Thursday, January 14, 2010

Mourning Doves

Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are found throughout the North American continent.



Often seen in orchards and fields, they are ground feeders, eating some insects, but preferring seeds. My backyard feeders supply hulled sunflower nuts, black oil sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds, all of which keep them busy here throughout the year. They love to perch on the feeders and will appear to stuff themselves for long lengths of time. Mourning doves can eat up to 20 percent of their body weight in just one day!

The Mourning Dove is the most widespread game bird in North America. Millions are hunted annually, yet the population remains high. Because they are ground feeders, they often end up eating lead shot that has dropped in heavily hunted areas as they forage for their food.

I've never noticed a shortage of Mourning Doves in my yard! They mate for life, and return to the same roosting areas year after year. They are prolific breeders, raising up to six broods a year. Both parents raise each brood (of two) together. The Mourning Doves name may sound sad, but the coo cooh coo's are just gentle signals that all is well, and they are doing what they are here for: nesting and raising young. All is well in a yard with Mourning Doves!

--Today I am thankful for the mellow cooing of the mourning dove.



Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.

17 comments:

  1. What a sweet site. I found you through blotanical. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Great pictures Jan, and a nice write up of this bird. I always think of them asWimpy (from Popeye) not sure why. I guess it is the way they forage on the ground.

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  3. Jan - I love the doves! They are here in winter each year and spend so much time in my garden that I get to watch them through the windows. I've thought about adding a dovecote, but the houses are too expensive.

    Cameron

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  4. Such wonderful pictures Jan.
    I love watching the doves. They are comical because they kind of waddle when they walk. Just like me! LOL!

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  5. How lovely! I find the sound of their call so very soothing. We don't have any in our yard, but there are some at a park not too far from here and it's always a pleasure to hear them.

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  6. Beautiful photos! I enjoy mourning doves too.
    Carolyn

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  7. Their soft coo-ing sounds are great, too. Very nice collage! :-)

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  8. Wonderful photos, as always, Jan. Thanks for sharing them. -Jean

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  9. Jan, great photos. They are such gentle birds and I love having them in my gardens. To me their cooing is soothing. Also they are great at keeping the mess under the bird feeders cleaned up. :)

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  10. I have seen them up in the Okanagan, but never down here on the coast. They are lovely, and I really like the mosaic that you did with your photos.

    Jen

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  11. We have these here too(-: They are very fun to watch. There is never a shortage of them thats for sure!!!

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  12. Oh lordy, I thought you had killed some doves in your garden!! Don't think we have 'mourning doves' here so you can see where my worries arose. They are lovely, I hope they continue to visit your garden for many years to come xx

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  13. Hi Jan,
    Very nice captures of the gentle creatures. Mourning doves are quite happy to perch on the feeders throughout the day. I find the flutter of their wings comforting along with their unique coo-ing.
    I sure hope you and your family enjoyed your holidays.
    Meems

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  14. I love Mourning Doves, and their low musical cooing -- it always takes me back to a green summer twilight when visiting my grandparents.

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  15. What a lovely colour they are.

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  16. Good to know. I had no idea they were such prolific breeders. I always love to hear their call.

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  17. Amazingly enough mourning doves are still eating here. I love the sound they make when they fly. Their feathers are so beautifully understated. Blue Jays are here too, but most the rest of your bird visitors have left our cold garden for digs farther South. If I had wings I might be tempted to do the same!

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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment! Please enjoy your TODAY and all of the gifts in YOUR garden of life!

Jan

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