Mourning Doves; Winter Bird Feeding

MOURNING DOVES 
(Zenaida macroura) 
 WINTER BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING

 Although millions of Mourning doves migrate South during the winter, many
remain in our area.

Mourning Doves are the most successful wild dove in North America, with a range from Alaska, Canada, Maine and as far south as Panama.

Mourning doves range extends as far south as Panama and the Caribbean    

Although most Mourning doves migrate south during the winter months, many stay in our area where they depend on back yard bird feeders for survival.

Joining other winter birds at feeders Mourning doves help clean the fallen seed
on the ground. 

Mourning doves feed on a vast assortment of seeds including weed seeds which makes it a valuable ally of farmers and gardeners. If you keep your bird feeders stocked Mourning doves will stay close, eating off the ground (gleaning) under feeders which helps keep that area clean.

Mourning doves tracking has proven that theses birds mate for life. 

Snow and ice make it difficult for these birds to scratch up seed, but there are a few things that you can do to help them. During the snowfall sprinkle seed on top to keep food in reach. If possible flatten an area and sprinkle the seed on that area. After a big storm I put cardboard on top of the snow and sprinkle the seed on top of that.

 I feed Mourning doves millet which is their favorite seed and black-oil sunflower seed because it is high in protein, also a favorite.

Mourning doves will utilize a heated birdbath for drinking water if you can provide it.

Water is the hardest resound for wildlife to find during the winter.  

Also known as 'Turtle Doves',Mourning doves are medium size birds around 5 to 6 ounces, with brown pointed wings and tail, white & black markings and a crescent on its neck. Males have blue and pink highlights on the head and around their eyes. The pointed falcon like wings give them the ability to reach reach speeds of 40 to 55 miles per hour.

Once in flight these birds fly fast and straight which makes it a hard target
for hunters to hit. One million are killed every year as a game bird. 

Mourning doves are related to the now extinct

 'Passenger pigions' once used to deliver messages.

Once traveling in flocks a mile long, Passenger Pigeons are now extinct. 

During takeoff Mourning doves flapping wings make a loud whirling sound and their strong feet enable then to push off the ground quickly. The call from the male is a hollow mournful coah, cooo, cooo.

Watching and listening to Mourning doves take flight is always fascinating.

Habitat is open farmlands, towns, roadsides, open grasslands and scrubs. 

I'll provide more information on Mourning Doves mating and raising their young in the spring.

Enjoy your garden all year long, 

James

Thanks to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon Field Guide and Wild Birds Unlimited

for the information in this article.

Winter Bird Feeding- Gleaning

EASY WINTER BIRD FEEDING: GLEANING




Cardinals are attracted to gray striped and black-oil sunflower seeds  

 

Many people would like to help feed birds during the winter but for various reasons do not want to get involved with tending bird feeders.  When the ground is frozen or covered with snow there is a simple technique you will appreciate and birds will love. Simply sprinkle seed on the ground.

 

White Crowned Sparrows prefer millet, black-oil sunflower seeds & peanut hearts

Gleaning is a type of foraging during which a bird will deliberately and methodically pick over an area to collect food; typically insects or seeds.  Many species that overwinter in our area use this method of feeding for at least part of their diet.  Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned sparrows, Mourning Doves and even Cardinals will frequent your garden to glean seeds off the ground.



Mourning Doves love Millet and Black-oil sunflower seeds 

 

The best seed for this type of feeding are black oil sunflower seeds or finch mix, without corn. The popular wild bird mixes contain a lot of corn which attracts many larger aggressive birds such as Starlings and Grackles which will chase your smaller, and more colorful birds away. 



Dark-eyed and Slate-colored Junco's like many types of seeds and products like pie crust.



Keep it as simple as possible. Scatter a cup or two of seed in the same area and birds will come back when they need to. I don't sprinkle too much at once because I don't want unnecessary and expensive waste. That will also help avoid left overs at night which will attract mice.



Give your birds an escape route from hawks and other predators

If you have an easily assessable area with a view from a window, that is perfect. Even if you are a devoted back yard bird watcher, tossing some seed on the ground will give your feathered friends more of a choice of areas in which to feed.

Enjoy your garden all year all.
James