Both the male and female mourning dove take turns sitting on the nest to incubate the eggs. However, the female takes on the majority of incubation duties while the male serves as a lookout and brings the female food. The mourning dove’s unique nesting habits are fascinating to observe.
Overview of Mourning Dove Nesting
Mourning doves are prolific breeders, with the mating season lasting from March to October in most parts of their range. Here is an overview of their nesting habits:
- Courtship: Males court females by flying up steeply and then diving with whistling wings. If she is receptive, the female will allow the male to perch nearby and mate with her.
- Nest Building: The male and female both gather sticks, grasses, and twigs to build a simple platform nest, usually in a tree or shrub 5-15 feet off the ground.
- Egg Laying: The female lays 1-2 white eggs per clutch, sometimes laying up to 6 clutches in a single breeding season.
- Incubation: Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about 14-15 days before they hatch.
- Chick Rearing: Both parents feed the chicks “crop milk,” a liquid regurgitated from their crops. Chicks fledge in 11-15 days.
The Female Does the Majority of Incubation
While both male and female mourning doves take turns sitting on the nest, the female takes on the bulk of incubation duties. Some key points about their incubation habits include:
- The female usually incubates during the night and in the very early morning.
- The male incubates for shorter sessions during the day so the female can forage for food.
- The female may spend up to 90% of daylight hours on the nest while the male is off standing guard.
- Both parents develop a bare brood patch of skin to transfer heat to the eggs.
The female’s greater share of incubation is likely because it allows the male to dedicate more time to standing watch against predators. The tall, exposed nests make mourning dove eggs and chicks quite vulnerable. The male’s constant vigilance provides essential protection.
The Male Stands Guard and Brings Food
While the female incubates, here are some of the key jobs the male mourning dove carries out:
- Perching nearby to stand watch for predators
- Chasing away intruders like jays, crows, and squirrels
- Foraging for food to bring back to the female
- Providing some occasional incubation breaks for the female
The male dove’s contributions are critically important for protecting the nest site and ensuring the female has enough nourishment to successfully incubate the eggs and raise the hatchlings.
Standing Guard
The male mourning dove often perches on a nearby tree branch or wire where he has a clear view of the nest. From here, he keeps a vigilant watch for any potential predators that may threaten the nest. Some things he stays alert for include:
- Snakes that can climb up nest trees
- Crows or jays mobbing the nest area
- Squirrels and chipmunks that raid nests for eggs
- Hawks and falcons patrolling from above
- Cats or raccoons hunting from below
The male gives a warning call at the first sign of danger, signaling the female to hunker down tight over the eggs and chicks. He may also take bold action, diving and screaming at intruders to drive them away from the vulnerable nest.
Foraging for Food
In addition to standing guard, the male also tirelessly gathers food to bring back to the incubating female. Some key facts about his foraging habits include:
- Forages up to one mile or more away from the nest
- Primarily eats small seeds, grains, berries, and buds
- Can fill his crop with food to regurgitate to the female and chicks
- Both parents develop “pigeon milk” to feed hatchlings
The male’s constant food deliveries are critical, as the female may refuse to leave the eggs exposed even for short feeding trips. His diligent efforts ensure she gets adequate nutrition during the draining process of incubation.
Division of Labors Varies by Location
While the female mourning dove does the majority of incubating in most regions, the precise division of labor varies across their vast range. Here are some factors that can influence nesting duties:
- Food availability: Less foraging required if food is plentiful
- Predation levels: More vigilance needed in areas with high predator populations
- Weather conditions: Challenging weather may require sharing duties
- Breeding stage: Males tend to help more with feedings after hatching
- Time of season: More shared duties early and late in season
So while the female playing the primary incubation role is typical, local conditions may lead to more cooperative nesting in some mourning dove populations. Their flexible approach helps ensure success across diverse habitats.
Incubation Schedule Differs from Other Doves
When compared with other dove and pigeon species, the mourning dove exhibits some unique nesting behaviors:
- In most pigeons, males and females share incubation equally.
- Inca doves show similar female-dominated incubation like mourning doves.
- Other doves have shorter incubation shifts lasting just 30-60 minutes.
- Mourning doves have longer female-attended periods up to 4-6 hours.
The mourning dove’s pattern of female-skewed incubation duty is likely an adaptation to their nesting in exposed sites. It may reduce activity that could draw predator attention while allowing more male vigilance.
Conclusion
In summary, while mourning dove fathers play an important role, the breeding pair adopts a division of labor that places the bulk of incubation responsibilities on the female. Her tireless dedication to warming the eggs around the clock is supported by the male standing guard and provisioning her with regular meals. This teamwork allows the adaptable mourning dove to raise young across an impressive range of habitats.
