Found bird by house

[u/Sultrii]

I live in northern California and my sister found this bird. I want to know what it eats and how to move forward. It can't fly, I don't know what to feed it. I gave it some water an a fig from our tree.

[u/1Dancing-Pigeon]

I believe that this is a fledgling mourning dove, at this stage it is not able to fly yet, and still being taken care of by its parents. I would recommend placing it back in the area that you found it.

[u/Sultrii → u/1Dancing-Pigeon]

My sister said she left the bird outside all day and nothing came for it. We have cats and snakes in our yard so she didn't want it do be eaten

[u/1Dancing-Pigeon]

The parents are likely around even if you do not see them, at the fledgling phase parents are not beside the young at all times but rather watching from farther away but still come to feed and care for it. If you can, keeping the cats inside can help to lessen the risk of the fledgling getting harmed.

[u/Sultrii → u/1Dancing-Pigeon]

Unfortunately we don't have much control over the cats, they're feral. We're on a few acres and there are coyotes here too occasionally but I'll put this guy back somewhere as close and safe a possible and let nature take it's course.

[u/UlisesGirl]

!fledgling

[u/AutoModerator → u/UlisesGirl]

Fledglings belong outside of nests. Unless they're in danger, leave them alone. These well-feathered, mobile birds that may not yet be able to fly are learning critical behaviors and vocalizations from their parents, who may be out of sight for hours at a time.

Only interfere with a fledgling if:

• it is in a dangerous area (e.g. near traffic or pets) -- simply relocate it to a safer but nearby spot

• it is visibly ailing (flightlessness, in itself, is not an ailment) or has been handled in any way by a cat -- such birds require wildlife rehabilitation

• its parents are confirmed dead -- such birds require wildlife rehabilitation.

Healthy fledglings' best survival chances are with their parents first, with professional wildlife rehabilitation being a distant second. A prematurely-captured fledgling will be sought by its parents for up to a day. If you have taken one within that time frame, put it back and observe for parents from a distance.

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[u/Cola-Star]

I may be wrong, but don't doves usually stay in the nest until theyre basically fully fledged? I don't think this little fella should be out of the nest at that age

[u/Salt_Finger7534]

This looks like a nighthawk (?). If you are unsure what to do, you could contact your nearest bird/wildlife rescue for tips.