How would you like to have a couple of these youngsters cramming their beak down your throat? After all, it is feeding time.
Mourning doves feed their young with "crop milk" from a sac in their esophagus -- they regurgitate it into the chicks mouth. It isan energy full mixture produced in the crops of both male and female parents. After a few days, mom and dad begin mix in more seeds to the regurgitated food. Soon the young'uns are fed only regurgitated seeds. The squabs start the feeding process by getting up under the mom or dad's neck and pushing their beak to try to get the mom/dad to open theirs. It seems that each gets at least a couple feedings for a meal.
Sorry about all the bird photos, but it is so exciting to have a new family in the neighborhoodl
--steve buser
14 comments:
Two years ago I had a nest of doves in one of the mango trees. Lucky for the dove the mango crop was finished. I could get very close to the nest, almost like we were friends. When the chicks came, the adult didn't want me getting near. One day I got too close and the adult flew to the ground and pretended to be hurt. If it had been a Blue Jay or a Mockingbird the adult would have attacked me.
You are becoming a regular Old Man Lincoln. These are fantastic photos!
Great photo...lots of detail...and I had no idea. Crop Milk...that is a new one for me.
How sweet but of sooo demanding.
You wouldn't want an over-sensitive gag reflex.
There's nothing to be sorry about! I find it fascinating. Feel free to share more.
Don't be sorry Steve. I like this peek into Dove life. Great closeup and action shot. New company in the neighborhood is always interesting.
Good wildlife shot. Sydney Daily Photo Turns 2 today!
Please don't be sorry for these photos, Steve. They're wonderful!
This is like not seeing your grandchildren for a month at a time. They seem to have grown and this photo shows a big difference in the youngsters. It looks like they are going to make it, Steve. Nice photo.
No complaints about bird photos from me. Just a lovely sight.
i can understand your excitement....these are some of the cutest bird pics i have seen ..:)
Beautiful shots Steve and great going on your scary squirrel act! I hope the mama and baby make it.
Don't apologize for the bird photos...they're wonderful.
Came to congratulate you on your first year of posting but then scrolled down through the week to here - great shots and so sad that it has ended the way it has. Squirrels rightly get a bad press. Your photos document this wonderfully. Well done.
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