Understanding the Mourning Dove’s Natural Diet
Mourning doves, with their gentle cooing and graceful presence, are a common and welcome sight in many North American backyards. Their calming call and peaceful nature make them a favorite among bird enthusiasts. Attracting these beautiful birds to your property can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to understand their dietary needs to provide them with the proper nourishment. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the best foods for mourning doves, ensuring they thrive in your backyard oasis.
The secret to attracting and supporting a healthy mourning dove population lies in understanding their natural feeding habits. Mourning doves are primarily ground feeders, meaning they prefer to forage for food on the ground rather than perching on feeders. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, grains, and a little bit of grit.
Primary Food Source: Seeds
Seeds are the cornerstone of the mourning dove diet, providing them with essential fats and energy to fuel their activities. Offering a variety of seeds will attract more doves and ensure they receive a balanced nutritional intake. Here are some of the most popular and beneficial seeds for mourning doves:
- Sunflower seeds: Particularly black oil sunflower seeds, are a mourning dove favorite. These seeds are packed with oil, providing doves with a high-energy food source, especially important during colder months and breeding season. Their small size also makes them easy for the doves to handle.
- Safflower seeds: These white, slightly bitter seeds are another excellent option. While many other birds, like squirrels and starlings, tend to avoid safflower seeds, mourning doves readily consume them. This can make safflower seeds a great way to target doves specifically while deterring other unwanted guests.
- Millet: Small, round millet seeds are highly palatable to mourning doves and are often a component of wild birdseed mixes. Red proso millet is particularly attractive to these birds.
- Cracked corn: This provides carbohydrates. Make sure the corn is cracked into small pieces that are easily digestible by smaller birds like doves.
- Wheat: Wheat is another grain that mourning doves will readily eat. It can be offered as a standalone grain or included in a mixed birdseed blend.
- Oats: Doves will also eat oats. You can offer them whole oats or rolled oats (the kind used for oatmeal), but be sure to avoid instant oatmeal mixes, which can contain added sugars and other unhealthy ingredients.
- Other native grass seeds: Including native grass seeds in your backyard landscaping can provide a natural food source for mourning doves. These seeds are often smaller and more easily digestible than commercially available birdseed.
Supplementing with Grains and Legumes
While seeds form the bulk of their diet, mourning doves also benefit from grains and legumes. These foods provide additional carbohydrates and protein, supplementing their seed intake and contributing to a well-rounded diet.
- Grain sorghum (milo): This is a common component in many birdseed mixes, providing a valuable source of energy.
- Peas and Beans: Though they primarily eat seeds, mourning doves may occasionally consume small peas or beans, providing them with a source of protein.
Grit and Minerals
Grit, consisting of small pebbles or sand, is essential for mourning doves to properly digest seeds. Because birds do not have teeth, grit helps them to grind up seeds in their gizzard, aiding in the digestive process.
Mineral supplements, especially calcium, are particularly important for female doves during the breeding season. Calcium is crucial for eggshell formation, ensuring the development of healthy chicks.
You can provide grit by scattering a small amount of bird-specific grit on the ground near the feeding area. Commercial birdseed mixes often contain small amounts of grit. For mineral supplements, you can offer crushed oyster shells or a commercially available mineral supplement for birds.
Occasional Treats, with Caution
While seeds, grains, and grit make up the core of their diet, mourning doves may occasionally consume other food items in small quantities. Berries, small insects, and other naturally occurring items may supplement their diet. However, it’s crucial to avoid offering them certain foods that can be harmful to their health. Under no circumstances should you feed mourning doves bread, processed foods, or anything containing artificial sweeteners. These foods lack essential nutrients and can cause digestive problems or even be toxic.
Setting Up a Feeding Station for Mourning Doves
Providing a well-designed feeding station can significantly increase the number of mourning doves that visit your yard. Here are some tips for setting up an effective and safe feeding area:
Choosing the Right Feeder
Mourning doves are ground feeders, so the most suitable feeders are those that allow them to feed comfortably on the ground.
- Ground feeders: These are simply trays or platforms placed directly on the ground. They allow doves to easily access the seeds and grains, mimicking their natural foraging behavior.
- Platform feeders: These feeders are slightly elevated platforms on legs or stands. They offer similar advantages to ground feeders but can help protect the food from ground moisture and some pests.
- Avoid feeders that are too small or enclosed: Mourning doves are relatively large birds, and they need ample space to move around and forage comfortably. Avoid tube feeders or feeders with small perches, as these are not well-suited for their size and feeding style.
Location, Location, Location
The location of your feeding station is crucial for attracting doves and ensuring their safety.
- Choose a spot with open space: Doves need a clear line of sight and ample room to take off and land. Avoid placing feeders in areas with dense vegetation or obstructions that could hinder their movement.
- Provide some cover nearby: While doves need open space, they also appreciate having some cover nearby, such as shrubs or trees. This provides them with a safe haven to retreat to if they feel threatened by predators.
- Consider drainage: Choose a spot with good drainage to prevent seeds from becoming moldy or waterlogged. Poor drainage can create unsanitary conditions that can attract pests and spread disease.
Keeping Feeders Clean
Regular cleaning is essential for preventing the spread of disease among birds. Dirty feeders can harbor bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens that can harm mourning doves and other wildlife.
- Recommended cleaning methods: Wash feeders regularly with warm, soapy water. For a more thorough cleaning, use a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). Rinse feeders thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residual soap or bleach.
- Frequency of cleaning: Clean feeders at least once every two weeks, or more frequently if you notice signs of mold, mildew, or bird droppings.
Water Source
Access to fresh, clean water is just as important as food for mourning doves. Birds need water for drinking, bathing, and regulating their body temperature.
- Options for providing water: Bird baths are a popular choice for providing water to birds. Choose a bird bath with a shallow basin and a rough surface to provide secure footing. You can also use shallow dishes or saucers filled with water.
- Keeping the water clean: Change the water in bird baths and dishes regularly to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. Clean bird baths at least once a week with a brush and soapy water.
- Preventing freezing in winter: In colder climates, use a bird bath heater to prevent the water from freezing.
Avoiding Harmful Foods and Practices
While providing food can be beneficial, it’s essential to avoid feeding doves anything that could be harmful to their health.
Foods to Avoid
- Bread: Bread offers little nutritional value and can fill up birds without providing them with the essential nutrients they need. It can also cause digestive problems.
- Salty foods: Excessive salt intake can be harmful to birds, leading to dehydration and other health problems.
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to birds.
- Avocados: Avocados contain persin, which can be toxic to birds.
- Processed foods: Processed foods often contain high levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which can be detrimental to bird health.
Potential Hazards
- Overcrowding at feeders: Overcrowding can increase the risk of disease transmission among birds. Provide multiple feeders or spread the food out to prevent overcrowding.
- Pesticide use: Pesticides can be harmful to birds and their food sources. Avoid using pesticides in your yard, especially near feeding areas.
- Predators: Cats and hawks can pose a threat to mourning doves. Take steps to minimize risks, such as providing cover near feeders and keeping cats indoors.
- Moldy seeds or feed: Always inspect birdseed for signs of mold or mildew before offering it to birds. Discard any contaminated feed.
Seasonal Considerations
The dietary needs of mourning doves can vary depending on the time of year. Adjusting your feeding practices to meet these seasonal needs can help ensure their health and well-being.
Spring and Summer
During the spring and summer months, doves require high-energy foods to support breeding and raising young.
- Focus on high-energy foods: Offer a variety of seeds and grains rich in fats and protein, such as black oil sunflower seeds and millet.
- Ensure access to grit and minerals: Provide adequate grit and mineral supplements, especially for female doves during eggshell development.
Fall and Winter
As temperatures drop, doves need to build up fat reserves to survive the winter months.
- Increase food supply: Provide a consistent and abundant food supply to help doves build up fat reserves.
- Consider heated bird baths: If you live in a cold climate, consider providing a heated bird bath to prevent the water from freezing.
- Maintain a regular feeding schedule: Maintaining a consistent feeding schedule will help doves rely on your yard as a reliable food source.
Attracting Mourning Doves to Your Yard (Beyond Food)
While food is a key factor in attracting mourning doves, there are other things you can do to make your yard more appealing to these birds.
- Native Plants: Incorporate native grasses and seed-bearing plants into your landscaping. These plants provide a natural food source for doves and other wildlife.
- Dust Baths: Mourning doves enjoy taking dust baths to help remove parasites and maintain their feathers. Provide a shallow, dusty area in your yard for dust bathing.
- Roosting Spots: Create safe places for doves to roost, such as dense shrubs or trees.
Conclusion
Providing the right food and creating a welcoming environment can significantly increase the number of mourning doves that visit your yard. By understanding their dietary needs and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure that these beautiful birds thrive in your backyard oasis. Enjoy the peaceful cooing and graceful presence of mourning doves as they become a regular part of your landscape. Remember to always prioritize their health and safety by providing clean feeders, fresh water, and avoiding harmful foods and practices.
