Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Mourning Dove

This adult Mourning dove came to us after being found in a garage after a suspected cat attack in Fairfax county, Virginia. He sustained several puncture and laceration-type injuries over the chest and shoulder, and a degloving injury resulting in a ‘toupee-like’ skin flap on the top of the head.

We say “suspected” because there was no one to witness what actually happened to the animal. Instead, we’re piecing together a story based on the injuries we see, the circumstances of where/how the animal was found, and what the finder reports (which can be incomplete or secondhand).

In this case, the wounds (punctures, lacerations, and that severe degloving injury) are highly consistent with a cat attack, but unless someone saw the cat grab the bird, we can’t say it with absolute certainty.

Our veterinary team started this patient on antibiotics and pain medications and surgically closed the wounds on the head and chest.

After five days, we were able to move this dove to an outdoor enclosure with other Mourning doves, and he was released about one week later.

We hope lady birds will still find him handsome with his surgically-repaired hairline!

Mourning doves are particularly susceptible to scalping injuries due to their explosive upward flight patterns when startled or attacked. Attacks from outdoor cats account for billions of songbird deaths each year in the United States alone.

In addition to the risk to birds, free-roaming cats are more likely to experience injury or death from fighting, predation, poisoning, or being hit by cars.

As a responsible pet owner, the best thing that you can do to protect your cat AND native wildlife is to keep your pet cat(s) indoors. For cats that enjoy outside time, options like an enclosed ‘catio’ or harness training for supervised adventures can be great options, just as they are for dogs.

We are so glad that this dove recovered fully and that we could get him back to a wild life!

SPONSOR A TREE FOR EARTH DAY!

Tomorrow is EARTH DAY! And this year, like last year, we’re planting 550 native trees at our Center to restore our forest and protect the future of local wildlife. Each sapling will be fitted with a tree guard to shield it from deer and ensure it can thrive for years to come.

Whether you sponsor one tree or several, your donation will help build a healthier ecosystem—for today and tomorrow.

Once the trees are planted and tagged, you’ll receive a photo (you may even get a selfie from our Executive Director!)

Because wildlife thrives where wild spaces grow. CLICK HERE to Sponsor a Tree.

Each tree you sponsor is $100. If you would like to sponsor more than one, simply donate more. If you don’t want to sponsor, but would still like to support, please enter your donation amount in the ‘other’ box. Thank you!

Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.