The Mourning Dove, a familiar sight across North America, is a species that has adapted remarkably well to human landscapes. Primarily inhabiting open country, scattered trees, and woodland edges, these doves are a common presence in backyards and agricultural fields. While they may seek refuge in woodlots during winter, their year-round activity is a testament to their adaptability. This guide delves into the essential aspects of the Mourning Dove’s life, from their preferred habitats and specialized diet to their intricate nesting behaviors, social interactions, and the conservation efforts surrounding them. Understanding these elements is key to appreciating this ubiquitous bird and ensuring its continued presence in our environment.
Habitat
Mourning Doves are most commonly found in open country, characterized by scattered trees and the edges of woodlands. Their adaptability, however, allows them to thrive in a variety of environments, including grasslands, agricultural fields, suburban backyards, and along roadsides. During the winter months, large numbers of these doves congregate in woodlots, seeking shelter and shared resources. Their presence is a clear indicator of a landscape that offers both open foraging grounds and areas of protective cover.
Diet
The diet of the Mourning Dove is remarkably specialized, with seeds constituting approximately 99 percent of their intake. This includes a wide array of cultivated grains, such as corn and peanuts, as well as seeds from wild grasses, weeds, and herbs. Occasionally, they have been known to consume berries and even snails. Mourning Doves are efficient foragers, consuming a significant portion of their body weight daily – an average of 71 calories, which can range from 12 to 20 percent of their body weight. This seed-heavy diet underscores their reliance on terrestrial food sources and their role as granivores within their ecosystems.
Nesting
Nest Placement
Mourning Doves exhibit flexibility in their nesting site selection. They typically choose locations with dense foliage, often on the branches of evergreen trees, orchard trees, mesquite, cottonwood, or within vines. In the western parts of their range, ground nesting is also common, particularly in areas with suitable cover. These doves are not deterred by human proximity and may even construct nests on man-made structures such as gutters, eaves, or abandoned equipment, demonstrating a high degree of adaptability to urban and suburban environments.
Nest Description
The nest of a Mourning Dove is a simple, rather flimsy structure. It is constructed primarily from pine needles, twigs, and grass stems, lacking a distinct lining and offering minimal insulation for the young. The construction process involves the male gathering twigs and passing them to the female, who then expertly weaves them into a nest typically measuring about 8 inches in diameter. It is not uncommon for Mourning Doves to reuse their own nests or those previously built by other bird species, showcasing an efficient use of resources.
Nesting Facts
| Clutch Size: | 2 eggs |
|---|---|
| Number of Broods: | 1-6 broods |
| Egg Length: | 1.0-1.2 inches (2.6-3 cm) |
| Egg Width: | 0.8-0.9 inches (2.1-2.3 cm) |
| Incubation Period: | 14 days |
| Nestling Period: | 12-15 days |
| Egg Description: | Unmarked, white. |
| Condition at Hatching: | Helpless, eyes closed, sparsely covered in cream-colored down, unable to hold up head, dependent on adults for warmth. |
Behavior
Mourning Doves are characteristically ground feeders, foraging in open areas where they can easily access seeds. They do not scratch the ground but rather peck at or push aside ground litter to uncover their food. Males often establish and defend “cooing perches,” spaces from which they call and are thought to attract mates or deter rivals. Within pairs, a gentle preening ritual around the neck, involving soft nibbles, serves as a pair-bonding behavior. This is often followed by a more pronounced display where the pair grasps beaks and bobs their heads in unison, reinforcing their connection.
Conservation
The Mourning Dove is a common species across the North American continent and has generally thrived alongside human development. However, population data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates a slight annual decline of approximately 0.4% between 1966 and 2019, resulting in a cumulative decrease of about 20%. Despite this trend, the global breeding population is estimated at 150 million, and the species is rated as having a low conservation concern. Mourning Doves are the most popular game bird in North America, with hunters taking more than 20 million annually. While they appear to tolerate hunting pressure, lead poisoning from ingesting fallen lead shot, particularly in heavily hunted areas, presents a less visible threat. Studies have shown that in fields specifically planted to attract doves, a significant number of these birds ingest lead pellets, with some found to have consumed up to 43 pellets.
Credits
Lutmerding, J. A. and A. S. Love. (2020). Longevity records of North American birds. Version 2020. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2020.
Otis, David L., John H. Schulz, David Miller, R. E. Mirarchi and T. S. Baskett. (2008). Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Partners in Flight. (2020). Avian Conservation Assessment Database, version 2020.
Raftovich, R. V., S. C. Chandler and K. A. Wilkins. (2015). Migratory bird hunting activity and harvest during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 hunting seasons. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD, USA.
Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski Jr., K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Link (2019). The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2019. Version 2.07.2019. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA.
Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, USA.
