What Do You Feed Baby Turtle Doves?

Turtle doves are members of the pigeon family and are strict seed-eaters. Babies have different dietary needs from most passerines, or songbirds.

  1. Trained Professionals

    • Fledging birds are fed in place by their parents until they get better at flying.

      The most important thing you can do for a found baby bird is call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Most veterinarians can refer you to one. The rehabilitator will tell you if the bird needs your care or needs to be left alone, and can provide for orphans.

    Warmth First

    • Baby birds need warmth, hydration, and food.

      If a bird has a full set of feathers, it is fledging and needs to be left where you found it. If it does not, it is a baby and needs warmth first. Proper temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees F. A heat lamp can be used, or you can wrap a heating pad or hot water bottle in a towel. Never leave a baby bird unattended with a heat source.

    Hydration

    • You must hydrate the baby before feeding. The infant supplement Pedialyte is recommended by veterinarians. Use a needle-less syringe or spoon to offer liquid every five to 10 minutes. After it drinks enough, it will pass stool and be ready to eat.

    Feeder

    • Make a baby dove feeder by covering the end of a narrow plastic or cardboard tube. Vet wrap or an Ace bandage work best. Secure the cover in place, using a rubber band if you use the Ace bandage. Cut a quarter-inch slit in the cover.

    Baby Dove Food

    • Fill your feeder with parrot seed mix. Avoid loose hulls or pellets. Very young birds might need powdered baby parrot mix, which must be mixed with warm water and fed by syringe or spoon. Consult your veterinarian on the proper method.

    Method

    • Place the baby's beak in the feeder cover slit. Hold the back of its head in place very gently until it begins to feed. This might take multiple tries, so be gentle and patient.