Posted by Jen Richardson on April 19, 2008

Q: Hello. Today, two turtle doves made a nest in my garage. It is just outside the service door that we use continuously through the day. A few hours later, we walked outside into the garage and in the nest was one little egg. Now every time we go to leave or go outside the bird sitting on the nest totally freaks out! It made the nest on top of my husband's work boots too! So it will have to be moved. Is that possible without causing the doves to abandon the egg in the nest? We really don't want to harm the egg, but it's just not possible for it to stay in the location it's currently in.

Very anxiously awaiting an answer!

Thank you!!

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Indiana

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: I can't give you a definite answer on this one. I know some people who have moved nests and the birds accepted it just fine but there's no way to be sure. Mourning Doves make very loose, flimsy nests so moving it will not be easy. If you can move it with the boots and all, this will be easier, for sure. Guess if I were doing this, I'd move the nest in stages so the birds simply move a short distance from where the nest started to the "new" location. Granted, this will take several days, but is more likely to work. Keep in mind that birds do NOT smell human hands on a nest so this isn't an issue.

Don't feel bad if it doesn't work as the birds will most likely renest elsewhere. Good luck.

John Wiessinger ( April 21, 2008)