Doves are a type of bird that build simple nests in which to lay and incubate their eggs. The length of time between when a dove starts building a nest and when it lays eggs can vary based on the species of dove, geographic location, time of year, and other factors. Typically, doves will spend 1-2 weeks constructing a nest before laying their eggs.
Nesting Behavior of Doves
Doves are prolific nest builders and can construct new nests in just a few days. They prefer to build their nests in trees, shrubs, or on man-made structures like ledges on buildings or bridges. The male and female dove work together to build the nest, taking turns collecting twigs, grasses, roots, and other materials.
The male dove will initiate nest building by bringing material to a site and the female will join in to help construct the nest. Doves are monogamous and will often use the same nesting site year after year. However, they can also abandon a nest and start a new one if the site becomes unsafe.
Doves use their body weight to shape the nesting material into a shallow, loosely organized cup-shaped structure. The nests are flimsy and lack a firm foundation or rim. Nests are often so minimal that the eggs can be seen through the bottom while the dove is sitting on them.
Egg Laying
Once nest building is complete, the female dove will lay eggs. Most species lay 2 eggs per clutch. The eggs are white and elongate or oval shaped.
Doves can produce up to 6 clutches of eggs in a year with about a month in between each clutch. Not every clutch may be successful. Some factors that can limit the number of clutches include food availability, weather conditions, nest predation, and health of the doves.
The amount of time between completion of the nest and laying the first eggs can range from just a few days up to three weeks depending on circumstances. Here are some general guidelines:
– Mourning doves: 1-2 weeks from nest building to egg laying
– Common ground doves: 1-3 weeks
– White-winged doves: 1-2 weeks
– Eurasian collared doves: 1-3 weeks
– Ringneck doves: 1-2 weeks
The egg laying interval can be impacted by seasonal timing. For example, mourning doves nesting earlier in spring may have a shorter interval than those nesting later in summer. Food availability also plays a role. Doves with abundant food resources can progress to egg laying more quickly than those with limited food.
Additionally, dove pairs building a nest together for the first time may progress more slowly than experienced pairs that have worked together previously. First time nesters may take longer to coordinate their nest building efforts.
Other factors like weather, predators, and human disturbance can delay nesting too. Frequent interruptions force the doves to take more time to settle in and feel safe enough to lay eggs.
Incubation
Once the female has laid eggs, she will incubate them. Both the male and female take turns sitting on the nest. Incubation starts after the first egg is laid and takes about 2 weeks before the eggs hatch.
The dove needs to sit tight on the nest to keep the eggs warm. They are fed by their mate while incubating. Doves develop a brood patch during incubation. This is an area of featherless skin that helps transfer more body heat to the eggs.
If the eggs get chilled, embryos can die. Cool temperatures and being left unattended too long can result in failed incubation. However, mourning doves have successfully hatched eggs even during periodic nest abandonment.
Incubation is complete once the hatchlings break out of their shells. The nestlings are altricial, which means they are helpless, blind, and featherless. Both parents work together to feed the nestlings regurgitated “crop milk” and forage for seeds and insects to continue providing food as the babies grow.
Total Time from Nest Building to Hatching
The full nesting and egg laying timeline for doves, from initial nest construction to the hatching of their eggs, is approximately 3-6 weeks.
Here is a review of the complete process:
– Nest building: 1-3 weeks
– Egg laying: Over 1-2 weeks with 2 eggs per clutch
– Incubation: Approximately 14 days
– Hatching: After 14 days of incubation
So if a dove built a nest for 2 weeks, laid a 2 egg clutch over 4 days, and incubated them for the standard 14 days until hatching, the total time would be about 4 weeks.
However, the duration often varies between 3-6 weeks based on circumstances like seasonal timing, location, weather, food supply, and the birds’ previous experience. Late spring nesters may have a quicker cycle than midsummer nesters for example.
Factors that Influence Nesting Time
Many different factors can shift the typical timeline for doves when building nests and laying eggs:
Age and Experience
Younger doves tending their first clutch may take longer to construct a nest and begin egg laying. As parents become more experienced with multiple clutches over time, they often become more efficient at the nesting process.
Availability of Nesting Sites and Materials
Access to quality nesting locations and building supplies can accelerate or delay nest preparation. Migrating flocks arriving at the breeding grounds need time to scout sites and collect materials, extending the timeline.
Weather and Seasonal Conditions
Cooler temperatures, rain or wind can slow down nest building. Hot and dry conditions can speed it up. Spring and summer clutches tend to occur more quickly than those late in the fall.
Food Supply
Abundant food resources enable doves to complete nests and lay eggs faster. Limited food can delay egg production until their bodies are ready for reproduction.
Pair Bonds
Established mated pairs complete nests more rapidly than new pairs still bonding and coordinating their efforts. Familiarity helps increase efficiency.
Disruptions
Predators, human interference, storms, lack of nesting materials, or territorial disputes with other doves can interrupt nest preparation and extend the timeline.
Health and Condition
Sick, injured, or malnourished doves take longer to gain strength and rebuild reserves for egg production after challenging conditions. Their weakened state delays nesting.
Geographic Differences
Doves living in certain regions may nest and lay eggs on slightly different schedules. Here are some geographic variations:
Southern Locations
Warmer climates allow year-round breeding so nest preparation may happen faster. Doves don’t have to wait for spring thaws.
Northern Locations
Colder temperatures limit breeding seasons. Nesting won’t begin until fierce winter weather passes.
Low Elevations
More hospitable temperatures at lower altitudes encourage faster nesting compared to higher elevations.
High Elevations
Harsher conditions at altitude delay nest building. Doves wait longer for vegetation suitable for nest materials to grow.
Interior Locations
Landlocked sites experience wider temperature swings that influence nesting timeframes more than coastal areas with moderate weather year-round.
Coastal Locations
More stable seasonal conditions allow coast nesters to begin a little earlier on average.
Arid Climates
Scarce rainfall may extend timelines as doves wait for brief wet periods to gather mud and sticks.
Tropical Areas
Consistently ample rain and warmth help tropical doves nest faster on average. Materials are readily available.
Timing Through the Seasons
Nesting durations fluctuate through spring, summer, fall, and winter:
Spring
Energized by longer daylight hours, early spring triggers nesting activity after winter dormancy. First clutches happen quickly in mild conditions.
Summer
Peak breeding happens, but nesting may proceed a little slower in intense heat. More time to find shaded sites and materials.
Fall
Nest building often lasts longer as cooler weather sets in. Doves are preparing for potential winter breeding.
Winter
While many doves migrate or avoid nesting in harsh winter conditions, hardy breeds that tough it out take the longest to nest in challenging weather.
Conclusion
The amount of time doves take to construct a nest and lay eggs can vary from 3-6 weeks normally. This timeline is influenced by a number of factors including dove species, geographic location, seasonal timing, age of the birds, food availability, disruptions, access to nesting resources, and pair bonding.
While nest preparation typically lasts 1-3 weeks and egg laying may span 1-2 weeks, incubation takes a consistent 14 days. So under optimal springtime conditions, most doves are ready to start incubation about 3 weeks after they build their first nest. But colder weather, lack of materials, or other difficulties can easily extend the process closer to 6 weeks. Knowing the complications doves face is important when monitoring their breeding habits.
