Did the adult doves abandon the nestlings?

[nodeal]

I am lucky enough to have two doves who have built a nest right outside my side door in the corner under my awning. I thought they would eventually leave, being as though there is a lot of human activity going on as people are coming in and out of my house through the side door during the day. However, the birds have remained there for a few weeks, and just 4 days ago I caught my first glimpse of two baby doves. They are adorable and I'm psyched to have the opportunity to see this.

Anyway, the past two days it seems as though the parents are gone from the nest most of the time. I did see them there once today and once yesterday, but more often than not they are nowhere to be seen.

Is this normal after the eggs have hatched? I don't want to have abandoned nestlings outside my house. If this is the case what should I do to ensure their survival?

[usamma]

How old are the chicks? It's very common for the doves to not attend to chicks often once they have grown all their feathers. The mourning doves around here fledge very quickly, the parents can have like four clutches a year! Once they fledge they will follow mom and dad around for awhile and get fed, but they also learn to sit quietly and wait in case mom and dad have to go and get food. I have seen a few of what I thought were abandoned babies (out of the nest, hiding under a bush or just on the ground) and was tempted to rescue them and send them to a center. But then mom or dad would eventually come back. The chicks that fledge are much smaller than adults but they can fly.

I found this info:
Nest abandonment is very common with these birds. If they feel any threat from predators whether human or animal, they may go elsewhere to nest abandoning both eggs and nestlings. Bird watchers need to exercise caution.

The nest can be found 5-25 feet above the ground, often in the crotch of a shrub or tree. Laying 2 white eggs that are incubated for 14-15 days. The young will leave the nest in 12-14 days.

Mom and baby

[chapala]

I would be very careful to keep your distance from the nest so you don't alarm the parent birds. Hopefully the chicks are just about ready to leave the nest.

[nodeal]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Luckily I have seen either the mother or father with the young after making this post. They seem to be doing well and don't seem to be too bothered by the human activity although I will keep exercising caution when walking in and out of my house.