The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is one of the most common and widespread birds in North America, recognizable by its gentle cooing call. These birds frequently nest in suburban and urban environments, often in surprising locations. Unlike the intricate, woven cups built by many songbirds, a dove’s nest is minimal and can be difficult to spot. Understanding its simple construction and placement helps in identifying these breeding sites.
The Notoriously Flimsy Structure
A Mourning Dove’s nest is a haphazard, shallow platform that often appears unfinished or temporary. The structure is typically a loose assembly of thin materials, consisting of pine needles, grass stems, and small twigs laid in a crisscross pattern. These components are woven together into a flat, saucer-like base, which is usually about eight inches across and shallow.
The construction process is efficient and quick, often completed in just two to four days. The female arranges the material that the male brings to her. This minimalist approach results in a nest with little structural integrity; observers can sometimes see the eggs through the bottom. The nest is built just well enough to hold the clutch and the incubating parent.
Common Nesting Sites and Habits
Mourning Doves are adaptable when selecting a nest site, often choosing locations that offer support and concealment. They frequently place their nests in the crotch of a tree branch or within the dense foliage of a shrub or evergreen. These sites are typically low to mid-level, usually under 40 feet above the ground.
The doves show little concern for elaborate concealment and readily use artificial structures near human activity. Nesting on window ledges, gutters, hanging planters, or abandoned outdoor equipment is common. In areas where trees are scarce, they will sometimes nest directly on the ground in a camouflaged spot among tall grasses. A nest may be found virtually anywhere a flat, stable surface exists.
What Happens After the Nest is Built
Once the platform is complete, the female typically lays a small clutch of two white eggs. Both parents share the incubation duties for approximately 14 days, with the male usually taking the daytime shift and the female sitting on the nest through the night. The eggs are rarely left unattended during this period, ensuring a constant temperature for development.
The young, called squabs, hatch in a helpless state, covered sparsely in down. For the first three to four days, the parents feed the squabs a specialized, high-protein substance called “crop milk,” secreted from the lining of their crop. The young grow quickly. The parents gradually augment the diet with seeds until the squabs are ready to leave the nest, which occurs after 11 to 15 days. This rapid development allows doves to raise multiple broods, sometimes up to six, in a single breeding season.