These birds also often choose protected spots on the ledges of houses for their twiggy nests. Mourning doves do not use nest boxes. Find out if mourning dove sightings have meaning.

By building their nest so close to you, they might be relying on you to help protect them. To encourage the birds to nest in a safer place in the future, try putting up a nesting box for them.

Wait until the nest falls apart and they’ve flown away before trying to help. You also can put up nesting boxes. You’ll need a 12-inch square of hardware cloth. Cut it into a circle.

Or two cups of water and a half-cup of sugar … or one cup water and a quarter-cup of sugar. Contact Gary Bogue at [email protected]; or write Gary, P.O. Box 5088, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.