Mourning doves are a common sight across much of North America and are known for their soft, plaintive cooing calls. But when are these birds most active during the day? Here is an overview of mourning dove behavior and activity patterns throughout the day.
Mourning Doves Are Most Active in The Early Morning and Late Afternoon
Mourning doves are most vocal and visible during the peak hours of dawn and dusk. This crepuscular pattern of activity allows them to take advantage of cooler temperatures and lower light levels that provide more cover from predators.
During the early morning hours just after sunrise, mourning doves will leave their roosts and feed on the ground. Their cooing is often heard during this time as they reestablish pair bonds after a night of separation and defend territories. The birds’ calls are thought to synchronize breeding cycles between males and females.
In the late afternoon before sunset, mourning doves again become more active and vocal. They forage on the ground, court partners, preen, and socialize in flocks. Their soft, mournful coos can be heard as they prepare to roost for the night.
Dawn Activity
In the hour just before sunrise, mourning doves will leave their nighttime communal roosts in trees or on wires and fly to feed. They prefer open habitats such as grasslands, agricultural fields, and backyards where they can find seeds and grains on the ground.
The birds are quite terrestrial, spending more than 90% of their time on the ground rather than in vegetation. In the early dawn light, mourning doves walk along the ground pecking and swallowing seeds. They may also gather grit like sand or fine gravel to help grind up food in their crops.
Dusk Activity
Mourning doves exhibit another peak in activity in the late afternoon and early evening just before dusk. Their cooing calls begin increasing as the light starts to fade.
The birds use this time to forage, interacting more frequently with flock mates. Pairs of mourning doves can be seen perched together on branches, fence posts, or wires, often preening each other’s feathers as part of bonding rituals.
As sunset nears, mourning doves will fly to communal roost sites, settling down for the night huddled close beside other birds for warmth and protection. Their coos and courtship activities taper off as darkness falls.
Mid-Day Lulls in Activity
Unlike their behavior at dawn and dusk, mourning doves are much less active and vocal during the middle of the day when light levels are highest.
After leaving dawn feeding areas, mourning doves spend mid-morning hours resting on branches or wires, clinging to shaded sites when possible. They retreat to the cover of trees and shrubs, remaining fairly quiet and still in order to avoid drawing attention from predators.
As the sun passes its peak, mourning doves start to become more visible again in the late afternoon. They may sunbathe or preen to straighten feathers. The birds start making short flights to drink and bathe in puddles or bird baths.
By late afternoon, their ground feeding, interactions, courtship rituals, and vocalizations begin increasing again until dusk.
Factors Influencing Activity Patterns
While mourning doves follow a typical crepuscular pattern, their behavior and activity levels are influenced by a number of environmental factors.
Time of Year
Mourning doves exhibit some seasonal shifts in activity levels. During the late winter and early breeding season, adults are very active defending territories and courting mates. Their cooing reaches a peak at this time of year.
Once eggs hatch in the spring and summer, adults spend more time brooding and feeding young. They are less vocal and obvious during this nesting period. In the late summer and fall after nesting, mourning doves form large flocks that Feed actively together.
Weather
Temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, and wind all affect mourning dove behavior. On hot days, the birds are more likely to sit quietly in the shade. When it is rainy, foggy, or windy, mourning doves tend to remain sheltered in dense trees and bushes.
Activity increases on warm, calm days with sunshine when the birds can Feed efficiently and conditions are favorable for breeding. Colder temperatures may prompt larger roosting flocks huddling together at night.
Food and Water Availability
Mourning doves need abundant sources of seeds and grains to maintain their high metabolism. During periods of drought when food is scarce, the birds may Fly farther between spots searching for nourishment. Easy access to food like backyard bird feeders can concentrate activity.
Availability of drinking and bathing water also concentrates mourning dove activity. The birds are more likely to be active near irrigated lawns, leaks, or other shallow water sources that allow them to take frequent drinks.
Disturbances and Predators
Mourning doves are easily frightened by loud noises, fast movements, and perceived threats. They will temporarily stop cooing and freeze in place when alarmed before bursting into rapid Flight. Prolonged disturbance from machinery, traffic, or predators may make them more secretive.
Hawks, falcons, cats, raccoons, and snakes prey on mourning doves, prompting them to be more cautious and quiet. Hunting pressure often causes morning and evening activity peaks as the birds try to avoid these diurnal and nocturnal predators.
Conclusion
In summary, mourning doves exhibit peak activity levels and vocalizations during the dawn and dusk hours while reducing activity during the middle of the day. This crepuscular pattern is driven by the presence of predators, temperature extremes, and food availability. While mourning doves follow general daily trends, their behavior remains flexible in response to changing conditions in their environment.
Time of Day | Mourning Dove Activity Level |
---|---|
Early Morning | High |
Mid-Morning | Low |
Early Afternoon | Low |
Late Afternoon | Increasing |
Dusk | High |
Night | Low |