Building a Dovecot in the Desert

Hi Folks, I'm interested in building some dovecots on my land in Joshua Tree, CA (mojave desert). I have ready access to clay, sand and straw for cob building but can't find any instructions on the web for the specifics of building such a structure. I see plenty of pictures but no details on construction. Anybody have any info?

Plenty of plans for wooden dovecots. Looks like you may have to do the best you can based on the few photos and descriptions of traditional mud/masonry dovecots in the Middle East. Some of the descriptions are fairly detailed, so I think you will do ok. If it doesn't work out, just "melt" it down and start over.

Keep in mind that you are creating a safe space, protected from predators and the elements, while also allowing ease of maintenance, good hygiene, harvesting of birds and manure, and providing supplemental water and food when needed.

Masonry and adobe dovecots lay the brick in such a way as to provide a nesting/roosting space in a sort of checkerboard pattern. Mud structures seem to have either carved out or formed the nesting/roosting spaces into the wall.

I downloaded this document, "Ancient Pigeon Houses: Remarkable Example of the Asian Culture Crystallized in the Architecture of Iran and Central Anatolia", while doing a quick search.

Hi Jill,  Any luck with your dovecote?  Curious to see pics if you finished it!