The gentle presence of mourning doves gracing American backyards is a familiar and cherished sight. These delightful birds hold captivating secrets waiting to be discovered. Prepare to be amazed as we delve into the enchanting world of mourning doves, uncovering a collection of fascinating facts that will deepen your appreciation for these beloved avian residents.
Teresa Taylor kindly provides us with information about the widespread occurrence of mourning doves in the United States. Though the geographical range of mourning doves spans much of North America, there is much more to these elegant birds than meets the eye. Get ready to learn a few peculiar facts about mourning doves that will surely make you admire them even more! One pressing question often asked about mourning doves is what they consume.
Jenni Daigle shared that mourning doves are seed-eaters and not insect-eaters. They can consume weed seeds, which is beneficial for gardeners, farmers, and those living near overgrown vacant lands. These birds evolved for ground foraging and can eat up to 20% of their body weight in seeds daily. To attract them, you can set up an open platform feeder, ground feeder, or scatter seeds on the ground.
Some of their preferred food sources include wild grasses, grains, and ragweed. If necessary, they will also eat bigger seeds such as sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and shelled peanuts. Additionally, these doves have a habit of stockpiling food.
Have you ever seen a mourning dove? These birds have a unique way of storing seeds for later consumption. Instead of immediately eating the seeds they find on the ground, mourning doves stash them in their enlarged esophagus, also known as the “crop.” This results in a noticeably round breast, especially after feeding.
These birds then fly off to a secluded spot to digest their stored seeds. In fact, one record-holding mourning dove was found with an impressive 17,200 bluegrass seeds in its crop! So if you see a mourning dove with a round chest, now you know why.
The Maslowski brothers, Steve and Dave, share a fascinating fact about mourning doves: it’s hard to tell the difference between males and females. These doves are known for their muted brown and gray coloring, as well as black spots, small heads, and slender tails. According to John Rowden, an expert at the National Audubon Society, their wings also have a beautiful iridescence. Mourning doves are 12 inches in length and have an 18 inch wingspan. It’s important to note that they can be easily confused with Eurasian collared doves.
Lisa Mason kindly shares that mourning doves have a distinct feature in their appearance – they lack a black band on their necks. It’s possible to mistake them for Eurasian collared doves or white-winged doves, but these species have unique markings to distinguish them. Collared doves have a black band on their collars, while white-winged doves have a white stripe on their wings. Additionally, mourning doves have a peaceful and calming call.
According to Birds & Blooms readers, the mourning dove’s gentle cooing sound has a relaxing effect on bird enthusiasts. Patricia Welch from Salem, Connecticut describes these birds as beautiful and serene creatures. Additionally, mourning doves are known for their unusual sleeping position.
David Judy Pinner kindly shared a photo of a Dove taking a peaceful nap during a winter snowfall. Interestingly, when Doves sleep, they position their head between their shoulders and close to the body instead of tucking it under their feathers like other birds. Now, if you’re wondering how fast Mourning Doves can fly, let’s find out!
When it comes to flying, mourning doves are no slouches. With their falcon-like wings and long tails, they can zip through the air at speeds up to 55 mph. It’s no wonder they rank as some of the fastest birds in North America. But these doves aren’t just impressive fliers – they’re also loyal partners. Mourning doves mate for life, making them one of the few species that practice monogamy.
Francis and Janice Bergquist, a couple of grown-up birds, are currently in the dating phase. It’s quite typical to witness these two mourning doves snuggling together as they are monogamous and tend to stay together for their whole lives. Some people refer to them as “turtle doves.” Additionally, it’s worth noting that their nests usually contain two eggs.
Claudette Moore kindly shares a photo of a nest with two eggs, which is a common occurrence when mourning dove females lay eggs. It’s not often that they lay just one egg or more than two. Incubation time for these eggs is relatively short, lasting only two weeks. Additionally, mourning doves are known for their excellent co-parenting abilities. To discover further information about mourning dove eggs and newborn chicks, continue reading.
EILEEN COLE’s COURTESY
When it comes to feeding their offspring, both male and female mourning doves take equal responsibility. They provide their newborns with “crop milk,” also known as “pigeon milk,” which is a protein and fat-rich substance resembling cottage cheese. The adults secrete this milk from their crop lining, and regurgitate it to their young ones. However, weaning happens quickly, and by the fourth day of life, the diet shifts to seeds. Within two weeks, the fledglings are almost fully grown. Interestingly, the Mourning Doves can trace their lineage back to a famous ancestor.
According to Martin Torres, doves and pigeons share a close family relationship. Surprisingly, mourning doves are classified within the pigeon family, and they are closely connected to the now extinct passenger pigeons. Unfortunately, despite their endearing nature, mourning doves are still hunted.
Jeffrey Carter suggests that keeping cats indoors can help protect doves from being hunted. While mourning doves are still hunted in some areas, their population has not shown signs of decline. With an estimated 100 million mourning doves, they have a wide range of habitats.
Mourning doves are a common sight in many different locations, including cities, backyards, and even the Mojave Desert. These birds can be found throughout southern Canada, the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. They tend to prefer open spaces and will avoid areas with dense forests. According to John Rowden, it’s likely that you’ll find mourning doves in your local area as they are one of the few species that are common both geographically and seasonally.
Kaufman Field Guides are the go-to source for range maps, as they are the official field guide for Birds & Blooms.
