“The neighbourhood had been having voltage fluctuations so the electrical board staff came to check it out. Unfortunately there was a dove nesting high in an open box on the electrical pole (above left). They were unaware of the dove. They flushed it accidentally and the single juvenile there also fell out and died (long way down) (above right; left-top). They did not tell us but tried to put the juvenile back in although dead (many people know about our love for birds). The ‘chief’ came soon after and was made aware and informed me, so we asked for them to remove the dead chick so that we could give it a meaningful burial in our garden.
“I think it is a Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis tigrina) but I could be mistaken and it could be a Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata). Appreciate any opinions.
“Not sure how it nested in such an open location, high up where predators could easily have spotted it. Perhaps hard for a large predator to have a perching site to get at young. Teaches me that birds will nest right under my nose and I can miss them.”
Note that in the images on the left-bottom, the wing feathers have yet to be totally emerged from their sheaths.
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Canning Garden Home, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
7th November 2010
3 Responses
I never knew Spotted Doves nested in man-made structures like the above. I have always found them making very flimsy nests on trees using twigs. Same with the Peacful Doves (who tend to prefer palm trees).
Dear Jeremy – I agree with you. Usually seen them nesting in trees. But there is no doubt as to this nest in the box. I have noticed that birds do change their behavior over time (been watching > 35 yrs). For example about 20% of urban WT Kingfishers will use man-made holes (drainage pipes) instead of digging a mud hole in road side bank.
Totally agreed, I do know urban kingfishers tends to do so, and just found one such manmade hole nest in my neighborhood today, quite amazed to their adaptation, less effort, and rather good protection as concrete is not easily damage, however it is still not water monitor proof yet…..