Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Mourning Doves are beautiful and common birds coast-to-coast across the United States. They are named for their mournful but soothing calls. Thus, they are a favorite feeder bird of many.
Do you want to attract Mourning Doves to your feeder? Follow the suggestions below.
 |
| Mourning Dove |
Why attract Mourning Doves to your bird feeder?
Mourning Doves get along well with other birds at the feeder. Though they are large, they are not aggressive. They feed peaceably with other smaller birds. So, they are a joy to have at your feeder.
Mourning Doves are easy to attract. They eat a wide variety of seeds and are not picky. They may be some of the first birds to visit your feeder.
They eat weed seeds, so can benefit your yard and garden. They can actually help control yard weeds.
They often eat on the ground, cleaning up under the feeder. They help keep rodents away from feeder by eating the spilled bird seed.
 |
| Mourning Dove |
What foods will attract Mourning Doves to your feeder?
Mourning Doves eat a wide variety of grains and seeds.
Attract them to your feeder with black oil sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn.
This combination of seeds is found in most generic mixed bird seed. The bird seed that Mourning Doves eat is inexpensive compared to specialty bird foods.
My favorite mixed bird seed is Wagner’s Songbird Supreme. It doesn’t have any cheap filler seeds that many native birds won’t eat. Birds love it all! And Mourning Doves are no exception.
I also recommend what’s called a quail seed block. It is a block of bird seed held together with gelatin or molasses. It lasts much longer than loose seed. That’s a good thing.
It has seeds that are especially attractive to doves, quail, and house sparrows. As such, it helps keep these larger or more numerous (and hungry) birds away from your other feeders that are filled with specialty or gourmet bird foods.
Seed blocks and black oil sunflower seed are often less expensive at a farm store near you.
 |
| Mourning Dove |
What kind of feeders do Mourning Doves like?
Mourning Doves prefer to eat on the ground. For instance, they love the seed blocks mentioned above right on the ground.
Otherwise, a large platform feeder is perfect for them.
Despite their larger size, Mourning Doves sometimes squeeze onto the trays of small hopper bird feeders. They then keep the other smaller birds from feeding. Or they tip the feeders over or knock them to the ground.
Where to place your bird feeder for Mourning Doves
You can scatter bird seed for Mourning Doves on the bare ground, gravel, or cement patio.
You can place a seed block on the ground or a raised platform.
Platform feeders can be low, or perhaps need to be raised to keep out of reach of deer or (in my yard) javelinas.
As doves are heavy, a hanging platform might not work as well, unless you can keep it from spinning and swaying in the wind. Such feeders may tip over or bend a shepherds hook bird feeder pole. A ground platform feeder is better for doves.
The general rule for bird feeders is to place them within 8 feet of your windows or over 30 feet away. The reason is that close to the house the birds are not going very fast when they are startled. They see their reflection in the window and can veer off in time. If you have many bird window strikes you may need to experiment with your feeder placement.
 |
| Mourning Dove |
How else can you attract Mourning Doves to your yard?
After eating, Mourning Doves want a big drink. They need water. Mourning Doves take frequent baths, too. Whether you purchase a decorative bird bath, or use a flowerpot saucer on the ground, the doves will appreciate it!
Mourning Doves eat grit to aid in digesting their food. So you may see them on road edges or gravel driveway eating small bits of stone.
Mourning Doves will nest on special shelves or nesting cones. These birds will nest under your eves or in a carport.
 |
| Mourning Dove |
Problems with feeding Mourning Doves: If you have attracted too many to your feeder
There are many reasons why you might not want to attract Mourning Doves to your yard.
Some people just don’t like doves and pigeons.
Mourning Doves eat quickly and eat quite a lot. They swallow the seeds whole and store them in an organ called a crop. Then they digest them later.
As a result, too many Mourning Doves can empty your bird feeders quickly.
Even though they aren’t aggressive, they can hog a feeder and keep smaller birds from fitting in.
Plus, too many doves will make an excrement mess. Those bird droppings can splatter your yard furniture and cars.
Mourning Doves do not like peanuts in the shell and large nuts. They aren’t supposed to like the harder striped sunflower seeds, either. They won’t eat suet.
Mourning Doves will have a hard time eating from a tube feeder. They are too wide to fit on the perch.
Wrapping Up
Mourning Doves get their name due to the mournful sound of their cooing call, which has been likened to a human sigh or wail. Here’s a deeper dive into why this name was chosen:
The Call:
- The characteristic call of a mourning dove is a long, drawn-out “coooo-WOOO”, repeated several times.
- This call is most often heard in the early morning or evening, contributing to its melancholic association.
- Some people describe the sound as sad, lonely, or mournful, hence the dove’s name.
Historical Context:
- The mournful nature of the call was noted by early settlers in North America.
- In some Native American cultures, the call was associated with bad omens or spirits of the departed, further reinforcing the mournful connotation.
- The scientific name, Zenaida macroura, also reflects this association, with “Zenaida” potentially derived from a Greek word for “sorrowful cry.”
Interesting Tidbits:
- Despite the name, Mourning Doves are not particularly melancholy birds. They are social creatures with lively breeding displays and complex calls beyond the mournful coo.
- The call plays a significant role in communication, attracting mates, defending territories, and expressing stress or alarm.
- Despite its mournful perception, the call is deeply ingrained in human culture, inspiring poems, songs, and artworks throughout history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if a Mourning Dove visits you?
The meaning of a Mourning Dove visiting you is largely rooted in personal belief and cultural interpretations, as there’s no scientific basis for attributing specific events to animal behavior. However, here are some common interpretations you might encounter:
- Peace and hope: The dove is often seen as a symbol of peace and tranquility due to its gentle nature and cooing call. Some perceive its visit as a message of calm, hope, or an approaching positive change.
- Love and remembrance: In some cultures, doves are associated with love and connection. Their visit could be interpreted as a reminder of loved ones who have passed or a message of love from afar.
- Renewal and transformation: Depending on your beliefs, the dove’s visit might symbolize new beginnings, personal growth, or a time for positive change.
Is it rare to see a mourning dove?
Mourning doves are actually not at all rare in North America. They are one of the most abundant and widespread bird species on the continent, with an estimated population of over 350 million individuals!
They can be found across most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, adapting to various habitats like woodlands, open fields, parks, and even urban areas. So, you have a good chance of spotting one if you spend time outdoors.
However, their visibility might vary depending on several factors:
- Season: They are more active and vocal during their spring breeding season, so you might notice them more frequently then.
- Habitat: They prefer areas with open ground and scattered trees, making them less common in dense forests.
- Time of day: They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so your chances of seeing them increase during those times.
- Urban environment: In highly urbanized areas, their numbers might be lower compared to more rural or natural settings.
So, while not rare, they might not be constantly in your immediate sight. Observing them requires some awareness of their preferred habitats, activity patterns, and seasonal changes.
Are Mourning Doves good to have in your yard?
Yes, Mourning Doves are generally considered good to have in your yard for several reasons:
- Insect control: They help control insect populations by feeding on caterpillars, beetles, and other insects found in gardens and lawns.
- Seed dispersal: They contribute to plant diversity by consuming and dispersing seeds through their droppings.
- Peaceful and quiet: They are known for their gentle nature and soothing cooing calls, adding a calming presence to your outdoor space.
- Visually appealing: Their graceful movements and delicate features can be aesthetically pleasing to observe.
- Low maintenance: They don’t require any special care and readily adapt to various backyard environments.
- Attract other birds: Mourning Doves often share bird feeders with other songbirds, increasing the diversity of birds in your yard.
Related Articles:
Why aren’t birds coming to your feeder?
Next in series: Irresistible! Attract Black-capped Chickadees to your feeder
