Every life is precious, every creature matters, and sometimes, all it takes to remember that is a small, scared Collared Dove in your garden. Stay tuned for more updates on our feathered friend’s journey back to the wild.
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