Jan 29
2008
An Abundance of Mourning Doves
According to the bird experts, mourning doves are among the most abundant birds in the U.S. I can certainly vouch for that fact judging from the visitors at my backyard feeding station.
In fact, as part of my count for Project FeederWatch this past weekend, I counted 28 mourning doves at one time! So even though the average number of mourning doves in the FeederWatch program here in Maryland is five, they are, apparently, particularly abundant in my little part of the world.
Mourning Doves
It’s curious how their behaviors have changed since they have become accustomed to all the bird feeders. When I first started feeding and watching the birds, the mourning doves would arrive–usually in pairs–and feast on the ground below the feeders where seed would be spilled or dropped by the other birds. Over time, one of the birds became more bold and learned to land on the feeders-even the smaller feeders–to feast directly from the pickings. Then two birds, then three. After a while, all the mourning doves were eating directly from the feeders. Although they still feed from the ground when they are in large numbers, the feeders are often filled with mourning doves.
Did you know the whistling sound they make when they fly is actually from their wings?
Did you know that mourning doves are monogamous and form strong bonds as pairs? (More than you can say for many humans, eh?)
Did you know that the male mourning dove will escort his mate to potential nest sites for her to choose a location. (Real estate is, apparently, her decision.)
Did you know that more than 45 million mourning doves are killed by hunters each year, including in Wisconsin, where the mourning dove is also the official symbol of peace? (Wisconsin seems a bit confused.)
January 30th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Hi Robin,
I enjoy the MODOs at my feeder and in my yard. I have some spending the winter this year too. Minnesota added a mourning dove hunting season a few years ago which I think is one of the more stupider decisions our DNR has ever made!
January 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Did you know that mourning doves are some of the WORST nest-builders in the bird world? They even sometimes take up the old, decrepit nets of other birds–with not too much luck as a result, as you can imagine!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:41 am
I just love MODO’s but we don’t have that many at our feeders. We are lucky to get 6 or so.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:57 pm
We have a pair that love to hang out on our deck and wait for any dropped seeds from the feeders. I had no idea people actually hunted them…I wonder if Ohio has similar stats?
January 31st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Thanks for sharing this info on mourning doves.I love the sound they make…it reminds me of my childhood.