THE HOMELESS DOVES

3/03/22

Last fall I shared with you the smelly fire hazard mess a pair of doves had made in my patio ceiling fan. I had it removed and chose not to put up a new one. I didn’t like making the birds homeless but I didn’t want to risk a fire. And so, I thought that chapter of living closely with wildlife was over.

The Stare

It’s now March and in north Phoenix we’ve hit some 80-degree days.

And guess what? Mom and Pop doves are back. All winter I would see doves hanging out on the concrete block wall that separates this active adult community from the desert.

They would stare at me. As I walked the dog. As I rode my bike. When I trimmed the lantana and rosemary bushes. I kept wondering—are they MY doves?

Home Destroyer

I’d often hear their sad cry and wonder if they were commenting: “Home Destroyer, Coldhearted Human, Wildlife Hater!”

One recent day that felt like spring had fully arrived, the dove pair startled me when I walked out onto my patio. They flew off the edge of the roof with a great rush of wings. And so I knew—they were looking for their nest. I pictured them flying in and fluttering near the ceiling as they looked for fan blades to land on, but only a white cap in the ceiling was there.

New Home Construction

I’m sure this was catastrophic for them. They would only have had to freshen up with some new sticks and make it all comfy and cozy. Instead, they had to start new home construction. I did feel bad for them.

Now they were watching me from a low branch of the mesquite tree at the end of the yard.

“Build your nest there,” I said.

Every day when I’m outside they are on the wall or in a tree or on a roof. I can hear them muttering their dove swear: “Home Destroyer. Coldhearted Human. Wildlife Hater.” If they’re building a new nest yet I haven’t located it.  

The Plan

My plan is to install a new ceiling fan in late spring after they have built a new nest somewhere else. A different design won’t let them get a foothold. That doesn’t mean they won’t try to pile twigs and sticks, creating litter on the patio table and chairs below. I may avoid that mess by copying neighbors and leave the fan on low speed round the clock.

I’ll let you know how it goes.