Mourning doves are a common backyard bird found throughout much of North America. With their soft gray plumage and melancholy cooing calls, these petite doves can be a charming addition to any yard. However, attracting mourning doves requires offering the right foods that these birds like to eat. Here is a look at what you can feed mourning doves to successfully draw them into your outdoor space.
The Basics of Mourning Dove Diet
Mourning doves are fairly resilient birds that will eat a wide range of foods. However, the bulk of their diet consists of seeds. This includes a variety of seeds from herbs, grasses, flowers, agricultural crops, and trees. Common favorites include millet, safflower, sunflower, and nyjer. Mourning doves will also readily eat whole corn kernels, wheat, oats, and barley.
In addition to seeds, mourning doves will sometimes supplement their diet with other sources of nutrition. They may eat fruits and berries, including raisins, currants, strawberries, blackberries, and elderberries. Mourning doves will also occasionally snack on leafy greens, buds, and edible flowers from herbaceous plants. Protein sources such as insects and snails may sometimes be eaten as well.
Best Foods to Offer Mourning Doves
When deciding what to feed mourning doves in your yard, offering a variety of their preferred foods will help attract and sustain these gentle birds.
Seed Mixes
An easy option is to provide a pre-made wild bird seed mix formulated for doves. Many brands sell special “dove and pigeon” mixes that contain seeds like millet, safflower, cracked corn, wheat, and sunflower chips.
You can also make your own custom seed mix. Try combining some of the following:
- Millet – One of the top favorites of mourning doves. Attracts doves and keeps them coming back.
- Safflower – Another prime seed that doves relish. Goes well combined with millet.
- Cracked corn – Whole kernels are too large for tiny dove beaks. Cracked corn is easier for them to eat.
- Nyjer thistle – Small, oil-rich seeds that mourning doves love. Can be pricey so mix sparingly.
- Oats, wheat, barley – Nutritious grains that appeal to doves.
- Sunflower chips – Meaty pieces of sunflower seeds. Avoid whole sunflower seeds, which are too big.
Fruit
In addition to seeds, mourning doves enjoy fruit to supplement their diet. Good fruit options include:
- Raisins – Plump and rich in nutrients. Scatter on platform feeders or mixed with seeds.
- Currants – Dried zante currants are a tasty treat doves will gobble up.
- Chopped fruit – Apples, pears, strawberries, grapes. Chop finely so doves can swallow.
- Jelly – High energy raspberry or strawberry jelly. Can be smeared on platform feeders.
Greens and Buds
While mourning doves eat mainly seeds, they enjoy nibbling on leafy greens and flower buds as well. You can set these items out in mesh suet cages for the doves to peck at. Some greens to try include:
- Kale – Nutritious and high in vitamins. Chop finely.
- Spinach – Packed with nutrients. Great for doves.
- Chard – Offer fresh young Swiss chard leaves.
- Lettuce – Romaine or iceberg. Remove any wilted outer leaves.
- Buds – Unopened flower buds from roses, nasturtiums, squash.
Feeders for Mourning Doves
Offering bird feeders with the right setup for perching and eating will help attract mourning doves to your yard. Some good feeder options include:
Platform Feeders
An open platform tray or hopper style feeder is ideal for doves. They prefer wide, open spaces for landing and scratching at seeds. Platforms should be at least 1 foot square.
Ground Feeding
Mourning doves prefer to eat off the ground. Scatter seeds, grains, and fruits across open dirt or grassy areas. Or elevate feed on a platform 2-3 feet above ground.
Suet Feeders
Suet cages allow mourning doves to peck at bud, fruit, and insect offerings. Use mesh bags for greens rather than solid suet cakes.
Spreading Feeders
Tray feeders with grates that allow seeds to spread out. These give doves room to scratch and forage.
Dove Feeder Design Tips
- Wide, sturdy platforms for perching
- 1-2 inch gaps between perches or grids
- Enough space for several birds to feed at once
- Raised at least 5-6 feet off the ground
- No enclosed hoppers, tubes, or socks
When and Where to Feed Mourning Doves
Follow these tips to increase your chances of attracting hungry mourning doves:
Routine Schedule
Feed doves at the same times each day. Mourning doves will remember the schedule and return to dine. Aim for early morning and late afternoon.
Open Setting
Mourning doves favor open areas with good visibility and quick access to dense bushes or trees. Position feeders in open yards, fields, or forest clearings.
Ground Level
Feed on or near the ground, such as on flat roofs or platforms 1-3 feet high. Mourning doves prefer not to feed too high off the ground.
Shelter Nearby
Have brush piles, shrubs, or tree branches close to your feeder site. Doves use these for quick escape from predators.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Mourning Doves
While mourning doves will eat a wide variety of seeds and grains, some foods can be harmful for them. Avoid the following:
Moldy or Wet Foods
Discard any foods that are moldy, wet, or rotting. Consuming these items can make birds sick.
Unsalted Nuts
Whole nuts like peanuts, almonds, and walnuts are a choking hazard for mourning doves. Stick to smaller seeds and chopped nut pieces.
Dried Legumes
Hard, dried peas, beans, and lentils are also a potential choking risk. Soak and chop before feeding.
Bulk Seeds
Avoid letting seeds like sunflower and safflower get exposed to moisture. Stick to smaller amounts refilled more often.
Sweetened Foods
Sugary foods like jellies, honey, and syrups can be harmful.sparingly as an occasional treat.
Conclusion
Mourning doves are special birds that bring their gentle presence to backyards across the country. With their soft coos and dusty plumage, they are a favorite guest for many. Attracting these peacefulvisitors is easy with the right foods and feeders to entice them. Offer a smorgasbord of nourishing seeds, grains, greens, buds, and fruits. Platform tray feeders or ground feeding provide ideal dining spaces. Feed routinely in open spaces near trees and shrubs for shelter. Avoid spoiled foods and potential choking hazards. Follow these tips to enjoy the gift of mourning doves grazing in your yard.