Wild Bird Rescue knows the start of baby bird season has arrived when the first nestling dove arrives. Currently we have one nestling and three fledglings. Unlike most birds, which place food into the nestling’s mouth, doves feed their babies differently. The nestlings will reach down into the mother’s crop as she pumps out formula called crop milk. It’s not really milk at all but a mushy mixture created just for the nestlings high in protein. When we get a baby dove in, we can’t replicate that feeding method so our rehabbers must gavage feed the nestlings. A special formula is drawn up into a syringe and fed by placing a gavage feeding tube in the nestling’s crop. The formula is then pumped into the nestling slowly as the syringe is squeezed sending formula down the tube and into the crop. Isn’t this little one a real cutie? Phee Phew!
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