A question for the bird experts

[dkord]

Is this bird pregnant?

We've been trying to keep them from nesting in our doorwell. If she's pregnant will that physically hurt her if there's no nest? My friend thinks that they won't mate until there's a nest up. But I think they might of finished a nest before anyone knocked it down.

btw, I know this is a bad pic.

http://www.sparksonline.org/asm/dkord/pregnantbird.jpg

[rubberchickenguy]

birds don't really get pregnant. they ovulate and the egg is either fertilized or it is not, but the incubation occurs in the egg, not in the womb like a mammal. so, in short, from what I recall of my biology days and breeding doves for a couple years, then answer is, uh, no.

[dkord]

hehe ok, I should of known that.

So if there's no nest to lay her unfertilized eggs will that hurt her?

I wish I could let them nest where they want, but it freaks me out having them a couple feet above my head.

[einsteinsauntie]

I like your image of the "pregnant bird", she looks about 9 months! Can you put a ledge or a box somewhere near the place they're trying to nest? A compromise condiminium!

[tckadventures]

I dont know about all types of birds but some do get egg bound. Which is in short where an egg is formed but fails to come out and is stuck inside. Does she look unwell, cant tell in the pic? that is also a sign as you would imagine.

[montreal]

Pregnant bird eh?

Let us know if you find mouse eggs ;)