What Seeds Do Mourning Doves Eat? The Diet of Gentle Cooers
Mourning doves primarily consume a wide variety of small seeds, making up 99% of their diet. They are particularly fond of grass seeds, weeds, and cultivated grains.
Understanding the Mourning Dove’s Seed-Centric Diet
The mourning dove, known for its gentle cooing song and graceful flight, is a ubiquitous bird across North America. While their tranquil demeanor might suggest a delicate palate, their dietary habits are quite practical. Mourning doves are primarily granivores, meaning seeds form the cornerstone of their nutritional intake. This seed-centered diet allows them to thrive in a variety of habitats, from grasslands and agricultural fields to suburban backyards. Understanding the specific seeds they prefer can help us appreciate their ecological role and potentially even attract these beautiful birds to our gardens.
Key Seed Preferences of Mourning Doves
Mourning doves aren’t particularly picky eaters when it comes to seeds. However, they do exhibit preferences, often selecting smaller seeds that are easier to digest and manage with their relatively small beaks.
Grass Seeds: These are a staple in the mourning dove diet. They are readily available in grasslands and fields, making them a reliable food source. Examples include:
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Fescue
- Timothy Grass
Weed Seeds: From common agricultural weeds to those found in disturbed areas, weed seeds are a significant part of their diet. Look for:
- Ragweed
- Pigweed
- Foxtail
- Sunflower seeds dropped by other birds. (They prefer smaller, cracked sunflowers.)
Cultivated Grains: In agricultural areas, mourning doves readily consume cultivated grains like:
- Wheat
- Corn (especially cracked corn)
- Sorghum
- Millet
Beyond Seeds: A Tiny Supplement
While seeds constitute the vast majority of their diet, mourning doves occasionally supplement their intake with other materials, especially during breeding season. These supplements often include:
- Grit: Small pebbles or sand that aid in digestion by grinding seeds in the gizzard.
- Snails/Insects: While rare, they will occasionally consume small snails or insects, likely for protein and calcium, particularly important for egg-laying females.
The Benefits of a Seed-Based Diet
A seed-based diet offers several advantages for mourning doves.
- Abundance: Seeds are typically abundant, particularly in agricultural and grassland environments.
- Energy-Rich: Seeds are a concentrated source of energy, allowing doves to maintain their active lifestyles.
- Long-Term Storage: Seeds can be stored for extended periods, ensuring a consistent food supply, even during leaner times.
The Mourning Dove’s Feeding Process
Mourning doves are ground feeders. They forage for seeds on the ground, often in open areas where they can easily spot predators. Their feeding process involves:
- Locating Seeds: Using their excellent eyesight to spot seeds on the ground.
- Picking up Seeds: Pecking at seeds with their beak and swallowing them whole.
- Storing in Crop: Temporarily storing seeds in their crop (a pouch in their esophagus).
- Digestion: Slowly digesting the stored seeds over time. The grit they ingest helps with this process.
Attracting Mourning Doves to Your Backyard
If you want to attract mourning doves to your backyard, providing a consistent source of their preferred seeds is key. Consider:
- Offering a Variety of Seeds: Including a mix of grass seeds, millet, and cracked corn.
- Using a Ground Feeder: Mourning doves prefer to feed on the ground, so a platform feeder or simply scattering seeds on the ground is ideal.
- Providing a Water Source: A shallow bird bath will provide doves with a place to drink and bathe.
- Creating a Safe Environment: Offering open spaces with nearby cover allows doves to feel safe from predators.
Common Mistakes When Feeding Mourning Doves
- Using Inappropriate Feeders: Avoid tube feeders or feeders with small openings, as doves may have difficulty accessing the seeds.
- Offering Stale or Moldy Seeds: Always use fresh, high-quality seeds to prevent the spread of disease.
- Overfeeding: Avoid putting out excessive amounts of seeds, as this can attract unwanted pests like rodents.
- Ignoring Sanitation: Regularly clean feeders and surrounding areas to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mourning Dove Diets
What is the most common seed that mourning doves eat?
The most common seeds consumed by mourning doves are typically those that are readily available in their habitat. This often translates to grass seeds and weed seeds being the dominant components of their diet, especially in rural areas.
Do mourning doves eat sunflower seeds?
Yes, mourning doves will eat sunflower seeds, particularly smaller, cracked varieties. However, they generally prefer smaller seeds like millet or grass seeds, making sunflower seeds a secondary food source.
Do mourning doves eat cracked corn?
Absolutely. Cracked corn is a favorite among mourning doves, especially during colder months when other food sources are scarce. It provides a high-energy boost for these birds.
What do baby mourning doves eat?
Baby mourning doves, also called squabs, are fed crop milk, a nutritious substance produced by both parents in their crops. This “milk” is rich in protein and fat, providing the necessary nutrients for rapid growth. They transition to seeds as they mature.
Do mourning doves eat birdseed mixes?
Yes, mourning doves will eat birdseed mixes, but they tend to prefer certain components of the mix over others. Look for mixes high in millet, cracked corn, and smaller seeds.
Do mourning doves eat thistle seed?
While mourning doves can consume thistle seed (also known as Nyjer seed), it’s not a preferred food source. The small size and oily nature of Nyjer seed aren’t ideal for their feeding style. Other birds, like finches, are better suited to eat thistle.
Do mourning doves eat bread?
Although they may occasionally nibble on bread, it’s not a healthy food source for mourning doves. Bread offers little nutritional value and can lead to malnutrition if consumed regularly.
How much do mourning doves eat in a day?
Mourning doves can consume a significant amount of seeds daily, potentially up to 15-20% of their body weight. This amount can vary depending on the availability of food and the individual bird’s energy needs.
Do mourning doves cache seeds?
No, mourning doves do not typically cache or store seeds for later consumption. They are opportunistic feeders that consume seeds as they find them.
Do mourning doves eat more seeds during the winter?
Yes, mourning doves often increase their seed consumption during the winter months to maintain their body temperature and energy levels in colder conditions.
Are there any seeds that are toxic to mourning doves?
Generally, most seeds are safe for consumption. However, seeds that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides can be harmful to mourning doves. Always ensure the seeds you provide are clean and untreated. Additionally, avoid offering seeds that contain toxins.
Can I attract mourning doves to my garden by planting specific plants?
Yes, planting native grasses and plants that produce small seeds can attract mourning doves to your garden. Examples include sunflowers, coneflowers, and various native grasses. These provide a natural and sustainable food source for the birds.