Mourning Dove – Wildlife Note 2024
In August, Eastern mourning doves are a common sight. These slender, gray-brown birds can be found on telephone wires, in backyards, fields, and along highways. By late September, they begin migrating in large flocks, flying southward.
As they take flight, their underbelly catches the golden light of late summer, signaling that autumn is near.
Overview of the Mourning Dove
The mourning dove, scientifically known as Zenaida maculura, is part of the Columbidae family. This bird plays a prominent role in North America’s migratory patterns. doves breed across southern and western Canada, the lower 48 U.S. states, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In winter, they migrate to regions like southern California, Massachusetts, and Panama. Known by several names, including turtle dove, mountain dove, and rain dove, the dove is widely recognized for its presence.
Physical Characteristics
Adult mourning doves are relatively small, weighing between 100-140 grams and measuring 25-33 cm in length. They are streamlined with long, pointed tails and wings spanning 17-19 inches.
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Their necks are long, and they have small heads with black beaks. Their wings are gray, while their backs and central tail feathers are grayish-brown. The outer tail feathers are bluish-gray with black stripes and white tips that are visible when the bird flies.
Male doves are usually distinguished by their pinkish chests, slate-gray necks, and iridescent markings on their necks. The females are more olive-brown in color. Both sexes may have small black spots under their eyes.
Behavior and Communication
Mourning doves are known for their distinctive call, a hollow, plaintive “woo, coo, coo, coo,” which is often heard at a distance. The males use this call to attract mates, bond, and defend territory. Females might coo in response, but their call is usually softer and less audible. Additionally, doves produce a whistling sound as they fly.
Diet and Feeding Habits
The mourning dove primarily feeds on seeds, particularly weed seeds like croton, foxtail, and ragweed, which make up 98% of their diet. They also eat grains such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, and rye. Mourning are often seen at bird feeders or foraging on the ground. They ingest sand or small pebbles to help break down food in their digestive systems.
They need water daily and often visit streams, rivers, and ponds for hydration.
Migration Patterns
Mourning doves are migratory birds. Small flocks start returning to Pennsylvania around early March, with most arriving by mid-March to April. Some doves stay in Pennsylvania throughout the winter if the weather is not too severe.
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The migration typically occurs from mid-September to early October, with flocks of 20 or more birds flying in the morning, resting and feeding at midday, and continuing their journey in the afternoon before roosting at night.
Nesting and Reproduction
The nesting cycle of doves is quick, lasting just over a month. They may attempt to nest up to five times during the summer. Doves select nesting sites and defend them through flight displays.
Their nests are often constructed with sticks, sometimes using an old nest from a mockingbird or robin. Female doves lay one egg, followed by a second two days later.
Both parents share incubation duties, with the male incubating the eggs during the day and the female at night. The eggs hatch in 14-15 days, and the chicks are dependent on their parents for nourishment. The adults feed them a nutrient-rich liquid known as “pigeon milk”, which is produced in their digestive systems.
Survival and Mortality
Despite their wide distribution, mourning dove populations face significant challenges. Weather events like storms and heavy rainfall can destroy nests and eggs, and predators like blue jays, hawks, and cats often prey on both adults and chicks.
Also read: Survival and Mortality
Diseases and accidents further reduce their numbers. Around 70-80% of newly hatched doves do not survive their first year, but if they survive their initial year, their chances of survival improve. The typical mortality rate among adult doves is around 60%.
Human Impact and Legal Protections
Mourning doves, as migratory birds, are subject to federal regulations in the U.S. States set hunting seasons and quotas, and the Fish and Wildlife Service oversees these guidelines. Dove hunting has been practiced in Pennsylvania since 1945, and its regulations ensure that dove populations remain sustainable.
Conclusion
The mourning dove is a vital species in North America’s wildlife ecosystem, with unique migration patterns, breeding habits, and feeding behaviors. Despite the challenges they face in the wild, mourning doves continue to thrive due to their adaptability and the protection they receive under federal regulations.
FAQ’s:
1. What is the habitat of the mourning dove?
Answer: Mourning doves are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas, forests, fields, and grasslands. They often perch on telephone wires, in backyards, and along highways. They are also common in agricultural areas where seeds are abundant.
2. How do mourning doves communicate?
Answer: Mourning doves communicate using soft, distinctive calls that sound like “woo, coo, coo, coo.” Males use this call to attract mates and establish territory. They also make a whistling sound with their wings when flying. Females may respond with a quieter, less audible cooing sound.
3. What do mourning doves eat?
Answer: Mourning doves primarily eat seeds, including weed seeds like foxtail, croton, and ragweed. They also consume grains such as corn, wheat, and barley. They are ground feeders, pecking at seeds and grains, and also ingest small gravel or sand to help with digestion.
4. How do mourning doves build their nests?
Answer: Mourning doves construct their nests using twigs and sticks, often in trees, shrubs, or man-made structures like porches and decks. The nests are simple and typically lack a lining. The female lays two eggs, and both parents take turns incubating them for about 14-15 days.
5. What are the major threats to mourning dove populations?
Answer: Mourning doves face several threats, including predation by hawks, crows, squirrels, and cats. Additionally, severe weather such as storms and heavy rain can destroy nests and eggs. Diseases and accidents also contribute to mortality, particularly for newly hatched chicks.
6. How does the migration of mourning doves work?
Answer: Mourning doves are migratory and usually travel in flocks of 20 or more birds. Migration typically occurs from mid-September to early October, with doves flying in the morning, resting and feeding at midday, and continuing their journey in the afternoon. Some mourning doves stay in regions like Pennsylvania during milder winters.