Quick Introduction
Mourning doves are medium-sized birds that are common across North America. They typically build nests in trees, shrubs, or on man-made structures like ledges and eaves. Mourning doves do not excavate their own nest cavities like woodpeckers, so they rely on natural cavities or human-provided nest boxes for breeding sites. While mourning doves are adaptable when it comes to nesting, attracting them to nest boxes takes some special considerations.
What are mourning doves?
The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is a member of the dove family Columbidae. It is also sometimes called the American mourning dove or the rain dove. Here are some key facts about mourning doves:
– Size and Appearance: Mourning doves are slender, medium-sized doves reaching lengths of 9-13 inches. Their overall coloring is light grayish-brown with black spots on the wings. The breast is a pale brownish-pink. The head is rounded with large black eyes.
– Geographic Range: Mourning doves are widespread and common across most of North America. Their range stretches from Central America up through the lower 48 United States and into southern Canada.
– Habitat: Mourning doves occupy a wide variety of open and semi-open habitats. They are found in grasslands, agricultural areas, open woodlands, deserts, and both rural and suburban neighborhoods. They avoid dense forests.
– Diet: These birds are primarily seedeaters, consuming a diet heavy on small seeds from grasses, crops, weeds, and trees. They also occasionally eat fruits, berries, and insects.
– Nesting: Mourning doves build flimsy platform nests of twigs, stems, and grasses. Nests are usually placed in trees, shrubs, or along building ledges and eaves.
– Unique Traits: Mourning doves are among the most common and abundant bird species found across much of North America. Their soft, mournful cooing calls are a familiar background sound in many areas. Unlike many other birds, mourning doves can and do drink water by sucking it up without lifting or tilting the head.
So in summary, mourning doves are medium-sized, seed-eating doves with a very widespread distribution through most of North America. Their slim profile, long tail, pointed wings in flight, and mournful cooing calls make them easy to identify.
Do mourning doves nest in bird houses?
Mourning doves do not typically use enclosed bird houses like those used by chickadees, titmice, or bluebirds. However, they will readily use open platform-style nesting shelves or boxes. Here are some reasons why mourning doves have specific nesting needs:
– They do not excavate cavities or use existing woodpecker holes like some birds do.
– Their nests are flimsy platforms of sticks and stems, so they need an open, flat space to build them on.
– The entrance hole on most enclosed bird houses is too small for the dove’s body size.
– Mourning doves prefer more open, less confining spaces for nesting rather than an enclosed box or cavity.
So mourning doves will use nest platforms or open-top boxes that provide suitable stable, flat surfaces for building their nests. But they generally shun completely enclosed bird house designs. The exception would be larger dove houses or structures specifically designed to their needs.
Nesting Preferences
When looking for nesting sites, mourning doves favor certain locations and features:
– Sheltered spots protected from rain and wind, such as eaves or a tree canopy.
– Sturdy branches, ledges, or platforms 10-30 feet above ground. They avoid nesting right at ground level.
– Areas close to plentiful food and water sources.
– Semi-open landscapes with a mix of trees, fields, and edges.
– Human structures in rural or suburban settings. They tend to avoid dense, deep woods as well as urban city centers.
Providing elevated, weather-protected nesting shelves or platforms that mimic their natural preferences is key to attracting mourning doves.
Best practices for dove nesting boxes
Here are some tips on designing and placing nesting boxes specifically to attract mourning doves:
– Use an open platform or shallow open-top box design so the doves can construct their nests.
– The nest foundation should be about 8-12 inches across – larger enough for the dove’s nest.
– Elevate the nesting box 10-30 feet high on a tree, pole, building, or other structure.
– Add a roof overhang or canopy to provide shelter from rain, sun, and wind.
– Position nesting sites in semi-open areas with a mix of trees and open space and not too close to human activity.
– Face the entrance toward an open area with a clear approach and landing path.
– Provide a drainage outlet so rain does not puddle in the nest.
– Use weather-resistant materials like exterior plywood, cedar, or plastic. Avoid treated lumber which may contain harmful chemicals.
– Apply rough texture or shallow grooves to the platform surface to help the nest adhere.
– Add drainage holes along the bottom edges to allow rain runoff.
– Monitor and clean out old nests after the breeding season to make ready for next year.
Following these guidelines can create nesting sites that mourning doves find attractive and will use for breeding. Proper placement is also key – be sure to situate the nesting platforms in suitable habitat.
When to provide dove nesting boxes
The best time to install mourning dove nesting platforms or shelters is late winter just before the breeding season gets underway. Here is an overview of the yearly cycle:
– Fall & Winter: Mourning doves vacate their breeding territories and may migrate south. Nesting sites can be prepared and installed during this time.
– January – February: Birds remain in winter flocks. As spring approaches, they return to potential nesting areas. Having sites ready lets them scout options.
– March – April: Breeding activities accelerate. Males establish territories and attract mates. Nest building begins. Ideal time to install nesting platforms.
– May – August: Active nesting and raising young occurs. Ensuring sites are ready by early spring maximizes chances for use.
– September – October: Doves finish nesting and congregate in large migratory flocks before moving south. Used nests should be cleaned out after the season ends.
The takeaway is that having suitable nesting structures up by very early spring before breeding starts allows the birds time to find and choose sites. Don’t wait until after nesting is already underway. Installing nesting platforms for mourning doves is best done in late winter through very early spring.
Tips for attracting mourning doves
Here are some additional tips to make your yard attractive for nesting mourning doves:
– Provide food they like such as black oil sunflower seeds, millet, safflower, cracked corn, and nyjer in platform feeders.
– Ensure fresh water sources with a birdbath, fountain, or other shallow water.
– Allow dead snags and treetops to remain for potential nest sites.
– Plant shrubs and small trees like willow, dogwood, and maple to create nesting structure.
– Use landscaping with a mix of trees, shrubs, and open grassy areas.
– Limit or eliminate pesticide use which reduces food sources.
– Set up nesting platforms 10-30 high on buildings, poles, or trees.
– Place nesting sites close to tree cover for protection but with open landing access.
– Reduce noise and disturbance levels in nesting areas.
Providing good habitat with food, water, cover, and nesting sites is the key to increased dove visitation. Be sure to follow the earlier nest box design tips to increase the chances of them using your nest platforms.
Conclusion
Mourning doves are adaptable birds that will readily nest on human-provided platforms under suitable conditions. By following the nest box design guidelines covered here, you can increase the likelihood of attracting mourning doves to utilize nesting boxes on your property. Just remember that mourning doves have specific needs when it comes to nesting sites – namely open platforms rather than enclosed cavities. Place the nesting structures properly within their preferred habitat and food source areas. Time installation for late winter before the spring breeding season gets underway. With the right technique, you’ll stand an excellent chance of having mourning doves raise their young in the nesting sites you set out for them.