ramseyringnecks:

Not a columbid, but one of this year’s mocking squeaks paid my porch a visit.

Fussy (it’s mother) and I have an understanding.

I am allowed approach and check on her little squeaks without being swooped or screamed at, but if I touch them or make them cry, all bets are off!

Several summers ago, it was about 120f, and I noticed a nest of dehydrated mocking squeaks at about the hottest part of the day, necks flopped over the nest rim like wilted plants.
I brought a bottle of water and gave it to them by eyedropper until they perked back up and started squalling to be fed.

Fussy was watching.

After that, she’d scold her mate if he dove on me while I checked on the babies.

They’ve nested in my holly every year since, and checking on their peeps unmolested has been my exclusive privlage.

The squeak let me take a picture, and I went in to finish feeding my flock.

I figured that if something was wrong, it would still be there when I got back.

It was gone by the time I went back to check on it again.

A cute visitor, in no need of emergency care. ^v^