I'm wondering if anyone can explain a behavior we saw this morning or if 
perhaps it is a quirk of a singular bird with no known explanation.

There was a mourning dove on our platform feeder with a stick of at 
least 4-5 inches in length in it's mouth. The bird kept walking around 
and around, looking at times as if it was about to take off. At other 
times s/he looked as if s/he was pecking for food although with the 
stick still in the beak. Once or twice the stick was dropped only to be 
picked up again. This went on for close to ten minutes. Then the bird 
took off with the stick in tow. But it returned a few minutes later 
still carrying the stick! After going through the same motions as before 
for just a few minutes it again took off with the stick in tow. After 
walking around my cornfield with the stick it flew back and landed in a 
nearby tree still clutching the mysterious stick.

Nice to have some sun!

mary

1400' elevation in Bethel VT


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